The fireplace glowed. Quiet voices matched the muted decor. I sank into a comfy chair and looked through large windows toward the chaos on the Concourse below.
American Airlines’ Admirals Club on Concourse E in Terminal 2 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, is what a domestic airport lounge should be. It’s a quiet reprieve from the bedlam of air travel.
American Airlines has begun rolling out “a reimagined premium Admirals Club design”. It features lots of open space, good lighting, and a speak-easy vibe, with natural woods, mosaic tile, and cushy carpeting. The Club on Concourse E at Reagan National was the first to feature the new design, followed by lounges at Newark Liberty International Airport and Denver International Airport.
I’ve visited the redesigned Club at Reagan National before my most recent flights to Las Vegas and San Diego. There are also Admirals Clubs on Concourses C and D, but they do not feature the elegant redesign.
The Club is located on the mezzanine level of Terminal 2, with an entrance on the first floor between the Capitol File News stand and P.F. Changs restaurant. It has interior windows that look down on the main floor. Exterior windows offer views of the tarmac and of the unique Washington skyline. The Club pays homage to our nation’s capital with cherry-blossom art work and dome-shaped light fixtures featuring fragments from historic speeches. (The former Cabinet speechwriter in me got a big kick out of those.)
The lay-out offers the best of both worlds. There are places to read or work alone and spots to chat with companions.
On one side is the bar and buffet. I was there at breakfast time, and the food options are similar to what you’d find at a select-service hotel. Later in the day, there are light bites like a taco bar. For more options, you can also order from a menu. There is café-style seating with tables and booths.
On the other side is the quiet relaxation area. This is where the fireplace is, along with comfy sofas, recliners, and club chairs. There is also a small snack area.
There are plenty of grounded outlets and USB ports throughout the Club. The rest rooms were clean and comfortable.
Overall, the Club is warm and well-lit. It is large, and you should be able to find seating that meets your needs easily. Its refined design makes it a welcome oasis from the unseemliness that characterizes so much of air travel.
Between the indecency of “security” and the undignified stampede of boarding, it offers a brief respite of elevated peace.
After my misspent youth as a wage worker, I’m having so much more fun as a blogger, helping other discerning travellers plan fun and fascinating journeys. Read more …