American Airlines Expands Charlotte Lounge Investment With Largest Admirals Club
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American Airlines is expanding its lounge footprint at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) with plans to open the largest Admirals Club in its network. The more than 40,000-square-foot lounge will bring new dining, work, and relaxation spaces to American’s second-largest hub, where the airline operates more than 650 peak daily flights. The project builds on American’s larger lounge investment in Charlotte, including plans to open its first Flagship lounge at the airport.
American’s Largest Admirals Club Takes Shape in Charlotte
The new Admirals Club will sit on the mezzanine level of the airport’s atrium, giving passengers a central location with views of the concourse below. The airline plans to divide the space into different areas where passengers can dine, work, relax, and recharge.
The lounge will feature spa-style shower suites, bars, serveries, and multiple seating areas. The different spaces will give passengers more options before their flight.
“Designing a lounge that gives our customers more space to relax, work and recharge is our top priority,” said American Airlines Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. “We’re incredibly excited to bring our biggest Admirals Club lounge yet to CLT, where millions of customers pass through every year.”
The design will draw inspiration from Charlotte’s tree canopy and textile heritage, combining those local influences with modern design and southern charm. American has taken a similar local approach with several of its other new lounges.
In Nashville, a new 17,400-square-foot Admirals Club will draw on the city’s music heritage and Tennessee’s natural landscapes. Similarly, the airline’s new Austin lounge will reflect the city’s outdoor lifestyle and feature the first outdoor terrace in the Admirals Club network.
“The plan for our new lounge at CLT represents our continued investment in the customer experience and reflects our long-standing commitment to Charlotte,” said American Airlines Senior Vice President of CLT Operations Ralph Lopez Massas. “Set to become the largest lounge in our global network at one of our most connected hubs, it will give customers an exceptional space to enjoy while showcasing the unique character of our region.”
Construction will begin this year, with American keeping its existing Charlotte lounge spaces open throughout the project. Passengers will continue to have access to the airline’s current lounges while construction moves forward.
Expanding American’s Premium Lounge Network
The new Admirals Club builds on American’s other lounge investments in Charlotte. In August 2025, the airline opened its first Provisions by Admirals Club near Gate A1, a 2,000-square-foot space designed for passengers making a quick stop between flights.
Provisions offers grab-and-go food and drinks, limited seating, and customer support. The concept gives passengers another option when they may not have time for a longer lounge visit.
American plans to bring a Flagship lounge to Charlotte for the first time as well. Once all three spaces open, passengers will have different options depending on how much time they have and the type of lounge experience they want.
Charlotte is one part of American’s larger lounge expansion. New or updated Admirals Club spaces are planned or underway in Nashville, Austin, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
At Dallas Fort Worth, the airline plans to open a new Admirals Club in Terminal C, a Flagship check-in experience in Terminal D, and a Provisions by Admirals Club in the future Terminal F. New York-JFK will receive a Provisions location as well, expanding the concept beyond Charlotte.
Together, these projects show how American is expanding its premium ground experience with different lounge concepts across its network. In Charlotte, Provisions, the new Admirals Club, and the planned Flagship lounge will give passengers more choices at one of the airline’s largest connecting hubs.