Lowdown on Coronavirus-Caused Closures for Airline Lounges
With airlines cancelling flights and suspending operations in some locations, it is no surprise that premium lounges, too, must adjust to the new normal
For the few business travelers that may still be out there wandering the hollow airports enroute to empty planes, be warned. The business class lounge you seek as a well-earned comfort before that final leg home may be closed.
Airline lounges around the world are operating at only a percentage of their capacity or are completely shut. Cathay Pacific closed its top lounges in Hong Kong and only operates at a tenth of its capability. Qantas closed its international lounges, namely its elite Chairman’s Lounges and most of its Qantas Club lounges.
Amex announced this week the shutting of all of its Centurion Lounge locations starting on Saturday, March 21. And now Delta, United and American are temporarily closing or curtailing service in their lounges throughout the U.S. and the rest of the world in a move that could only be characterized as expected.
Delta is closing the Majority of its Sky Clubs, and in those that are open, showers will not be available and packaged snacks take up the menu. United has closed all of its Polaris lounges this week, but a few United Clubs remain open – namely in United hub locations.
American Airlines Lounge Changes: The Details
Meanwhile, American Airlines temporarily closing and consolidating its premium clubs and lounges in direct response to changes in demand and government mandate.
American is consolidating Admirals Club lounges in airport locations where multiple clubs exist. Beginning Friday, March 20, Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounges will temporarily close, as American has reduced international travel by more than 75% in response to demand.
Flagship Lounges
Flagship Lounges in Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA) will be closed in response to significantly reduced international demand and reduced international flying.
The Flagship Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will temporarily covert to Admirals Club service. Admirals Club guests will be able to access the lounge for Admirals Club grab-and-go service.
Flagship First Dining at DFW, LAX, MIA and JFK will also close. Those guests will be welcomed into Admirals Club lounges.
As of Thursday night:
Atlanta (ATL)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Austin, Texas (AUS)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.
Boston (BOS)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.
Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT)
The Admirals Club at Concourse B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club at Concourse C will operate under the reduced hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Alcohol will not be served and food will be grab-and-go and not consumed on the premises.
Chicago (ORD)
The Flagship Lounge will close temporarily. Admirals Club lounges located in Concourse G and Concourse L are temporarily closed. The Admirals Club in Concourse H/K will remain open, but with the reduced hours of 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge in Terminal D and the Admirals Club in Terminal B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club lounge in Terminal E is temporarily closed. Admirals Club lounges in terminals A, C and D will remain open with shortened hours.
Denver (DEN)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Houston (IAH)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed in the lounge.
Los Angeles (LAX)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge will be temporarily closed. The Admirals Club in Terminal 5 and the Eagle Regional Terminal are temporarily closed. Guests can continue to use the Admirals Club lounge at Terminal 4 from 4 a.m. to midnight.
Miami (MIA)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge will be temporarily closed. The Admirals Club located at Gate D15 is temporarily closed. Guests will be welcomed at the Gate D30 Admirals Club from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time.
Nashville (BNA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Newark, New Jersey (EWR)
The Admirals Club will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and not consumed on the premises.
New York (JFK)
The Admirals Club located near Gate 42 is temporarily closed. The Flagship Lounge near Gate 12 will temporarily be converted to Admirals Club service and operate from 4 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. No alcohol will be served and food will be grab-and-go to be consumed elsewhere. Flagship First Dining will be closed.
New York (LGA)
Operating hours will be 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Alcohol will not be available and food will be grab-and-go and eaten elsewhere. Guests can continue to utilize the Admirals Club in Concourse D.
Orange County, California (SNA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 5:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food will be served as to-go items to be taken away.
Orlando, Florida (MCO)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Alcohol will not be served to guests during this time.
Philadelphia (PHL)
The Admirals Club at Terminal A and Terminal F will be temporarily closed. The Terminal B/C Admirals Club will remain open with reduced operating hours, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Alcohol will not be available and food will be served as to-go items.
Phoenix (PHX)
The Admirals Club located near Gate B5 will be temporarily closed, and guests will be welcomed to Admirals Club lounges located near Gate A7 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Gate A19 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. All food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.
Pittsburgh (PIT)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Alcohol will not be served to guests and food will be served as to-go items.
Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Alcohol will not be available and food will be grab-and-go.
St. Louis (STL)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
San Diego (SAN)
The Airspace Lounge will temporarily close beginning Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m.
San Francisco (SFO)
The Admirals Club will operate from 5 a.m. to midnight. All food will be pre-packaged but may be consumed in the lounge.
Tampa, Florida (TPA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Washington (DCA)
The Admirals Club at Terminal B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club at Terminal C will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
International lounge changes
Admirals Club lounges in Paris (CDG), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Buenos Aires (EZE) and São Paulo (GRU) are closed. The Tokyo Narita Japan (NRT) Admirals Club was previously scheduled to permanently close at the send of March.
Mexico City (MEX)
The Admirals Club will operate from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Toronto (YYZ)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday and from 5:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
London (LHR)
The Arrivals lounge hours have been temporarily reduced. The International First Class Lounge will be closed temporarily. Flagship guests will be welcomed into the Admirals Club and will be offered a complimentary menu.
