The American Airlines Admirals Club in Dallas – Fort Worth (DFW) Terminal D is worth a stop for the guacamole alone…but otherwise just another crowded domestic AA lounge.
American Airlines Admirals Club DFW Terminal D Review
My flight was about a week before the nearby Flagship Lounge reopened, which was regrettable, but with a feast awaiting me onboard, it probably was best I was not tempted by a nice spread of lounge food.
Access + Hours + Location
The lounge is located in Terminal D of DFW Airport, near gate D24 (post-security). It is open daily from 5:00 am to 10:15 pm.
Access is reserved for:
- Admirals Club members
- Qualifying first and business class passengers, including those traveling same-day on American or another oneworld member to:
- Asia
- Australia
- Canada
- Caribbean
- Central America
- Europe
- Mexico
- Middle East
- New Zealand
- South America
- “Flagship” first class customers traveling to Hawaii:
- Honolulu (HNL)
- Kona (KOA)
- Maui (OGG)
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Platinum members traveling internationally in any cabin of service
- oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members from other oneworld carriers (on any oneworld itinerary in any cabin of service)
- Admirals Club day pass holders
- Citi / AAdvantage Executive Card authorized users
- Active-duty military traveling in uniform with military ID
International first class and oneworld elite customers are allowed one guest (a child over two counts as a guest). Admirals Club members or members of the military may bring in their “immediate family” (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18) or two guests.
Seating
Upstairs, I found a large and airy lounge, but it was quite crowded (though not quite as bad as the nearby AMEX Centurion Lounge). I had no trouble finding a seat, but most seats were occupied.
The good news is that when you find a seat, you are likely to find a plug nearby. Furthermore, the internet worked well.
In one corner of the lounge, I even found some unused easy chairs that looked comfortable enough to nap in.
Food + Drink
Unlike Delta SkyClubs and United Clubs, American Airlines offers a complimentary selection of food and drink items, but also sells food. The menu was posted in the buffet area:
There was also a vending machine offering food and drink to go:
I certainly understand the appeal of offering food, especially when American Airlines has not restored its full buy-onboard service offerings that were available before the pandemic. At the same time, it really screams “cheap” to offer food via a vending machine in a membership lounge.
There was actually plenty of free food available, including a lovely guacamole station, build-your-own BBQ sliders, soups, salads, raw vegetables with hummus or ranch dip, cheese cubes, cookies, brownies, whole fruit (apples and oranges), and candy.
I can (dangerously) eat chips and guacamole all day and appreciated this aspect of the lounge most of all.
Non-alcoholic beverages included coffee from La Colombe, tea, and a Coke Freestyle machine.
The bar area includes beer, wine, and a limited selection of liquor for free, plus other drinks for purchase.
Restrooms + Showers
Shower facilities and large restrooms were available. There was a wait for the showers, so I have not included any pictures of the shower suites.
CONCLUSION
The guacamole made this lounge stop worthwhile and even though the lounge was crowded, I had no trouble finding a seat. While I’ll go straight to the nearby Capital One lounge next time, I was happy to check this one out and appreciate that there is more to eat than just sandwiches from a vending machine…
Simply looking at the clientele and their dress suggests the lounge will continue to serve fast food style food.
The fact is that the clientele is the same in every lounge of every airline. Even in the Amex lounges. Even in the first class lounges of premium international carriers, the clientele is the same. As for the food, service at all of the domestic lounges are outsourced to the usual-suspect catering firms. It’s hard to truly expect differentiation.
Excuse us, Alexis Carrington.
I have to admit that I burst out laughing when I read the “feast awaiting me aboard” statement. Feast. On American. Please keep up the snark.
Do you know the reason for the lounge not to sell the pastrami or lobster roll sandwiches served in F that have garnered AA catering all kind of culinary awards?
The sandwiches for sale are def cringe
By Dallas standards, that BBQ is considered “above average” and the guacamole is considered “spicy”
Well you really missed out if you went to the Admirals Club instead of the Capital One Club. Everything at the Capital One Club is free and they let you take food and drinks to go located in their to go refrigerated area. The food that they have to offer isn’t made cheaply and is offered in already individual portions thru out the food station. There is a nice little bar area for cocktails and a coffee bar in the back. It’s very comfortable place to relax between flights.
I was there too! I agree – a great lounge.