Transporting over 200 million passengers per year, American Airlines (AAL) has three types of lounges accessible to its high-fare and most loyal travelers: more than 50 Admirals Club locations across the country, a new grab-and-go Provisions concept currently being tested in Charlotte and its top-tier Flagship lounge offering.
As of August 2025, the airline operates five Flagship lounges in large airports across the U.S. The new 13,750-square-foot Philadelphia space opened only last May and features both signature Flagship amenities such as shower suites and specialty table service dining as well as local touches like artwork of the Liberty Bell and the U.S. Constitution.
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American says Charlotte “incredibly important” to its network, announces new Flagship lounge
On Aug. 28, American Airlines announced that it will also bring the Flagship concept to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in what is now slated to be the airline's sixth premium lounge. The decision comes as the airline continues work to expand this regional hub and its regional partner PSA Airlines also prepares to relocate its headquarters to Charlotte in 2026.
“Charlotte is incredibly important to American’s network,” Ralph Lopez, American’s SVP of CLT Operations for American, said in a statement. “We serve millions of customers as they travel through CLT, and we’re excited to continue to elevate their experience when traveling with us.”
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Without revealing many details about the timeframe or size of the Flagship lounge beyond what is standard for the concept, American said that travelers through Charlotte “can expect the same level of luxury in the new Flagship and Admirals Club lounges as well as design elements that are thoughtfully curated to balance style, comfort and function.”
Image source: Veronika Bondarenko
What is an American Airlines Flagship lounge and who can access it?
Other features included in all five Flagship lounges include a staff member greeting those who enter with a glass of champagne and a premium menu designed by a local chef. Existing Admirals Club lounges in CLT are located in Concourses B and C/D while the new Provisions by Admirals Club location opened near Gate A1 earlier in August.
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“As an airline, we’re committed to meeting the needs of our customers, and we’re excited to continue to invest in our lounges at CLT,” American's Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden said in a statement. “These improvements will introduce a premium experience for our Flagship customers and provide more space in our Admirals Club lounges.”
Flagship lounge access is granted to high-fare and elite status travelers on transcontinental international flights. Access to premium lounges is also shared with partner airlines; American Airlines travelers with elite status can access the British Airways international first class lounge at London Heathrow (LHR) while high-status British Airways can go to Flagship lounges on trips from the U.S.
On American's side, the status that allows one to use the Flagship lounges on international flights is Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum — to qualify for the latter, one needs to accumulate 75,000 points with the airline in a given year.
While point-per-dollar collection ramps up to accumulate faster for frequent travelers, qualifying for this type status still requires spending tens of thousands of dollars a year and then continuing to do so to maintain it.
Related: I was in the swanky new American Airlines Flagship lounge — here's what it was like
