American Airlines' largest Admirals Club: Charlotte, 2028

American Airlines plans to open its largest Admirals Club ever at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, with a lounge that will span more than 40,000 square feet on the mezzanine level overlooking the central atrium. Simple Flying reports construction work starts later this year and the club is expected to open in early 2028.

At more than 40,000 square feet, the new club will surpass the 37,000-square-foot Terminal C Admirals Club American announced at Dallas/Fort Worth in July. The Charlotte lounge will include spa-style shower suites, bars, multiple serveries, and space for dining, work and relaxation. Simple Flying says the design takes cues from Charlotte's tree canopy and textile heritage.

American's chief customer officer, Heather Garboden, said: "Designing a lounge that gives our customers more space to relax, work and recharge is our top priority. We’re incredibly excited to bring our biggest Admirals Club lounge yet to CLT, where millions of customers pass through every year."

The broader premium push

The new Admirals Club is one of several lounge projects at Charlotte. American has already announced the airport's first Flagship Lounge, and last year it opened Provisions by Admirals Club, a grab-and-go concept near Gate A1. This club is separate from the Flagship Lounge, and American has not announced that lounge's location, size or opening date.

While construction is underway, the current lounges in Concourses B and C/D and the Provisions outlet near Gate A1 will remain open, according to Simple Flying.

Charlotte is American's second-largest hub after Dallas/Fort Worth, with more than 650 peak-day flights to over 180 destinations in 27 countries. The airport served 53.6 million passengers last year, and 65% of them were connecting through Charlotte rather than starting or ending their trips there. That connecting traffic helps explain the lounge's size: millions of passengers need a place to work, eat or wait between flights.

The airport is also expanding. A fourth runway is due to open in fall 2027, and long-term plans add 10 gates to Concourse B and 12 to Concourse C. Delta has opened a 14,000-square-foot Sky Club at Charlotte, and Capital One is planning another 14,000-square-foot facility.

Not the only mega-lounge

American's Charlotte project is part of a larger trend. Simple Flying notes a roughly 54,000-square-foot United Club planned for Houston's rebuilt Terminal B, a nearly 41,000-square-foot Alaska lounge complex at Seattle-Tacoma, and a 39,707-square-foot Delta One Lounge at New York JFK.

For travelers, the takeaway is that lounges are becoming a bigger part of the premium experience, not just a place to wait. If your connection runs through Charlotte after early 2028, you should have more room and more options than the current setup. Until then, the current Admirals Clubs stay open during construction.

• Admirals Club
• airport lounges
• American Airlines
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport
• CLT
• Heather Garboden