Latest news with #AdmiralsClub
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Analysis: 'The Double' is hard because it's supposed to be hard
Since rain wrecked the well-laid and meticulously constructed plans of Kyle Larson for the second consecutive year, there's been an outcry of how to make 'The Double' logistically easier. Earlier and later start times! Greater collaboration between IndyCar and NASCAR leadership! Souped up planes, helicopters and golf karts! Advertisement All this misses the point of the most Herculean quest in motorsports: Racing the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day is supposed to be extremely hard to accomplish. Its demanding appeal stems from overcoming an inherent nightmare of logistics. Making a 600-mile commute between the Midwest and Southeast enough times to earn Admirals Club access. While also turning thousands of laps in practicing and racing two wildly different cars at top speeds over 235 mph. RELATED: Larson's 'Double' fallout; fresh playoff contenders emerge 'The Double' is underpinned by its degree of difficulty — starting with the fact it was a literal impossibility for decades. Advertisement The Coke 600 didn't exist until 1960 (49 years after the inaugural Indy 500). For its first 14 years, NASCAR's longest race ran once on the same day as the Indy 500, which was annually held on May 30 until 1974 (when Memorial Day permanently moved to Monday). For the next 20 years, the signature races were held on the same day but often concurrently and with no window that allowed for racing in both. Until Charlotte Motor Speedway added lights and moved the 600 to a nighttime finish in 1993. In the second year that 'The Double' as we know it was possible (there were four drivers who ran the Indy 500 and Coke 600 on separate days in the same year from 1967-71), John Andretti made it a reality in 1994 (and with much less buffer than Larson was scheduled to have with no delays). Advertisement It's been a hit-or-miss opportunity that four more have tried since. From 2005-11, the race shifted to a 1 p.m. EDT start that essentially made completing 'The Double' impossible. In the 14 years since moving to a noon EDT start in 2012, there have been three attempts — Kurt Busch in 2014 and Larson in 2024-25. Those are two NASCAR Cup Series champions who had a legitimate shot to win one or even both races. That's a select list. This isn't open to anyone, nor is it an annual guarantee. Again, 'The Double' is hard because it should be. After Larson's meteorological misfortune the past two years, it's logical to address how to minimize a 45-minute rain delay negating months of careful coordination and preparation. Advertisement There might be wiggle room on the start times of both races. RELATED: Delaying start of Coca-Cola 600 was considered for Larson Until 2005, the Indy 500 started at 11 a.m. during an era when the Indianapolis area didn't observe Daylight Savings Time as it does now. Surely it's possible to get the same crowds of 300,000-plus through the gates before noon now with modern technology. Until Larson crashed Sunday on Lap 91 of the Indy 500, NASCAR was considering a delay of the Coke 600 from its 6:27 p.m. ET start. But there are natural limits to how much 'easier' it can be to attempt 'The Double' — which is good. Advertisement As Trackhouse Racing co-owner Justin Marks alluded to after Ross Chastain's Coke 600 victory, there's an aspirational side to watching a versatile superstar such as Larson take on a challenge that can inspire the general populace to do the unthinkable. Who's building Hoover Dam, digging out the Panama Canal or laying the Transatlantic cable anymore? When the country made an 11-figure investment in space exploration in the 1960s, it was as much about getting the youth of America interested in math and science as putting a man on the moon. That's the limitless value of 'The Double.' If Larson somehow were to win both races, imagine trying to attach a price tag to the resultant exposure and sponsor interest that likely would follow for IndyCar and NASCAR. People want to see the seemingly improbable happen, which is why 'The Double' needs to remain very hard to do — even if that compromises the frequency with which it occurs. Advertisement Greatness is harder to witness if it happens every year. Nate Ryan has written about NASCAR since 1996 while working at the San Bernardino Sun, Richmond Times-Dispatch, USA TODAY and for the past 10 years at NBC Sports Digital. He is a contributor to the 'Hauler Talk' show on the NASCAR Podcast Network. He also has covered various other motorsports, including the IndyCar and IMSA series.
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
American Airlines opens new lounges that are ‘like hotels', with spa-style showers and fireplaces
American Airlines has opened an 'oasis' at Philadelphia International Airport — two connected lounges one-and-a-half times as big as a hockey rink that the carrier claims feel more like hotels than airports, with spa-style showers and cozy fireplaces. The new Flagship and Admirals Club lounges, which share a reception area, are located in the A-West terminal between gates A15 and A16 and replace the Admirals Club lounge in the A-East terminal. American said in a statement that 'every element' of the lounges 'has been thoughtfully curated to balance style, comfort and function', leading to the spaces 'feeling less like an airport and more like a modern hospitality destination'. The carrier explained that passengers will be surrounded by 'natural materials, warm woods and organic textures', with 'zoned lighting and ambient music setting the tone for relaxation or focus'. Seating options include café chairs, bar stools, lounge seats and private work pods, with both lounges, which cover 25,000 square feet, organized into 'neighborhoods'. In the 'lounge neighborhood' is 'plush seating and a cozy fireplace', the 'dining and bar neighborhoods' are a mix of self-serve stations and full-service bars; the 'villas' offer restrooms and spa-style showers, and the kids' room is a 'playful space for families traveling with children'. Of the two lounges, the Flagship is more upscale. Here, customers will be greeted with a complimentary glass of Champagne, enjoy panoramic runway views, relax in a spa-style shower and enjoy dishes created by renowned local chef and James Beard Award Semifinalist Randy Rucker. At the Admirals Club lounge, 'a refreshed take on the classic lounge experience', passengers can sip specialty Don Francisco coffee and order refreshments from a full-service bar. 'We are excited to welcome our customers into American's newest preflight experience with the opening of our brand-new Flagship and Admirals Club lounges in the A-West terminal,' said Heather Garboden, American's Chief Customer Officer. 'With more than 19 million travelers passing through Philadelphia last year, our passionate team worked zealously to create a calm, comfortable sanctuary away from the terminal hustle where customers can relax, recharge and feel taken care of before their journey takes off.' American had more than 355 peak-day departures out of Philadelphia International Airport in 2024 to more than 120 destinations in 26 countries.
Travel Weekly
20-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
American Airlines opens new lounges in Philadelphia
American Airlines on May 21 will open its fifth Flagship Lounge, at Philadelphia International Airport. The Flagship Lounge will share an entranceway with a new Admirals Club. Combined, the two lounges occupy a former Terminal A-West Admirals Club space that closed for a renovation in 2019. The new lounges will replace the Admirals Club lounge in the A-East Terminal. The 12,500-square-foot Flagship Lounge has a seating capacity for 200. Amenities include a self-service wine station, a full-service bar, six shower suites, and dishes by local chef and James Beard Award semifinalist Randy Rucker. There's also a unique-to-Philadelphia a la carte dining experience that customers can order via QR code. The Flagship Lounge will cater mostly to international flyers, along with customers flying select transcontinental routes. The lounge will be open to American and Oneworld alliance travelers in first class and business class, as well as international economy flyers with high-level AAdvantage or Oneworld status. Single-visit passes can be purchased for $150. American's other Flagship lounges are in Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago. The bar in the new Admirals Club at Philadelphia's airport. Photo Credit: American Airlines The adjacent 11,000-square-foot Admirals Club will seat 181 people. Amenities include a kids room, a full-service bar and two shower suites. It's the fourth Admirals Club with a revamped, more modern look, following Denver, Newark and Washington Reagan National. Admittance is mostly geared toward premium flyers or flyers with AAdvantage and Oneworld status on domestic flights.
New York Post
30-04-2025
- New York Post
‘Shrinkflation' hits luxe airport lounges — travel expert slams major airline for notable change
As if harried travelers didn't have enough on their plates. 'Shrinkflation' has apparently taken to the skies: American Airlines is being accused of only offering puny plates at its frequent-flyer lounges, presumably to cut back on culinary expenses. 'They want to make sure that customers eat less, or at least take less, in order to control food costs,' declared flight expert Gary Leff while dishing on the stingy measure in a recent piece for travel site View From the Wing. 'And they do this with very small plates.' The Post reached out to American Airlines for comment. The forced portion-control policy is allegedly offered at the AA Admirals Clubs, luxury lounges that feature various amenities, including personal travel assistance, shower suites and a full buffet. 4 'They (the plates) don't hold much food, and they don't do a great job of holding it in,' flight expert Gary Leff declared. YouTube/Ryan's Reviews and Overviews Day passes run flyers $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles while annual membership costs range from $850 (or 85,000 AAdvantage miles) for an individual and $1,600 (160,000 AAdvantage miles) for a household. Despite their supposed ritzy reputations, the airport refuges seemingly skimp on serving sizes, per Leff, who said that the 'plates are so small that it's almost impossible not to make a mess.' 'They don't hold much food, and they don't do a great job of holding it in,' the fussy flyer warned. 'If you pick up food using tongs and place it in the plates, some items like salad invariably fall onto the ground.' 4 Leff ripped American Airlines over the stingy shift. Instagram/garyleff AA's so-called minimalist dish policy is especially problematic given that the lounges offer the same plates no matter if they're serving salad or supersized sausages. Leff cited a submission from one reader who pointed out that the American Airlines Admirals Club in Charlotte 'is now serving full-size brats,' but the plates 'aren't any bigger and they don't fit.' Included was a photo of the titanic tubesteak with both ends jutting off the dish. 4 The Admirals Club (pictured) offers members the chance to 'fill up on a variety of premium food and enjoy hearty regional dishes,' per the site. Alex – 4 'They want to make sure that customers eat less, or at least take less, in order to control food costs,' declared Leff. 'And they do this with very small plates.' Universal Images Group via Getty Images The travel expert said that AA's diminutive dish doesn't exhibit the basic functions of a plate, which include keeping food off a table surface, grouping items together and providing 'a flat, often decorative space to arrange food attractively.' But don't try hauling their complimentary vittles off in a to-go bag — Admirals Club members are prohibited from taking food, drink or periodicals away from the premises, per the lounge guidelines. Leff attributed AA's one-size-fits-all approach to the carrier's strategy to, in the words of CEO Robert Isom during a 2022 speech, 'never spend a dollar more than we need to.' He quipped that the airline could try and realize its recently announced mission of providing a more 'premium experience' and invest in dishware rather than just the food — which he noted was nothing to write home about either. Leff isn't the only one railing against dish shrinkage — Redditors have also ripped the paltry portions at the Admiral's Club. In 2022, one aggrieved air passenger wondered, 'Anyone else notice that the plates in the Admirals Club are now half the size?' 'Been in CLT [Charlotte Douglas International Airport], DFW [Dallas Fort Worth International Airport] and ATL [Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport] this week, and all have moved to the half-sized plates that hold two meatballs and six noodles (still need to confirm cheese cube capacity)?' they added. 'Maybe they are trying to discourage food waste, but I think it may increase cleaning costs bc I saw people dropping food from the tiny plates more often,' said another. This comes as products from toilet paper to Costco cookies are reportedly being affected by so-called 'shrinkflation,' which occurs when a product's size or value is decreased yet still offered at the same retail price.
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Major airline under fire for cutting plate sizes in its lounges so flyers eat less
American Airlines travelers are undergoing portion control when they visit one of its famous Admirals Clubs, customers are claiming. Travel expert Gary Leff claimed the airline is offering small plates with all foods to save money at its lounges. 'They want to make sure that customers eat less, or at least take less, in order to control food costs. And they do this with very small plates,' he wrote on his blog View from the Wing - Thought Leader in Travel. Already believing the Admirals Clubs 'lags the offerings of Delta and United,' Leff said the small plates also create a mess in lounges. 'They don't hold much food, and they don't do a great job of holding it in. 'If you pick up food using tongs and place it in the plates, some items like salad invariably fall onto the ground,' he wrote. Leff also slammed the quality of the Club food, but noted it could be a reason why some locations aren't busy. Admiral Club members are required to adhere to rules, including paying for certain foods and not taking items away from clubs. Leff slammed American Airlines' Admirals Clubs and claims its features 'lags the offerings of Delta and United' A reader provided an example of full-sized bratwurst in an Admirals Club at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina. The smaller-sized dishes were the only plates at the Club, and the bratwurst didn't fit. Leff used the 'awkward' moment to give a tongue-in-cheek explanation of the basic purposes of a plate. The travel expert explained that dishes are used to help keep food off surfaces, spilling or dropping on the ground, prevent it from spreading food everywhere, and serve as a barrier between food and dirty tables. They can also provide a 'flat, often decorative space to arrange food attractively,' he said. Leff believes American mainly uses the small plates for portion control. 'I suppose if the lack of proper plates for Admirals Club food is a stopper, you could always just limit yourself to the Snack Tower of Sadness,' he joked, referring to a selection of snacks presented in tall plastic tubes. 'Or, American could take seriously the idea of their premium pivot and invest in dishware, not just food.' Reddit users were just as frustrated, and a few travelers claimed they watched Admirals Club attendees often ' dropping food from tiny plates.' Travelers interested in visiting a lounge must be Admirals Club members, Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard holders, purchasing a day pass, or traveling in premium cabins on qualifying flights Admirals Club lounges are a hotspot for American Airlines fliers worldwide. One of the airline's newer locations opened in 2023 at Denver International Airport in Colorado. Travelers interested in visiting a lounge must be Admirals Club members, Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard holders, purchasing a day pass, or traveling in premium cabins on qualifying flights. Besides American, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are known for offering high quality services through their lounges. Delta Sky Clubs are hot commodities in the eyes of flyers - especially its new first class lounge inside JFK. United offers three types of airport lounges, opened its newest United Club Fly location in February, reopened a Polaris lounge this week, and is scheduled to open a revamped club in June.
