American Airlines Admirals Club / British Airways Executive Club

American Airlines Admirals Club / British Airways Executive Club – Denver, CO (DEN)

The American Airlines Admirals Club at Denver International Airport is located at the center of Concourse A, on the mezzanine level. When walking from the Jeppesen Terminal (where check-in and security controls take place), you’ll find the entrance to the Admirals Club immediately at the end of the walkway to Concourse A, before going down to the concourse level. From the A gates, make your way to the central rotunda (follow the signs to Baggage Claim and Concourses B/C), then go up to the mezzanine level and follow the signs.

The lounge welcomes Admirals Club members, international premium passengers departing on a flight operated by a oneworld airline, and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire customers. British Airways customers traveling in Club World, and passengers who hold British Airways Executive Club Silver or Gold status receive access to the Admirals Club when traveling on flight BA 218 to London Heathrow. In fact, the Admirals Club is co-branded as a British Airways Executive Club, and sports a large British Airways airplane model outside. British Airways agent are available at the club prior to BA departures.

American Airlines Admirals Club / British Airways Executive Club DEN design

American Airlines Admirals Club / British Airways Executive Club – Denver, CO (DEN)

The American Airlines Admirals Club at Denver International Airport is located in a former event and conference center, which has been hastily converted into a lounge area for American, Delta, and the USO. The airport has put virtually no effort into remodeling: the former lobby, reception desk, and coat check are still intact, as well as adjacent office spaces and cubicles. The lounges (Delta and USO to the left, American Airlines to the right), occupy former meeting rooms.

Even though it opened in 2010, the Admirals Club is about as attractive as an office space from the 80s, with grey walls (assorted with the grey carpet), indoor plants, and wood paneling. The furniture is also past its prime, but at least the occasional red chairs add a pop of color to the drab ensemble. The space is dimly lit, and receives little daylight as it overlooks the lower concourse.

American Airlines Admirals Club / British Airways Executive Club – Denver, CO (DEN)

American managed to pack over 120 seats in a 5,100 square-foot space, so the club offers little privacy overall, though the slightly awkward layout might be the silver lining: immediately behind the lobby, make a sharp right turn and you’ll hit a dim but secluded seating area with is easy to miss and thus tends to be seldom used.

Seating options include traditional lounge seats with side consoles, dining and cocktail tables in the bar area, and tabletop seating overlooking the concourse and its amusing artwork. While the space shows its age, power outlets are plentiful.

American Airlines Admirals Club / British Airways Executive Club DEN amenities

American Airlines Admirals Club / British Airways Executive Club – Denver, CO (DEN)

Given American Airlines’ relatively minor presence at Denver International Airport, and the limited real estate they have to work with, the Admirals Club Denver offers only a set of basic of amenities.

The food spread is modest at best. Guests will find a salad bar (typically a make-your-own Mediterranean salad station), snacks (chips and fresh guacamole are a popular feature), soups, sweets, and cookies. The selection is slightly more substantial ahead of British Airways departure times.

On the drinks front, a Coca-Cola Freestyle machine dispenses a virtually unlimited soda selection at the touch of a button. Patrons will also find infused water and an espresso machines (minus the typical assortment of syrups.) House wines and well drinks are complimentary at the bar, while premium drinks come at a cost. Again, British Airways customers benefit from preferential treatment, with complimentary cocktails upon presentation of their boarding pass.

American Airlines Admirals Club / British Airways Executive Club – Denver, CO (DEN)

Business amenities include two PCs (one in the bar area, one in a nook leading to the rear seating zone), a wireless printer/copier, and complimentary Wi-Fi. There is also a small selection of newspapers and magazines. Incidentally, the quietest and most private work spaces are located just outside the lounge, in the lobby of the former conference center.

Next to the buffet area is a nook for kids outfitted with colorful chairs, video games, and plush toys. The intention is laudable, but the quarters are tight, and the lack of a door may be bothersome for patrons seated nearby.

The bathrooms are shared between the USO lounge, the Delta Sky Club, and the American Airlines Admirals Club, and are technically located outside the lounge.

American Airlines Admirals Club / British Airways Executive Club DEN bottom line

American Airlines Admirals Club / British Airways Executive Club – Denver, CO (DEN)

The American Airlines Admirals Club at Denver International Airport is hardly a destination, and delivers only the basics: comfortable seating, power outlets, snacks, Wi-Fi, and a few business amenities. Considering American’s relatively small footprint at Denver airport, and given that most of the passengers are bound for domestic destinations, there’s ultimately little more to expect.

As an international business class lounge for British Airways, however, the Admirals Club Denver disappoints. The space can hardly accommodate the influx of premium and elite customers, and the club lacks international-grade amenities such as showers or hot food.

It’s unfortunate that Denver airport did not invest in remodeling the former conference center to allocate more real estate to airline lounges, but there is also little competitive pressure. The Delta Sky Club next door is similarly unattractive. Even United, the largest tenant at Denver International Airport, has hardly modernized the two United Clubs in the last 15 years. The Admirals Club is mostly on par, just with less real estate to work with.