American Airlines Doubles Down on Chicago: New 10,000 Square Feet Admirals Club to Open
American Airlines is deepening its consolidation strategy at Chicago O’Hare through a direct investment in premium infrastructure. The company announced plans to open a new and expanded Admirals Club in Concourse L, a facility exceeding 10,000 square feet that will replace the current lounge in that same terminal.
The announcement was made by Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer, during the 2026 Choose Chicago Annual Meeting. This move is part of a broader offensive combining network growth, strengthening of premium products, and expanded connectivity from one of the most competitive hubs in the United States.
An Investment Focused on Experience and Operational Capacity
American currently operates more than 500 daily flights from O’Hare, a figure reflecting the strategic importance of the Chicago market within its network. In this context, the expansion of the lounge space is not a cosmetic gesture, but a direct response to the scale of operations.
The new Admirals Club in Concourse L will feature:
- Over 10,000 square feet of surface area.
- Replacement of the existing lounge in the same terminal.
- Increased seating capacity.
- Enhanced amenities.
- Floor-to-ceiling windows with direct tarmac views.
- Design elements inspired by the local Chicago community.
The concept will follow the line of the company’s modernized lounges, organized into “neighborhoods” or distinct zones, each with specific offerings tailored to passenger needs: work, relaxation, or socialization.
According to Garboden: “We are helping customers at ORD connect with the world with more than 500 daily flights and we want to offer a premium experience from start to finish. The new Admirals Club® will offer more seats and enhanced amenities and will fully reflect the standards our customers expect”.
Chicago as a Strategic Hub: Network Growth and Critical Mass
American emphasizes that it maintains “deep roots” in Chicago and continues to expand its presence at O’Hare. Over the past year, the airline increased its network from Chicago to more than 180 destinations.
Regarding premium infrastructure, American already maintains at O’Hare:
- An Admirals Club in every concourse.
- A Flagship Lounge located between Concourses H and K.
The expansion in Concourse L strengthens this coverage and increases the capacity to absorb premium traffic in a terminal that concentrates high domestic and connecting volumes.
New Routes: Hawaii with Flagship Business and Domestic Expansion
The reinforcement of Chicago is not limited to ground products. The company announced new strategic routes from O’Hare:
Starting December 2026:
- Non-stop service to Kahului, Hawaii.
- Featuring Flagship Business with lie-flat seats.
- Premium Economy cabin.
Starting in May:
- Allentown, Pennsylvania.
- Columbia, South Carolina.
The inclusion of the Flagship Business product on the Hawaii route is a significant move. In a market like Chicago, where competitors also operate long-haul flights, offering fully reclining seats and Premium Economy allows the airline to capture both corporate and high-value vacation traffic.
Admirals Club Access: A Clear Strategy for AAdvantage Loyalty
The strengthening of the lounge is accompanied by a clearly articulated access policy within the AAdvantage ecosystem. Customers can access the Admirals Club through:
- Admirals Club Membership.
- Qualifying oneworld status.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®, using one of the four 24-hour Globe™ passes.
Additionally, a One Day Pass is available for 79 dollars or 7,900 AAdvantage® miles, valid for 24 hours. This pricing and access structure reinforces the lounge product’s monetization strategy without discouraging long-term loyalty.
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