New American Airlines Austin Lounge Moves Forward—With More Than Twice The Space And An Outdoor Terrace

In March, American Airlines announced the details of its plan for a new Admirals Club at the Austin airport, at the far west end of the terminal above gate 35 – where American is consolidating its gateholdings. More than 12,000 square feet (so more than double the size of the current club) With an outdoor terrace and views of both downtown and airport operations. Supporting a gate allocation that’s expected to nearly double when the new terminal opens in the early 2030s. In March they released a first rendering of the lounge: Credit: American Airlines I landed right beside the upstairs space where this lounge is being built just yesterday. It’s still shell space, and American tells me “[n]o timing updates” however they expect “to have more to share in a month or so.” The lounge just got its permits, and I was hoping that construction would be ready to go right away when that happened, but it should still start this year and open next year. There’s also a new rendering of the space: Credit: American Airlines The real treat, though, isn’t the design or that there will be an outdoor deck – it’s the staff in the Austin club who are the absolute best in the system. They know the names of all regulars on sight. They work magic with itineraries – and they keep working that magic even once you’ve left, frequently bird dogging inventory and improving connections even after you’ve left the lounge. When I’ve had flights cancelled and could only get a long connection in Dallas or Charlotte, I’ve found myself landing to notes saying they’ve gotten me on an earlier flight because space opened up. They do this for everyone. It’s a small city, personal customer service feel even in a growing market. And that makes Admirals Club membership worth it. The space will finally match the service once this lounge opens. I genuinely cannot wait for the lounge to open because it’ll make flying American Airlines out of my home airport that much better. Topics on this page