American Airlines Builds Largest Admirals Club in Charlotte

American Airlines will open its biggest Admirals Club yet at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in early 2028. The new lounge will span over 40,000 square feet, surpassing the current largest club at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. It will be located on the atrium’s mezzanine level at CLT.

The club will include spa-style shower suites, several bars and food stations, and separate areas for eating, working, or stepping away. American’s two existing full-service Admirals Clubs at Charlotte, at the Concourse B and C/D junction, will remain open during construction. The smaller Provisions by Admirals Club, a roughly 2,000-square-foot grab-and-go location near Gate A1, will also continue operating.

Austin lounge gains outdoor terrace and doubled footprint

A new Admirals Club in Austin will be over 12,000 square feet, nearly double the current lounge size. It will feature the network’s first outdoor terrace and offer views of downtown Austin and airport operations. The lounge is located at the far west end of the terminal above gate 35.

This new-style design is currently only available at a limited number of airports. It will include distinct zones for relaxing, dining, working, and recharging. American describes the outdoor terrace as part of a broader effort to reimagine the Admirals Club experience.

Timeline and access details for both lounges

Construction on the Austin lounge is set to begin in 2026 with a realistic opening in late 2027 or 2028. The current lounge will remain open until the new one is ready. The Charlotte club targets an early 2028 opening.

Entry to both new clubs will follow American’s standard Admirals Club rules. Eligible members, qualifying oneworld elites, and holders of certain Citi/AAdvantage cards can enter. One-day passes are expected to remain at $79 or 7,900 miles, though they may be unavailable when the lounge reaches capacity.

Broader premium lounge expansion and market context

American is investing in more than 12 premium spaces expected to open in the near future. These include Admirals Clubs, Provisions facilities, joint premium check-in spaces, Flagship Lounges, and Flagship Dining. A new Flagship Lounge is coming to Miami, and a first-ever Flagship Lounge is planned for Charlotte, though no timeline has been provided.

The airline previously tried to turn Austin into a focus city after the pandemic but lost money and pulled back. It now primarily serves hubs and focus cities from Austin. Delta has continued expanding out of Austin, seemingly taking American’s place. The expanded Charlotte facility is intended to serve an allocation of gates expected to nearly double when a new terminal opens in the early 2030s.

American’s Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden stated that as the airline raises its presence in Austin, it aims to bring a new level of comfort and hospitality. She said the new Admirals Club lounge will reflect the vibrant spirit of Austin while offering thoughtful design and premium amenities.

In 2026, American announced bigger lounges, wider Flagship Dining access, seatback screens, and more premium seats. Chicago O’Hare and Nashville joined the new lounge pipeline. Dallas/Fort Worth was promised a 37,000-square-foot club and dedicated Flagship check-in. The airline also unveiled a reconfigured Boeing 777-300ER with 70 Flagship Suite seats featuring privacy doors and a larger Premium Economy cabin.

The new Admirals Club at Charlotte Douglas International Airport will be located on the atrium’s mezzanine level, with existing clubs remaining open during construction.