American Flagship Lounge DFW Contemporary Deco
If they say everything is bigger in Texas, the American Flagship Lounge DFW and Capitol Hill, most certainly would be case in point!
If you weren’t aware already, Flagship Lounges are American Airlines most premium lounge offering, reserved for it’s most high tier flyers. You could say this is THE Flagship of the Flagship, being by far American’s largest hub airport.
You can expect an altogether elevated experience with chef inspired meals, contemporary deco providing comfortable seating to relax and unwind, fine wine, speciality cocktail bar and spacious shower suites. But what sets this specific lounge apart?
So who can use Flagship lounges?
Get access if departing, arriving on any oneworld® flights on the same day.
Finally you can actually pay to use the lounge if you are flying oneworld without status. Entry is available for $150 or 15,000 AAdvantage® miles.
The lounge is located in Terminal D, which by the looks of it is fairly large! You will find the lounge between gates D21 and D22 and is open between 5am to 10.15pm daily.
I was connecting on a domestic flight from New York to Austin with a 2 and half hour stop in Dallas. An itinerary I intentionally chose to use this lounge!
Conveniently after getting the transfer in, the escalators down were right near those gates!
This American Airlines Flagship Lounge in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) only opened back in 2019 and still looks fresh.
There is a reception as you enter, where you are checked through.
In the moment the area was busy, but you can also check yourself in via self scanning kiosks right behind this..
Once you walk through reception, you are greeted by the customary Flagship Champagne stand with a lovely lady ready to pour you a glass to welcome you in…
This was Piper–Heidsieck Brut NV, a real champagne, so how could you ever say no?!
With champagne in hand, I had a quick glance around..
You immediately know this is a step up from a regular American Airlines lounge, otherwise known as Admiral Club. The deco is just that much more sleek and ambiance more relaxed..
There were plenty of guests evenly spread throughout the lounge. I would say busy but not enough to feel so..
There are various places where you can sit with semi partitions designed into the space to give you at least an illusion that there are fewer punters in the house..
With natural light flooding the outer edges of the lounge, I liked the stylish use of lighting to set a more refined mood in the inner parts. This is very much needed as it would otherwise be a very bland muted deco.
There is nothing particularly a standout about the design and use of materials here.
At certain points in the afternoon, sitting by the window might be a problem when the sun is blasting through in full strength
But this is no problem when there are countless seating zones you can retreat into. You would find some interesting art pieces here to enjoy too..
After a quick wonder, I did indeed choose to sit by the brightness of the window out and why you may wonder?
Well, this off-course..
With a countless stream of planes passing you by in good viewing range, this may be every plane spotting loungers dream!?
With the strong glare of the sun making for difficult picture conditions, it was still a joy to sit and enjoy. I would recommend making sure you have your sunglasses with you during any afternoon visits here!
After the first hour enjoying drinks by the windows, I was suitably peckish and ready to sample the dishes on offer here..
As with other Flagship Lounges now, there is a considerable amount of choice between hot and cold dishes..
Again, I was impressed with the selection available. The only issue being you know there is only so many dishes you can actually try before you are full!
Here is what the lemongrass beef looked like..
This just got replenished as I walked to the buffet station. The crabcakes also seemed very popular..
The roasted carrots, fried cabbage and spring vegetable rice all looked good. As did the sushi selection..
I should not during this time, there was high footwall, so staff were constantly on alert and watching over what needs refilling..
The crabcakes and lemongrass beef was the main draw for me but I did still dress up my selection with a bit of the roasted veg and salad..
Despite a reasonably busy buffet area at this point, I was able to find several free tables to eat in.
After the dinner, I went to check on the self service drinks available
Again, I liked how this self bar area is identical to the other Flagship lounges. When something works and looks good, replicate it!
You can also help your self to more champagne here or a nice wine to pair with your dish..
There are several showers Suites available here also which are all first come first serve.
Each shower room is rather spacious and come stocked with good quality towels, DS&Durga supplies
Unlike the United Polaris Lounge however no extras like slippers, deodorants and proper gowns are provided. Perhaps you could request them?
The shower was great however.
Unlike in Chicago, this lounge also features the more exclusive dining for First Class passengers.
It is essentially a lounge within a lounge like the JFK Flagship First Dining Room before this was replaced by the new Chelsea Lounge. Flagship First Dining is still available in Miami also.
In this instance, I was not flying First Class or American Flagship Business First, since they have essentially cut First Class and operate the cabin as a Business Plus kind of product.
This is a great lounge that remains true to it’s name and provides what you would generally expect from a decent Business Class lounge these days. I spent a very comfortable 2 and half hours there, and felt completely relaxed even when it was somewhat busy. It is a well designed space with high end touches.
At the same time this space won’t be winning any design awards. As there is nothing striking about it in the same way as for instance the new Air France lounge in CDG 2F or Aegean Lounge in Athens.
While the catering and beverage selection is good. Flagship lounges are vastly superior to anything Delta Airlines provides but is not quite on the same level as United Polaris Lounges.
However this is understandable here as American is reserving these extra touches such as a la carte dining for it’s rebranded First Class customers while it is still around!
For many of us the views here will absolutely be a draw to this lounge and best of all, it is accessible to many status holders that would only have access to much inferior lounges otherwise.
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