American Airlines will offer restaurant-style dining for first-class customers at four airports as the world’s biggest carrier steps up competition for the most-prized travelers.
In addition to creating tableside Flagship Dining, American is expanding its Flagship Lounge program, the airline said in a statement Wednesday. The lounges are sections of the carrier’s Admirals Club locations restricted to people traveling in first class.
The improvements are part of about $1 billion that American is spending to improve its service, including the creation of Premium Economy class, updating premium meals, resuming free snacks in coach and adding power outlets. Flagship Dining will debut next year with complimentary service at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport before expanding to hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles and Miami.
“Flagship Dining is something no other U.S. carrier has offered, and this separates us from the competition” said Andrew Nocella, chief marketing officer at American Airlines Group Inc. First-class customers on American’s three-class international and transcontinental flights will have access to Flagship Dining. Each location will have its own executive chef.
American will add Flagship Lounges at Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami and Philadelphia, and update facilities at Kennedy, Los Angeles and Chicago. It will add Admirals Clubs at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental and Orlando International airports.
