When was the last time you had a great dinner in an airport lounge? Some airlines offer free snacks and small plates in their lounges as well as food for purchase but now American Airlines has upped their game. Last week the carrier broke out of the mold by opening Flagship First Dining, a restaurant-style dining experience on the ground. Now you can have a sit-down meal prior to boarding so that you can skip the meal service and sleep on long haul international and transcontinental flights. The JFK lounge is the first part of a $200 million investment in the luxury travel experience and six more lounges are scheduled to follow. The carrier recently unveiled the complete experience at a pop-up media event in Soho where lucky guests were treated to the full monte, sampling premium champagne, craft cocktails, artisanal cheeses, imported wines and delectable desserts.
Flagship First Dining
Passengers traveling in First Class on qualifying international and transcontinental flights will have exclusive access to Flagship First Dining, located within the Flagship Lounge. The sit-down restaurant experience will offer complimentary, full-service dining with locally inspired menus, craft beers and spirits.
The JFK menu features ingredients from local purveyors including cheese from Sprout Creek Farms and grass-fed beef from Joyce Farms that will be used in American’s signature Flagship Burger, an item that will be available in all Flagship First Dining locations. Customers can enjoy specialty cocktails designed by renowned New York mixologist Pamela Wiznitzer and hand-selected wines from master sommelier Desmond Echavarrie. Imagine sipping the perfect “Old Manhattan” with Woodford Reserve Bourbon or a “Spiced Tequila” riff on a Margarita or Pisco Sour before heading to your gate. Pam designed these classic cocktails with a twist just for American Airlines Flagship First travelers.
“Customers in the Flagship Lounge and in Flagship First Dining will enjoy elevated service before departing,” said Kurt Stache, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Loyalty and Sales. We’re thrilled to unveil our remodeled Flagship Lounges and to be the first U.S. airline to offer top-of-the-line dining in the airport. We are proud of our Flagship experience and we hope our customers will agree it’s the best product out there.”
American plans to add Flagship First dining this year in both Miami and Los Angeles, and later at Dallas Fort Worth and London Heathrow.
Flagship First Check-In
Additionally, travelers on qualifying international and transcontinental itineraries can start their trip with Flagship First Check-In, an exclusive check-in area in JFK’s Terminal 8, helping them get to the Flagship Lounge faster. These travelers will be greeted by dedicated Premium Customer Service representatives who will assist with check-in and checking luggage then escort them to an expedited security line. Flagship First Check-In is also currently available at Chicago O’Hare, London Heathrow, Los Angeles, and Miami, with plans to add it at Dallas Fort Worth.
Visit www.exploreamerican.com/flagshipfirstdining to learn more about Flagship First Check-In, Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining, including access policies, locations and more.
All Photos Courtesy of American Airlines