American Airlines expands Flagship Lounge access to lie-flat Hawaii routes
You might want to head to the airport a bit early before your next American Airlines flight to Hawaii.
That's because (qualifying) business-class passengers can now enjoy Flagship Lounge access before their flights. Over the weekend, the Fort Worth-based carrier updated its lounge access policy to include premium-cabin travelers headed to or from the Aloha State on select Flagship flights.
This includes passengers ticketed in the business-class cabin on one of the following five routes, each of which is operated by a wide-body jet equipped with lie-flat seats in the forward cabin.
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Honolulu (HNL)
- DFW and Kona (KOA)
- DFW and Maui (OGG)
- Chicago (ORD) and HNL
- Charlotte (CLT) and HNL
American's Flagship Lounges are the carrier's top-notch business-class-only lounges that've historically been reserved for flyers traveling in long-haul biz cabins, or on premium transcontinental routes from Miami and New York to California.
With this change, American's expanding the pool of eligible travelers to those on some of AA's longest domestic routes. While some might be concerned about lounge overcrowding, international traffic is still down significantly compared to 2019 levels, so these exclusive spaces shouldn't feel too cramped.
American operates five Flagship Lounges, in Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami and New York-JFK, though all of them have been closed since March 20, 2020. Miami will be the first Flagship outpost to reopen next month, followed by the airline's four other outposts later throughout the fall — perfect timing to coincide with AA's latest access policy update.
Note that premium-cabin travelers to and from Hawaii will not be eligible to use the sit-down Flagship First Dining facilities located within select Flagship Lounges.
Additionally, it's important to note that you need to be confirmed in the business-class cabin on one of the five flights listed above to be eligible for access. Top-tier elites traveling in coach or waitlisted for an upgrade will not be admitted to the Flagship Lounge.
In airports without a Flagship Lounge, AA's premium cabin flyers traveling to or from Hawaii can now use the regular Admirals Club, nearly all of which have reopened since their mid-pandemic closures.
Of the Big 3 U.S. carriers, only AA and United operate business-class-only lounges. United hasn't yet announced a reopening timeline for its Polaris Lounges, but even when they reopen, business-class tickets to or from Hawaii don't include access.
So, if you're looking for the best all-around travel experience for a Hawaii flight to or from the mainland, it could pay to stick with American Airlines.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees