At first there was one. Then there were seven. And now…we’re looking at fifteen and growing. The American Express Centurion Lounge Network, arguably our favorite benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, has outlined its path of global lounge domination over the next year, and we’re excited!
In the off-chance you missed the memo, the Centurion Lounge Network is the card’s signature, state-of-the-art lounge collection. With plenty of high-end amenities and high-design elements, these lounges are far cries from the stale-pretzel snack dispensers, well cocktails, and cracked-leather seats we associate with many (but not all) airport lounges.
A year ago at this time, we were announcing the debut of the eighth and ninth lounges in the network, in Philadelphia and Hong Kong, respectively. Then, the original lounge at Dallas/Fort Worth closed in mid-2018 and reopened in a bigger and better location. Together, American Express closes out 2018 with lounges operating in Dallas/Fort Worth, Hong Kong, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, New York [LGA], Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle.
By this time next year, we should be looking at the opening of the 15th Centurion Lounge. In early December 2018, American Express confirmed construction on a new lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and London Heathrow International Airport (LHR) while indicating plans for a lounge at Phoenix, Arizona, Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Add this to in-progress lounges at New York [JFK], Denver, and Los Angeles, and 2019 looks poised to be a watershed year for the Centurion Lounge network. Here’s what we know about the six newbies so far.
Centurion Lounge at Charlotte Douglas Airport
American Express has confirmed plans for an early 2020 opening of a 13,000-square-foot Centurion Lounge. The new lounge will be part of the airport’s $2.5 billion expansion and will be located on the third level in the expansion between Terminals D and E, near the airport’s central atrium. The new lounge will feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the airfield and downtown as well as the Centurion Lounge hallmarks, including complimentary food and beverage from top local chefs and mixologists, a family room, shower suites, noise-buffering workspaces, and more.
Terminal D currently serves Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, El Al Airlines, Finnair Airlines, Iberia Airlines, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, and United Airlines. Terminal E, currently in the progress of expanding, serves American Airlines and its subsidiaries.
Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow Airport
An American Express Centurion Lounge is set to open in 2019 in Terminal 3, which serves most Oneworld airlines, including American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, SriLankan Airlines, and TAM. Select flights on Oneworld member British Airways do leave from Terminal 3, but the majority depart from Terminal 5. Terminal 3 also serves Delta Airlines, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic. The lounge will be a modest 7,000 square feet (half the size of the newer standard of Centurion Lounges) and will house showers, private work stations, and a bar and buffet featuring a new generation of London-inspired food and drink.
Centurion Lounge at Phoenix Airport
Rumors have been swirling that ‘The Club at PHX’ lounge, currently affiliated with Priority Pass®, will be divided to create a new, smaller iteration of ‘The Club at PHX’ as well as a Centurion Lounge. At press time, this division is being voted on by city council. If it passes, passengers departing form Terminal 4, the largest terminal in the airport, would have access to the new Centurion Lounge. Airlines served in Terminal 4 include Air Canada, American Airlines, British Airways, Southwest Airlines, Volaris, and West Jet.
Centurion Lounge at New York JFK Airport
American Express promises “spectacular views of the airfield, exceptional amenities, and one-of-a-kind design elements” for its largest lounge ever. Set to open in 2019, it will be cast over two stories and across an impressive 15,000 square feet. Like its peers, this Centurion Lounge will feature contemporary furnishings, bespoke food and beverage programs by a local celebrity chef, craft cocktail menus, shower suites, high-speed Wi-Fi, and noise-buffering workspaces.
Centurion Lounge at Los Angeles Airport
Come late 2019, a 14,000-square-foot Centurion Lounge is scheduled to debut at Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). Though it will mostly serve international passengers, domestic travelers in Terminal 4 (American Airlines) and Terminal 5 (Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Frontier, Hawaiian Air, JetBlue, Spirit, and Sun Country) will still be able to access the lounge through the TBIT Connector walkway—as will those flying out of Terminals 6 (Air Canada, Alaska Airlines), 7 (United), and 8 (United). However, note that Terminals 6–8 can be quite the hike to TBIT. Read: You’ll need a very long layover to enjoy the lounge experience. There are no details yet on the amenities that will be included at the LAX Centurion Lounge.
Centurion Lounge at Denver Airport
Plans are underway for a 2019 opening of a 14,650-square-foot lounge in Concourse C, which services Alaska, Allegiant, Southwest, and Spirit. However, since all terminals are connected airside at the airport, it will be possible to visit the lounge after passing security, regardless of airline flown. It will just take a bit more time to get between your gate and the lounge if not flying the Concourse C airlines. The new lounge is set to include high-end amenities aplenty, including a spa, wine- and beer-tasting areas, and a tranquility space for sleeping.
