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My wife and I chose to fly Iberia in business class from Chicago (review later), and after a very comfortable and economic Autoslash one-way rental to the airport, it was time to check out the American Airlines Flagship Lounge that we had access to due to being on a Oneworld business class ticket.
Check-in was at the Iberia desk way at the end of Terminal 2 and was effortless and there even was a security checkpoint right next to the desk with no line. The only downside was no TSA PreCheck as Iberia does not play along.
After a short walk through a very crowded terminal we found our way to the T3 (connected to T2 after a short walk) lounge entrance that was shared by both the Admirals club and the Flagship Lounge.
After our boarding passes were scanned we were handed Flagship cards that were to be handed to the attendants once we got off the elevator to the club.
We were warmly greeted and met with a Champaign cart and, well, why not to start our grand one month vacation adventure! Now a quick view around the lounge:
The lounge is a long somewhat open-concept space with a sleeping quiet room toward the far end. We were here just after 1PM local and our flight scheduled to depart just after 5PM. With that in mind, it was, unlike the Delta Sky Clubs in 2023, relatively empty and only becoming moderately full as we approached our departure time.
Drinks were all self service and the selection was OK but not what I had in mind when I thought of the image “flagship”. On to food choices.
Once again, considering some of the AA Flagship lounge reviews I have seen from say JFK or DFW I was expecting a bit more. Instead it was a buffet. Let’s take a look:
So there you are. Nice? Sure. Over the top amazing – really not so much. A step above a Priority Pass club but still.
I did not want to eat too much as I was looking forward to sampling the dinner selection on the overnight flight. But then a new station opened up.
Wait – Beef Brisket Sliders you say? With a pretzel bun, horseradish aioli, pickled red onions, and au jus you say? Well ok then just one!
This treat was great quality and very good flavor and I could have eaten a number of them but chose to show a bit of restraint after all.
Overall this was a quiet, clean, pleasant lounge and a nice break away from the masses in the terminal. All the employees were friendly and professional. With my new adjusted expectation of this club I will very much look forward to a return visit. – René
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Looks like a solid lounge and a HUGE step up from the TERRIBLE Swissport Lounge at ORD T5 that serves AF. It’s probably the worst lounge I have ever visited. Crowded windowless room with only packaged snacks and 4 bottles of liquor/wine on display, but not to be touched by “guests,” only to be poured on occasion when an employee appears from the back. Based on my admittedly limited exposure having also visited a standard AA lounge and the Delta SkyClub in addition to Swissport, I can’t say that ORD lounge options are on the same level as what’s been rolling out at JFK, LAX, or DFW.
Not sure why you’d be surprised by a buffet (compared to “say JFK or DFW”), since ALL Flagship lounges only have buffet service. Flagship DINING is a separate room available to First Class travelers.
@jm – Because, for 10 years, I have flown almost exclusively Skyteam flights and have never flown AA International First Class nor ever been in a Flagship Lounge…
The O’Hare Flagship Lounge is in Terminal 3, not Terminal 2.
@Kurt. Correct. We checked in at T2 and walked to T3. Fixing thanks.
Was just there and not impressed at all by the food, lounge is nice enough but nothing really special.
We are flying this same flight next week. Did the lounge come free with your business class ticket?
@Steven – Yes.