American Airlines is giving passengers two new reasons to show up early for flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) (Who would have thought we’d ever say that?) as the airline prepares to open two new lounges in Terminal A-West.
American is promising chef-driven menus and elevated takes on local specialties along with full-service bars in its new Flagship and Admirals Club lounges at the airport.
Local Flavors in the Philadelphia Flagship Lounge
American Airlines’ upcoming Flagship Lounge in Philadelphia is expected to welcome guests with a glass of champagne and offer a refined culinary experience that embraces local character.
Chef Randy Rucker, a James Beard Award Semifinalist, will be at the helm in the new lounge and, according to the airline, the heart of the culinary program will be the cauliflower vichyssoise, a chilled, velvety soup, featuring smoked trout roe. Seems like an odd dish to center around but customers will also be able to enjoy an array of dishes throughout the day, including:
- Salted caramel budino, whipped ricotta and blistered tomato toast and Maryland-style crab soup;
- Grab-and-go snacks like Dot’s Homestyle Pretzels and Alter Eco Sea Salt Truffles;
- A Reading Terminal-inspired Candy Bar with saltwater taffy, butterscotch candies, peppermint puffs and more.
In addition to the buffet, action stations inside the lounge will rotate throughout the day and feature dishes like:
- A morning omelet bar with add-ons including local Amish cheddar and Kennet Square cremini mushrooms;
- A build-your-own roast pork sandwich, featuring slow-roasted pork, provolone and broccoli rabe;
- An evening Boardwalk Water Ice and Gelati bar in nostalgic flavors like Very Cherry, Rainbow Jimmies and Salted Caramel, with boozy pour over options.
In a first for American’s Flagship lounges, the Philadelphia Flagship will feature a full service bar with wine, local beers and bartender crafted cocktails and mocktails. This is likely due to the fact that the bar space was part of the old lounge and American chose to incorporate it into the new Flagship Lounge instead of removing it.
Cocktail menus will rotate seasonally with this summer’s offerings including:
- The Broad Street Old Fashioned and The Schuylkill Sunset, a nod to the sunset found at Philly’s Boathouse Road;
- Seasonal mocktails like the Berry Coconito and Dream of ’76.
Some of the cocktails will only be included on the “secret” menu, like the Betsy Ross Boulevardier and Seventy Philly, and made upon request.
Elevated Comfort in the Admirals Club
Next door, in the Admirals Club, guests will be able to enjoy breakfast and all day menus featuring dishes like:
- Tahini protein bites, breakfast sliders and cinnamon coffee cake;
- Lobster bisque, chimichurri lentils, Cuban rolls and charcuterie boards;
- An assortment of sweets including Tate’s cookies and brownie bites
The lounge will also have a full-service bar, standard for American Airlines Admirals Clubs, serving complimentary cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine, with premium options available for purchase.
You can find more information on how to access American Airlines Admirals Clubs here.
Summary
American Airlines’ new Flagship and Admirals Club lounges are expected to open in the coming weeks in Terminal A-West at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). The Fort Worth based carrier has provided a glimpse of what you can expect in both lounges before boarding your flight.
