Location
American Airlines uses Terminal 8 at JFK Airport in New York. Due to the pandemic, American Airlines has closed all of its Flagship Lounges and some Admiral Club locations. At JFK, they closed their Admiral Club location near Gate #42 and moved it to the Flagship Lounge on the mezzanine level after the Concourse B security checkpoint. Essentially, the Flagship Lounge is now repurposed as an Admiral Club temporarily…hopefully.
What’s the difference between the Flagship Lounge and Admiral Club? Huge. AA has only six Flagship Lounges, but several dozen Admiral Clubs. The Admiral Clubs are a nice, simple respite before your flight. They offer a relatively private space (compared to the seating by the gate) with comfortable seats, televisions, food (simple and more akin to snacks), power outlets, and a bar with a limited selection of complimentary alcoholic drinks. Better food (no so great either) and top-shelf alcohol are available for purchase. The Flagship Lounges are more exclusive and require higher standards to access them. Space is more private, food is legitimate. You can have a real, enjoyable meal with plenty of options in every food category possible. No upcharge for anything. The bar offers top shelve liquor and craft beers, and shower facilities are available if needed. High-speed wifi is available at both lounges.
Access
Access to the Admiral Clubs is a bit convoluted and AA has recently changed their policy because of the pandemic–so the policy may change again soon. Here’s the gist of how to gain access.
Admirals Club members
Includes annual and lifetime members, Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard primary cardholders, ConciergeKey members and AirPass members with Admirals Club privileges.
Qualifying First and Business
For a limited time: Starting April 1, 2021, qualifying international flights will include flights between the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Includes customers in first or business on a qualifying departing international or transcontinental flight marketed and operated by American or a oneworld airline.
Qualifying AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum
For a limited time: Starting April 1, 2021, qualifying international flights will include flights between the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Includes customers on qualifying departing international flights marketed and operated by American or a oneworld airline (regardless of cabin).
Non-AAdvantage oneworld Emerald and Sapphire
Includes customers on all departing flights marketed and operated by American or a oneworld airline (regardless of cabin).
Admirals Club® One-Day Pass customers
Anyone flying on American or a oneworld partner can purchase a day pass for $59. I can’t ever imagine that a visit would be worth that price for what is offered.
Food
The Admiral Clubs offered basic items which can be considered a light meal or snack. You may fare better with breakfast options like cereal, hard-boiled eggs, granola, fruit, yogurt, and a few baked items. Lunch and dinner consists a limited salad, soup, and a few limited sandwich items. Coffee, tea, juice, soda, and water are always available.
Bottom Line
The Admiral Club at JFK is a solid lounge. It satisfies the purpose of providing a nice place to relax with some amenities before your flight. In my experience, the staff is always friendly and willing to provide good service. The lounge was almost empty during my visit, and it was extremely clean and organized. I always enjoy the views, as well. You can see the Freedom Tower in the background.
I’ve been fortunate to visit many airport lounges over the years. Many of them are far better and the Admiral Club at JFK wasn’t anything special, but any lounge is better than no lounge. This lounge was clean, had plenty of seating, a decent dedicated television room, some food, nice staff, and good views for planespotting. No complaints.
My hometown airport is JFK, so I frequent this lounge on a regular basis. I hope and expect it to be reconverted back to a Flagship Lounge in the near future which offers a vastly better experience overall–but I would certainly be okay with having a lounge experience like this one anytime I fly.
Have you had an opportunity to visit the Admiral Club/Flagship Lounge at JFK? What did you think?
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