My inbound flight from London Heathrow was a bit early but getting through customs and security is a small nightmare here at LAX. Especially as TSA agents here don’t seem to really care about you. As they declined my TSA Pre-Check, but that’s a different story. After making it through security I headed straight for terminal 4. My connecting flight was on an American Eagle flight out of the remote terminal, better known as Eagles Nest. There is a bus driving between Terminal 4 and the remote terminal about every 5-10 minutes. As I had plenty of time left, I decided to visit the Flagship Lounge in Terminal 4. There is a tunnel connecting Terminal 4 and 5 and the lounge can be accessed by either terminal without going through security again.
Normally I wouldn’t be able to visit the Flagship Lounge as an Executive Platinum member traveling domestically on American Airlines. However, my inbound flight was an international flight which qualified me to access the lounge as an Executive Platinum elite and because I was flying Business Class. As at many American Airlines Lounge locations, the Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge share the same entrance.
- First and Business Class passengers traveling to Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe, Mexico City (MEX), New Zealand, South America (First Class Passengers are allowed one guest) marketed and operated by American Airlines or a oneworld® airline.
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum elites traveling to Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe, Mexico City (MEX), New Zealand, South America (one guest permitted) marketed and operated by American Airlines or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin).
- ConciergeKey members departing on or connecting to any flight marketed and operated by American Airlines or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin). Immediate family (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18) or up to 2 guests.
- oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire elites departing on or connecting to any flight marketed and operated by American Airlines or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin). One guest permitted.
- Chef-inspired meals
- Personalized service
- Premium wine table
- Expansive seating
- Shower Suites
- Newspapers
- Departure Monitors
- Workstations and work tables to setup your laptop
daily from 4:45 a.m. until 1:00 a.m.
- Location
- Access
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- First and Business Class passengers traveling to Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe, Mexico City (MEX), New Zealand, South America (First Class Passengers are allowed one guest) marketed and operated by American Airlines or a oneworld® airline.
- AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum elites traveling to Asia, Australia, Central America, Europe, Mexico City (MEX), New Zealand, South America (one guest permitted) marketed and operated by American Airlines or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin).
- ConciergeKey members departing on or connecting to any flight marketed and operated by American Airlines or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin). Immediate family (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18) or up to 2 guests.
- oneworld® Emerald and Sapphire elites departing on or connecting to any flight marketed and operated by American Airlines or a oneworld® airline (regardless of cabin). One guest permitted.
- Amenities
-
- Chef-inspired meals
- Personalized service
- Premium wine table
- Expansive seating
- Shower Suites
- Newspapers
- Departure Monitors
- Workstations and work tables to setup your laptop
- Hours of Operation
-
daily from 4:45 a.m. until 1:00 a.m.
After presenting my boarding pass and ID to the staff member, I got handed the invitation card for the flagship lounge and got directed to the elevators behind the check-in area of the lounge. The elevator took me up one floor to the Flagship Lounge.
Right after exiting the elevator is a service desk where you can get help with flight changes and other things. Going to the left now will take you to the main part of the lounge with the buffet, business center, and main seating areas.
The right hallway will lead you to the showers, restrooms, a small and quieter seating room with a view of the tarmac and the Flagship First Dining room.
As I only had about 20 minutes to spare I didn’t have time to try out the dining experience, but it’s on my list for my next time here. The main lounge area with the buffet and main seating has a huge and uninterrupted floor to ceiling window-wall all the way across. This gives you great views of the tarmac and the planes parked at Terminal 4 as well as a good view of the Tom Bradley International Terminal and the diverse international planes parked there. Further down on the same side of the lounge, where the business center is, you still have floor to ceiling windows but with beams in between. You still get a great view of the tarmac and plenty of seating along the windows. It’s great what American did here, to provide such great views of the planes and airport.
The design of their flagship lounges is based on a clean white layout, which I love and brings more light into the lounge. In earlier years the high-society hid in dark rooms, sparsely lit, nowadays we want openness and bright rooms. It helps us to navigate better and even make us feel better and happier.
The main dining area has as well lots of seating possibilities all the way from the window over to the buffet. The food here is really excellent and is more than just a snack as most lounges offer. This can be a real and small meal besides the Flagship First Dining Room. The variety is huge and it changes from breakfast in the morning to dinner in the evening. Also, your taste buds will be happy to try one of the many drinks offered here. There is no bar, everything is self-service but they have a big variety of liquors, beers, beverages, and coffee. So you should be able to find something for you.
Next to the buffet are the flight monitors with arrival and departure information as well as newspapers and magazines directly below it.
Almost every seat or double-seat has power outlets. So you shouldn’t have any problems to find a port to charge your devices. The only tables with limited power outlets are the once along the window at the corridor next to the media room and business center.
Conclusion
I got to the lounge late in the afternoon, around 5 p.m. but the lounge was not heavily overcrowded. There were plenty of open seats and tables in the dining area to sit down and relax. Overall I am impressed what American Airlines is doing with their lounges and I love the Flagship lounges. They really can compete with other high-class lounges. So far I used to rather use the American Express Centurion lounges instead of the airline lounges, but American changed that thinking with their flagship lounges. Have you been to the Flagship Lounge at LAX? What are your thoughts?
Peter has a passion for Traveling, Photography, and Geocaching. These are the best ingredients for amazing adventures all over the globe. “Traveling is fun, no matter if you stay in a luxury hotel or travel like a backpacker.” Peter shares his experiences on his Blog www.gatetoadventures.com
Some of Peter’s photos are published on corporate websites, in-flight magazines, travel guides, and much more.