More champagne for travelers as American Airlines expands VIP lounges in Miami
Plans include building a new Flagship lounge, the airline's fanciest airport amenity. American will also expand its current Admirals Club lounge.
When the project opens, the airline said it will have almost twice the amount of lounge space at MIA.
'The lounge experience plays a key role in enhancing that travel journey, offering a quiet and comfortable respite from the busy terminal,' Juan Carlos Liscando, American's vice president of MIA operations, said in a statement.
He described the future area as 'new and improved spaces to relax, work and play.'
MORE: Colombian airline Avianca opens new lounge at Miami airport. Take a look
This will be American's sixth Flagship lounge. In May, the airline unveiled the lounge at Philadelphia International Airport's Terminal A West.
American now offers three VIP lounges at MIA. An Admirals Club lounge is at gate D15. Flagship and Admirals Club lounges are at D30. With the new plans, that Flagship lounge, which opened in 2017, will be converted into an expanded Admirals Club lounge.
Meanwhile, the new Flagship lounge will be built from scratch. That space will offer champagne on arrival, local food items and a la carte dining, the airline said. VIP members or day-pass holders can get free food.
In recent years, airlines have invested heavily in their frequent flier lounges. In 2024, Delta Air Lines upgraded its VIP lounge at MIA. In March, Avianca and TAP Portugal unveiled a renovated space.
American didn't provide a timeline or give details on whether the current lounges will close or be affected once construction starts. The airline also didn't say where the new Flagship lounge would be located at MIA.
The moves comes as American is operating its largest summer schedule to date from MIA. In June, the airline started non-stop service to Rome.
American has more than 400 peak daily flights from MIA and serves more than 30 million customers a year. The airline is also a large source of work in the region, employing more than 14,500 people at the Miami airport.
Offerings at the AA airport lounges
The lounges at MIA upon completion will offer:
▪ Comfortable seating where one can 'relax and recharge'
▪ Bar and dining
▪ Spa-style suites with showers
▪ Work stations
▪ Kid-friendly family rooms
▪ High-speed Wi-Fi
▪ Ample power outlets
▪ 'Clearly displayed' flight information screens
▪ Local artwork
How to access the VIP lounges
▪ For people traveling within the United States, accessing the Admirals Club or Flagship lounge requires a membership, qualifying 'oneworld' status or the Citi AAdvantage Executive credit card.
▪ Travelers can also buy a day pass, allowing lounge use for 24 hours, for $79, or 7,900 AAdvantage miles for Admirals or a single visit pass for $150, or 15,000 miles for the Flagship lounge.
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