American Airlines International First Class Lounge

The American Airlines International First Class Lounge at LAX serves First Class passengers traveling internationally or on three-class transcontinental flights, in addition to oneworld Emerald and American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum members. Enter through the Admirals Club, check in downstairs, and the agent will provide you with a key card that unlocks the discrete sliding door to the right of the customer service desk upstairs. A friendly agent will greet you and double check your credentials — you’re in!

American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Los Angeles, CA (LAX)

American Airlines International First Class Lounge LAX design

Physically the International First Class lounge is virtually a mirror copy of the adjacent Admirals Club, with the same huge floor-to-ceiling windows offering expansive views on the tarmac, curved ceilings, and light wood paneling which accentuates the feeling of space. That’s mostly where similarities end, though, as the space is much smaller while amenities are significantly superior.

The open seating arrangement affords patrons plenty of space and privacy. A few work cubicles are available, along with dining tables, comfortable lounge chairs, and a relaxation area with seats equipped with Bose noise-reducing headsets plugged into a variety of music channels – a nice amenity if it weren’t for the fact that music is so covered by static that it’s inaudible. Obviously the system has seen better days.

Power outlets are conveniently available at every seat, and while the lounge does get busy at peak times, it does feel reasonably exclusive – in contrast, the Admirals Club is sometimes as crowded as the terminal.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Los Angeles, CA (LAX)

American Airlines International First Class Lounge LAX amenities

The dining area features a buffet, a large drink cooler, plus a generous self-serve bar. Complete meals are available with a full breakfast in the morning and a selection of hot and cold entrees throughout the day. However the quality of the food is hardly a highlight in our opinion — when we visited at breakfast time we enjoyed the fresh berries, but the scrambled eggs screamed motel rather than first class. On the bright side, though, the alcoholic beverage and soft drink selections are expansive and we appreciate the availability of bottled water. Service is prompt and friendly, with servers constantly roaming the lounge to clear cups and plates and replenish the buffet.

Large bathrooms with plenty of room to change are available, as well as three shower suites with Dermalogica amenities.

American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Los Angeles, CA (LAX)

American Airlines International First Class Lounge LAX bottom line

Overall, the American Airlines International First Class Lounge at LAX is a pleasant lounge which offers friendly, personalized service, and is a major step above the adjacent Admirals Club. It is certainly a treat for transcontinental and oneworld Emerald/American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum customers.

For international First Class passengers, though, it’s a mixed bag – while it is the best of what American Airlines has to offer, it offers only limited privacy (due to the somewhat generous access rules) and does not compare with the beautiful Qantas First Class lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), which serves other oneworld airlines. If you have a long layover and are willing to withstand multiple security screenings and a bus ride to TBIT, then it might be worth the trek to enjoy more luxurious surroundings.

For information on other lounges at LAX, possible alternatives, and connections between terminals, check out our Definitive Guide to the LAX Lounge Scene.