Earlier this year, American Airlines announced plans to renovate the Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport. I was not sure what I would find while visiting during this renovation as only portions of the facility are open for passenger use. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised.
Besides, a lounge attendant directing to me the temporary entrance, I would not have even known any renovations were underway… the lounge was clean, spacious and well stocked with complimentary food and cocktails. One of the diffrences, as I understand them, between an Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge is that complimentary liquor is limited to the Flagship Lounge (used by International First Class passengers) while Admirals Club (for International Business Class passengers among others) patrons are limited to one or two drink vouchers. From what I saw at Hetahrow, the lounges were temporarily combined offering the full spectrum of amenities that International First Class passengers (Flagship Lounge Users) are accustomed to. The self service food and beverage area anchors the lounge and is surrounded by tall counter seating. There were four desk attendants assisting passengers, although the lounge was not even close to busy. Many kitchen staff were on hand, re-stocking all of the food and beverage areas and tidying up the lounge. All things considered, this is a fabulous airline lounge. Surely, this is the section that has already been remodeled, if not I will be anxious to go back and experience the finished product. Actually, I am anxious regardless!
I could not duplicate the picture below if I tried. No idea what happened, but I thought it came out kind of cool. Almost looks like a Virgin America Cabin.
In the LHR lounge, business & first lounges (or Admirals & Flagship) if you prefer both have complimentary self serve drinks. Flagship has a better quality plus champagne. At the JFK end, yes you are limited on the complimentary by the vouchers, unless you are in the flagship lounge. Best benefit (IMHO) for outbound from JFK in the flagship is a better food selection – allowing you to eat a meal in the lounge and skip the dinner service on the redeye to LHR, whereas the regular admirals has the usual selection of paninis and similar.