Halfway through my insane single day, six flight adventure, I had a brief layover in Nashville and decided to check out the American Airlines Admirals Club at the airport.
American Admirals Club Nashville Location
American Airlines operates out of Concourse C at Nashville International Airport (BNA) and the Admirals Club is conveniently located to all of the airline’s gates. The lounge is located one level up from the concourse with the entrance across from gate C14.
Once inside the double doors, a spiral staircase is on the left with a pair of elevators to the right. Either option will take you up to the mezzanine level and the lounge entrance.
American Admirals Club Nashville Hours of Operation
The American Airlines Admirals Club in Nashville is open between 4:00a and 8:30p, covering all of American’s departures from the airport. The lounge closes one hour prior to departure of partner airline British Airways’ flight to London Heathrow (LHR).
American Admirals Club Nashville Entry Requirements
The Admirals Club can be accessed in a variety of ways, including by:
- Admirals Club members, including Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard cardholders;
- First and Business Class passengers on a qualifying departing or arriving international, transcontinental or other domestic flight;
- American Airlines Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum elite members traveling on qualifying departing or arriving international flights;
- OneWorld Emerald and Sapphire members (excluding American and Alaska members);
- Active duty military traveling in uniform traveling on a same-day flight operated by American.
- Day passes are available for purchase for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles.
I accessed the lounge thanks to my British Airways Executive Club Gold (OneWorld Emerald) status. There was no line to get in and after a quick scan of my boarding pass, the AAgents welcomed me in.
Full entry and access requirements can be found here.
Layout
The Admirals Club in Nashville is laid out in a semi-circle that follows the curvature of the concourse. To the left was the buffet area, bar, and a business center. Some seats are also located on this side of the lounge.
The main seating area is located in the middle portion of the lounge and features lounge chairs in groups of three facing one another. Unfortunately, there aren’t many tables to accompany the seats.
To the right is a smaller, quieter seating area with a couple of private, high backed chairs, two small cafe tables and some lounge chairs with tables.
Along the windows overlooking the concourse and airfield below are a few different seating layouts though they primarily use the same lounge chairs seen throughout the rest of the lounge.
While technically an interior lounge, the large wall of windows overlooking the concourse lets in plenty of light and provides visitors with a view of the ramp, albeit a slightly obstructed view.
Food and Beverage
I visited the lounge mid-afternoon and lunch was still being offered. The lounge offered a few different hot dishes including macaroni and cheese and build your own pulled pork tacos. A selection of sweets, naan bread, toppings, and a cheese board were also out.
A Thai coconut broth bar with toppings was set up adjacent to this along with a Tex-Mex chopped salad and southwest chicken noodle soup. Did they cater this lounge with food meant for the Austin Admirals Club?
A small table near the buffet has M&M’s, trail mix, and peanuts available in large jars.
The most popular item in the lounge was the made-to-order guacamole station compliments of the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard.
In addition to the bar located in the back corner of the lounge, a large beverage station is located in the center of the lounge near the windows overlooking the concourse below. Coffee machines, La Colombe drip coffee, tea (both hot and iced), and water were available here.
American Admirals Club Nashville Atmosphere
Between my arrival time on my flight from Charlotte and the scheduled boarding time for my flight to Washington D.C., I only had 30 minutes in the lounge. The space wasn’t very busy and I found a seat along the windows without issue.
I visited on a Saturday afternoon and the lounge felt laid back and serene. I ended up just grabbing a drink and some guacamole and passed the time answering emails before heading down to my departure gate.
Overall the lounge is on the small side, though Nashville is only an outstation for American, and it definitely isn’t worth arriving at the airport early in order to visit. If you have access via a membership or airline status and have some time to kill its worth popping in. Otherwise, save your money and instead of buying a pass, grab a bite from one of the local eateries in the terminal.
Summary
The American Airlines Admirals Club at Nashville International Airport (BNA) is a small, laid back lounge that is easily accessible to all of American’s gates. The food isn’t mind blowing and the space is somewhat dated so I wouldn’t go out of your way to visit the lounge.
Unless you have access to Admirals Clubs via a membership or OneWorld frequent flyer status, I’d forgo purchasing a day pass and grab some food from the terminal instead.
I like that Admirals Club. Did you get any photos of the various unique features of that Club in particular?
This is everything I remembered to take. I don’t remember any super unique features, what did I miss?
There’s the collage of 4 million miler photos by the elevator and the big F-100 floor model in the alcove across from the entry desk. Also a display case in the hallway by the restrooms with station awards and pins/memorabilia from all the various BNA service starts including AA to London, the BNA hub, etc.
I didn’t really notice the decor I was in and out so fast I vaguely remember the display case by the restrooms. You had me worries that I missed an entire room/floor for a second.