American Expands Flagship Dining With New Menu and Thomas Keller Pairing
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American Airlines is expanding access to Flagship Dining at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Miami International Airport (MIA) beginning September 15, giving more premium customers access to its sit-down lounge dining experience. The carrier is also introducing a refreshed four-course Flagship Dining menu featuring seasonal and regional dishes, as well as an exclusive KHK Wines and K+M Extravirgin Chocolate pairing curated by Chef Thomas Keller.
American Expands Flagship Dining With New Menu and Greater Access
Located within American’s Flagship Lounges, Flagship Dining offers eligible passengers a restaurant-style experience before their flight.
“We’re delivering an even more elevated hospitality experience that begins well before customers step on board.”
– Rhonda Crawford, American Airlines
Beginning September 15, passengers traveling in Flagship Business Plus and Flagship Business on qualifying long-haul international, transcontinental and Hawaii Flagship routes will have access to Flagship Dining. The private dining experience was previously limited to passengers traveling in Flagship First.
The airline plans to reopen Flagship Dining at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in late 2026, further expanding the experience across its premium lounge network.
“At American, we’re continually looking for ways to elevate the customer experience and create moments that make travel more memorable,” said American Airlines Senior Vice President of Customer Experience and Design Rhonda Crawford. “By expanding access to Flagship Dining and introducing new menu enhancements, including an exclusive wine and chocolate pairing from KHK Wines and K+M Extravirgin Chocolate curated by Chef Thomas Keller, we’re delivering an even more elevated hospitality experience that begins well before customers step on board.”
The expanded access comes alongside a refreshed four-course menu developed by the airline’s culinary team. The new dishes combine seasonal ingredients and regional flavors, with several menu items inspired by the regions around American’s major hubs. Options include roasted purple cauliflower steak, the Flagship burger, churro bread pudding, Texas pear and burrata salad, mesquite-grilled beef filet and a California artisan board.
The regional focus gives American another way to make each Flagship Dining location feel more connected to its home market. Instead of offering the same menu everywhere, the airline can use local flavors and ingredients to create a more distinctive experience at each lounge.
Flagship Dining will continue to operate on a space-available basis. Eligible passengers can check in with the host team inside the Flagship Lounge when they arrive. If a table is not immediately available, they can join an electronic waitlist and receive a notification when their table is ready.
Thomas Keller Pairing Brings Wine and Chocolate to Flagship Dining
American is adding another premium touch through a new collaboration with Chef Thomas Keller, KHK Wines and K+M Extravirgin Chocolate.
Keller curated a special pairing featuring KHK Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon with K+M Extravirgin Chocolate and K+M hazelnut dragées. The pairing will be available to Flagship Dining guests and visitors to The Chelsea Lounge at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Keller co-founded K+M Extravirgin Chocolate, which is made with extra virgin olive oil, with Italian olive oil producer Armando Manni and serves as a founding ambassador for KHK Wines. The K+M chocolates and hazelnut dragées included in the pairing are also served at Keller’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant, The French Laundry, in Yountville, California.
“KHK is a vineyard partnership and a tribute to the longtime friendships among Jim Keller, a fourth-generation Napan with no relation to me, and the Hall family, of Hall’s Chophouse,” Keller said. “My role is to lend a chef’s palate and guidance. We all share deep roots in wine, food and memorable experiences, and our vision for the perfect everyday Cabernet has come together.”
The KHK Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon was created in collaboration with Napa Valley winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, who has produced more than 60 Cabernet Sauvignons that have received 100-point scores. The wine was developed to complement the flavors of K+M Extravirgin Chocolate and the hazelnut dragées.
The collaboration goes beyond Flagship Dining, with KHK Cabernet Sauvignon also available across all Flagship Lounges as American continues to expand its premium food and beverage offerings throughout the airport experience.