The American Airlines Flagship Lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) offers an elevated lounge experience compared to the Admirals Club one level below, with a nice buffet and plenty of room to spread out.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge Chicago Review (ORD)

I’ve visited this lounge many times, especially while I held oneworld emerald status from British Airways, and appreciate that American Airlines offers an elevated lounge product at its O’Hare hub.

Hours + Access + Location

I love the Terminal 3 concourse in Chicago O’Hare…if you love Home Alone, how could you not? You’ll find the lounge in the connector between concourses H and K.

The lounge is open daily from 5:00 am to 12:30 am.

Access is available to:

• First or business passengers on a qualifying same-day international, transcontinental or other domestic flight marketed as “Flagship” (AA does not offer domestic Flagship flights except on its Chicago – Honolulu route)
  • First class passengers can bring in one guest
• Concierge Key members (AA’s invite-only elite tier)
• oneworld emerald and sapphire members
  • Passengers who hold emerald or sapphire status via American or Alaska must be traveling on a same-day longhaul oneworld flight, though not necessarily from ORD
• American now sells access to all flyers for $150 or 15,000 AAdvantage miles per person on a space-available basis if traveling on a oneworld flight

When you check in at the front desk, you’ll be handed a black laminated card. Take the elevator up to the “Flagship” floor, where you will be present the card to gain access to the lounge.

Seating

The 17,000-square-foot lounge includes multiple zones, including several seating areas. While the lounge can fill up a bit in the early evening, I’ve never seen it packed. There’s a seating area in the center of the lounge much like an Admirals Club, then a dining area to the left and a lounge and TV room to the right.

Throughout the lounge you’ll find 120-volt power outlets and USB-A ports within reach.

The lounge offers some nice views of aircraft arriving and departing.

Food + Drink

The main difference between an Admirals Club and a Flagship Lounge is the upgraded food and beverage options. While this Flagship Lounge does not have an a la carte dining area, it does have a nice buffet of hot and cold dishes…I quite enjoyed the fish, chicken, and vegetables here.

There’s also a self-serve bar, unlike the staffed bars in Admirals Clubs and even a separate Bloody Mary bar. In addition to alcohol, there is a Coke Freestyle machine, coffee machines, tea, and fruit juices.

Restrooms + Showers

Restrooms and dedicated showers are available…request a shower suite at the reception desk.

Flight Help

AA still lags Delta and United when it comes to its app, making the flight support desk all the more helpful in the case of irregular operations. When my Chicago – London flight was delayed, the AA app was worthless, but the lounge staff offered me options and kept us informed…it’s the single most important feature of a lounge (versus waiting hours in a snaking customer service line in the concourse). One day, I hope AA’s app will be sophisticated enough to allow passengers to rebook themselves, but as of now the flight help desk is needed. A British Airways staff member is also present here when BA flights are departing.

CONCLUSION

AA introduced its Flagship Lounges before United introduced Polaris Lounges or Delta introduced its Delta One Lounges. While I’d argue that both United and Delta have leapfrogged AA in terms of premium lounge offerings, that’s not to say this or any other AA Flagship Lounges is somehow subpar. The ORD Flagship Lounge is a very nice lounge with delicious food and no crowding. I quite enjoyed it.