Lounge Review: American Airlines Admirals Club – New York Laguardia

…Excellent domestic lounge

When: March 25, 2024

Rating: 7.5/10 – Delightful

Access: Day pass purchased

With a modern design, two bars, showers, a hearty buffet, and a variety of seating, this lounge is very impressive for a US domestic lounge and reflects New York Laguardia Airport’s importance as a focus city for American Airlines. As someone who does not often fly American…this lounge very much exceeded expectations.

The lounge is in Laguardia’s beautiful Terminal B, right above the American gate complex.  American occupies all the gates in this pier of the Terminal and is the airport’s second largest carrier, with numerous flights in mainly the eastern half of the US. The lounge is rather large and is in two separate wings connected by a skybridge.

After entry, you enter a large space broken up into many sections with a variety of seating (lounges, tables, high-top seating, and more). I like the use of wood to break up the room and the plantings throughout the lounge.  Shower suites are in this part of the lounge. When you consider that Laguardia only has short-haul flights and is largely and origin/destination airport, the inclusion of shower suites is a welcome surprise.  It reflects the importance of the airport to American.

This space also has a buffet and bar. The buffet is complimentary – but there is a charge for premium food items and premium cocktails.  While I realize that all US carriers in the “regular” domestic lounges charge extra for premium drinks – I am not a fan for an additional charge for food. Nevertheless, it’s far cheaper than eating in the overpriced terminal. And to be fair, I found the complimentary buffet to be substantial – so I am not sure I get the charge for some additional food items. I loved the complimentary avocado toast.

Across the sky bridge is the larger part of the lounge, which includes a nicer bar, a tv/lounge room, semi – private recline seating, and another buffet (this is where I had the avocado toast). Travelers will have no problem plugging in their devices – outlets are everywhere.  The lounge is open to the terminal below but noise from the concourse is not a problem.

I rate this lounge 7.5/10. Best features: The décor, bars and showers. Flaws: I found the service to be indifferent and the charge for premium food.