American Airlines Doubles Down on Miami—And It’s Bringing Champagne

American Airlines is on a premium push—and it’s not slowing down. Hot on the heels of rolling out its sleek new Flagship Suite on upcoming Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, unveiling stylish amenity kits by New York designer Brandon Blackwood, and cutting ribbons on new lounges in Philadelphia and beyond, the airline is turning its focus back to Miami.

This week, American announced a major upgrade at Miami International Airport (MIA), including a brand-new Flagship Lounge and a significant expansion of its Admirals Club footprint.

Photo: Flagship Dining. Courtesy of American Airlines

“We’re excited to expand and elevate the premium experience for our Flagship customers and also provide a more spacious and calming environment in our Admirals Club lounges,” said Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer. “Our strong partnership with airport leaders and county officials has allowed us to identify solutions that will make our customers’ experience even better.”

Though the Dallas/Fort Worth-based carrier hasn’t announced renders or a timeline yet, the construction project signals a growing commitment to delivering comfort, style, and function to travelers in South Florida—especially business travelers who rely on lounges for productivity and preflight peace.

What’s Changing at MIA

American currently operates three lounges at MIA: an Admirals Club at Gate D15, and combined Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge spaces at Gate D30. The plan now is to convert the current Flagship Lounge at D30 into a larger Admirals Club, while simultaneously building a brand-new, standalone Flagship Lounge elsewhere in the terminal.

Photo: Flagship Dining. Courtesy of American Airlines

The upgrade follows the recent debut of American’s premium lounges in Philadelphia, which opened in May and serve as a blueprint for what Miami travelers can expect. The PHL spaces span 25,000 square feet, and Miami’s forthcoming lounges will aim to replicate that scale and sophistication.

What to Expect: Amenities and Design

Both the new Flagship and expanded Admirals Club lounges will offer a thoughtfully zoned layout catering to different traveler needs. American refers to these areas as “neighborhoods,” each designed with a distinct purpose that includes lounge areas for relaxed, comfortable seating, bar and dining zones for meals and socializing, and villas featuring spa-style showers, family rooms, and quiet workspaces.

The lounges will also feature customary amenities, such as high-speed Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, and clearly displayed flight information screens, ensuring business travelers remain connected and on schedule. Design-wise, expect locally inspired artwork, premium materials, and tranquil restrooms with high-end finishes.

The Flagship First Dining experience offers one of the highest-rated airport cheeseburgers in the industry / Photo: Courtesy of American Airlines

In Flagship Lounges, guests are welcomed with a champagne greeting, locally sourced à la carte dining options, and the famous American Airlines Flagship Burger.

Miami: AA’s International Strategy

“Building on more than three decades of investment in greater Miami, this is yet another milestone that solidifies Miami as a world-class destination and American as its hometown airline,” said Juan Carlos Liscano, American’s Vice President of MIA Operations.

Miami is not only the airline’s largest international gateway—it’s one of its busiest global hubs. American currently operates more than 400 peak daily flights from MIA to 160+ destinations, including 90 served exclusively by American.

Photo: Courtesy of Miami International Airport

The airport is particularly vital for connections to Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America, where the airline leads the industry in network size.

Earlier this summer, American launched a new nonstop service from Miami to Rome, a key addition to its transatlantic map and another signal of Miami’s importance in its long-haul strategy.

With over 14,500 employees in the region, American is also the largest private employer in Miami-Dade County, further underlining its deep local roots and commitment to growth.

How to Access the Lounges

Access to American’s lounge network is tied to a mix of status, fare class, and credit card privileges. The Admirals Club is available through membership, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive card, or qualifying oneworld status, with day passes offered for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles.

Photo: Courtesy of American Airlines

The Flagship Lounge, on the other hand, is open to Platinum members and above, oneworld Emerald and Sapphire elites, and passengers traveling in Flagship cabins internationally, with Single Visit Passes available for $150 or 15,000 AAdvantage miles.

The Bigger Picture

The Miami lounge overhaul is part of a broader premium lounge strategy across American’s network. With existing Flagship lounges at JFK, LAX, DFW, MIA (the soon-to-be former lounge), and now PHL, the airline is targeting key international hubs where customer expectations for exclusivity and comfort run high.

For the business traveler, this development means more space to work, recharge, and escape the terminal hustle—and fewer excuses to settle for a stale pretzel and gate seat when trying to catch up on emails or calls.

As Garboden puts it, “We’re eager to work with [our partners] in building out this enhanced space.” If Philadelphia is any indication, Miami travelers are in for a significant upgrade—and not just at 30,000 feet.