United announces additional lounge closures due to coronavirus
Editor's note: This post has been updated with the latest lounge closures. It was originally published on March 16, 2020.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United are temporarily closing many of their lounges, amid a drop in demand associated with the coronavirus outbreak. American Express is closing all of its Centurion Lounges across the world.
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American Airlines lounges
The carrier announced Thursday evening March 19 that it is closing all of its Flagship Lounges and Flagship First Dining locations beginning Friday, March 20. It will also temporarily convert its New York-JFK Flagship Lounge to Admirals Club service.
These changes are in addition to the Admirals Club closures previously announced. "These changes are in response to significant decrease in demand and changes from government mandates in response to coronavirus (COVID-19)," American explained.
The following Admirals Clubs will be temporarily closed:
- Buenos Aires location
- Chicago locations in concourses G and L
- Dallas-Fort Worth location in terminal E
- Los Angeles location in terminal 5
- New York-JFK location in concourse C. (Admirals Club guests will be able to access the Flagship Lounge in concourse B)
- New York LaGuardia guest services center
- Miami location at gate D15
- Paris location
- Phoenix location at gate N1
- Rio de Janeiro location
- São Paulo location
In addition to the closures, American is temporarily reducing the hours of many of its clubs, including the arrivals lounge at London Heathrow. The carrier has also made changes to the food and beverage procedures of its lounges.
Related: The ultimate guide to American Airlines Admirals Club access
While not operated by AA, it's worth mentioning that the Oneworld Los Angeles Lounge and Qantas First Lounge at LAX, which some American Airlines passengers would have had access to, have also closed.
American Express Centurion Lounges
Amex announced on Wednesday that all of its Centurion Lounge locations will temporarily close starting on Saturday, March 21. Citing the health concerns of keeping the lounge open, Amex explains on its website that:
As the health and safety of our Card Members and colleagues is our top priority, in light of the spread of COVID-19 we are temporarily closing all The Centurion® Lounge locations, starting on Saturday, March 21, 2020. American Express will provide notice here and on the Amex Mobile App when locations reopen.
The company has twelve outposts in airports across the world, as follows:
- Charlotte (CLT)
- Dallas (DFW), includes spa services
- Hong Kong (HKG)
- Houston (IAH)
- Las Vegas (LAS)
- Los Angeles (LAX), includes spa services
- New York (LGA)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
- Phoenix (PHX)
- Miami (MIA), includes spa services
- Seattle (SEA)
- San Francisco (SFO), includes a wine-tasting area
2020 was supposed to be a big year for the Centurion Lounge network. The company already opened locations in Phoenix, Charlotte and Los Angeles before the coronavirus spread rapidly across the U.S. Amex was also slated to open lounges in London-Heathrow (LHR) and New York-JFK in the first half of 2020 and a Denver (DEN) outpost before the end of the year. Though we haven't yet received official word of a delay, I wouldn't be surprised to see the openings postponed to later this year or the beginning of 2021.
Related: A guide to Amex Centurion Lounges
Delta Sky Clubs
Delta is closing a majority of its Sky Clubs until demand recovers. Instead of listing the lounges that will close, this is the list of locations that will remain open. The airline notes that this list may change based on demand.
- Atlanta locations near gate A17, B18, Terminal F and Terminal T
- Austin location in terminal 4
- Boston location near gate A7
- Chicago O'Hare location near gate E6
- cincinnati location near gate B14
- Denver location in concourse A
- Fort Lauderdale location in terminal 2
- Honolulu location across from gate F1
- Los Angeles locations in terminal 2 and 3
- Miami location past concourse H security
- Minneapolis-St. Paul location in the F/G concourse
- Nashville location near gate B3
- New York-JFK location in terminal 4
- New York-LaGuardia location in terminal C and D
- Newark location in terminal B
- Orlando location near gate 71
- Palm Beach location opposite gate C4
- Phoenix location near gate F8
- Raleigh Durham location across from gate C3
- Salt Lake City location between concourses C and D
- San Diego location across from security
- San Francisco location near gate C3
- Seattle location in terminal A
- Tampa location across from gate 68
- Washington National location near gate 15
Delta will also discontinue the shower service in its lounges and scale back the food and beverage options. Each club will have packaged snacks, and the drink selection will be more limited.
Related: The ultimate guide to Delta Sky Club access
United Airlines lounges
United has closed all of its Polaris Lounge locations, along with a majority of United Clubs.
Related: The ultimate guide to United Club access
There are only nine club outposts open including:
- Chicago O'Hare location near gate B6
- Denver location near gate B44
- Houston location near gate C1
- Houston location near gate E11
- Los Angeles location near gate 71A
- Newark location near gate C74 (for customer service functions only)
- San Francisco location near gate G6
- San Francisco location near gate F11
- Washington D.C. (IAD) location near gate C17
Given the tremendous impact coronavirus has had on the industry, in the United States and all around the world, it's no surprise that most airlines are closing their lounges. Hopefully, they will be open soon again, when the outbreak ends.
Related: Best cards for airport lounge access
For more on the coronavirus outbreak, see:
- What does the deadly coronavirus mean for travelers?
- How coronavirus has left the travel industry reeling
- No coronavirus waiver? Some airlines have you more covered than others
- How to ward off coronavirus in your hotel room
- Guide to traveling during the coronavirus outbreak
Reporting by Benji Stawski, Zach Griff and Zach Honig.
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