Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge Los Angeles (LAX)
Intro
Following a couple of days back in Los Angeles for classes, I caught the travel bug and decided to fly to Ecuador (or so I thought). Following a great fare, I was able to snag Flagship Lounge access since I would be flying from Los Angeles to New York in Business Class onboard the A321T.
The Flagship Lounge isn't anywhere near as nice as the one in Miami, primarily due to overcrowding. However, it still provided a couple of comfortable hours while I was waiting to board the bird over to JFK. With a decent food selection, great champagne, and nice showers, I would still rate it as a very decent lounge.
Location & Access
Once clearing security in Terminal 4, the Flagship Lounge will be located right in front of you. For those who do better with numbers, it is in between gates 41 and 43.
In terms of access, anyone flying in Business or First Class on a same-day itinerary has access, as well as those who have Oneworld sapphire or emerald status.
They do also sell day passes, although enquire at the front desk if it is available.
Funnily enough they ID me every single time, even if they remember me 🤨.
Seating
The Flagship Lounge at LAX is quite a bit smaller than the ones in Miami and New York. Sadly, during my whole time there, it was packed, so I was only able to get some pictures of the seats.
Pictured below is the entrance room to the lounge and the smallest area for seating featuring about 20 seats. Expect this part to be busy for the most part.
Following along to the main room is the ramp-view seating with comfortable chairs side by side.
Then there is my favorite seating, which is right by the call center and remains relatively secluded. If you are looking for some privacy, this is your best bet. However, if you take a look at the picture below, the chairs in the top left is where the TV room is.
Of course, the dining room. is featured as well and has ample tables.
Food & Drink
As I mentioned in my review of the Flagship Lounge in Miami, the food at American Airlines Flagship Lounges is quite good for a buffet.
I indulged in quite a few of the offerings. The food is simple yet tasty.
The beef and chicken were both great during my stay. Do be aware that the offerings do change frequently, as the next time I went back three weeks later, the food was different😁.
Just like in Miami, there is a champagne bar upon entering the lounge, with a staff member offering a glass. However, by the buffet, you will also find plenty of bottles as well as mid-range liquors like Patron.
There are coffee stations and Coca-Cola stations around the lounge.
The Views
The best part about the lounge is the views; they are truly unbelievable. You overlook the Bradley Terminal (East Side), so I got to see the Qantas A380 and an ANA 789 coming in from Tokyo.
I think the coolest part of the whole time in the lounge was seeing this 777-300 being towed in from a remote stand while enjoying a glass of champagne. The captain even waved back to me 😁.
Surprisingly, I was on this same plane on my flight from Miami to Los Angeles earlier that week.
Shower Suites
American Airlines offers shower suites for those who need to freshen up. While not quite as modern as the ones in Miami, they still are good showers.
If you enquire at the front, they will give you a key. Usually, the wait times aren't too bad; I mean, I have never had to wait.
All in all, I felt refreshed for the long night ahead of me (an all-nighter that I had no idea was coming😅).
Final Thoughts
I didn't speak much about the service, but I do find the AA agents at all of the lounges extremely friendly, and this time it was no different. With great service, good food, amazing views, and free wifi, I was set for the three hours I spent at the Flagship Lounge.
However, the lounge is relatively small and pretty much one main room for seating. To me, it just feels too open. At least with Polaris lounges, there are options for seats with partitions next to your head for privacy.
All in all, it's a solid 4/5 for a business-class lounge. Considering the amount of time I spend there, a 4/5 isn't too bad 😅.
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