Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Los Angeles ( LAX )

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American has been rolling out their new and improved Flagship Lounges, and lemme tell you…they are massively better than their predecessor. End of last year I had the pleasure of visiting the lounge in Chicago, loved it, and I just stopped by the LAX lounge while in en route to London. Let’s take a peek inside and see how it measures up against the One World lounge in Tom Bradley ( your other option if you’re traveling in business class, or are One World Sapphire).

The Deets:

• When: May 2018
• Where: Terminal 4, LAX
• Access:
  • Business Class/First One World
  • One World Sapphire/Emerald
    • AA exempt

First Impressions.

It feels very refreshed. Even the entrance, with the same bones as before, has a brighter, more youthful feel. As with Flagship Lounges you will receive your invitation and head on upstairs.

Once upstairs you will turn left to enter the Flagship Lounge. I didn’t take pics because it was quite full of people, but there are agents there to assist you if you have any needs. Once inside you turn left to enter the dining facilities, additional seating, etc.

The dining area.

It’s split in two by a large wine/champagne bar.

There are two tables of identical options for food. Further down there was a staffed Gnocchi bar that was made to order. I added mushrooms.

The gnocchi was ok…but the food overall was very nice.

There is also hefty selection of hard liquor, as well as soft drinks, beer, coffee, etc.

There are a couple fountain soda machines as well

Heading back out…and over to the various seating areas.

While there were quite a few people in the lounge, it didn’t feel crowded. There was plenty of areas to find space to eat, relax, have a phone call, etc. Everything feels very new and bright.

Heading to Flagship Dining.

I wasn’t flying in first class, and I wasn’t flying American Airlines, so no dice. But, the reviews have been great.

What’s really cool is the hallway. It features movie stars from the ages that have flown AA. One of my faves…Liz Taylor. I MEAN LOOK AT THAT ROCK!

There are also showers…very nice.

Overall:

These lounges now compete. Is it nicer than the One World Lounge? I think it’s a toss up, honestly. I’m not sure that I would purposely come to terminal 4 as I did on this flight. The One World Lounge is nice. But the food was great, staff was nice, and certainly it is great if you hold One World Sapphire and travel a lot domestically – you get access. The food truly is a meal replacement, and it’s an internationally competitive business class lounge.