Flagship Dining. Photo: American Airlines American Airlines is expanding access to its premium Flagship Dining experience, giving more eligible international and premium travelers the opportunity to enjoy sit-down dining before their flights.
Flagship Dining. Photo: American AirlinesBeginning September 15, 2026, customers traveling in Flagship Business Plus and Flagship Business on qualifying long-haul international, transcontinental, and Hawaii Flagship routes will be able to access Flagship Dining. The benefit was previously reserved for customers traveling in Flagship First.
Flagship Dining is currently available at American Airlines lounges at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Miami International Airport (MIA). The airline is also bringing the new food and beverage offering to The Chelsea Lounge at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
The airline says the changes are designed to provide a more elevated experience before passengers board their flights.
"At American, we're continually looking for ways to elevate the customer experience and create moments that make travel more memorable," said Rhonda Crawford, American's Senior Vice President of Customer Experience and Design .
Alongside the expanded access, American is introducing a refreshed four-course Flagship Dining menu developed by its culinary team.
Flagship Dining. Photo: American AirlinesThe seasonal menu combines regional flavors with carefully sourced ingredients and refined cooking techniques.
Flagship Dining. Photo: American AirlinesAmong the featured dishes are roasted purple cauliflower steak, the Flagship burger, churro bread pudding, Texas pear and burrata salad, mesquite grilled beef filet and a California artisan board.
Flagship Dining. Photo: American AirlinesSome dishes are designed to reflect the character of America's major hubs, adding regional touches to the premium dining experience.
American is also preparing to reopen its private Flagship Dining facility at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in late 2026. The location is expected to be particularly useful for international passengers with long layovers or lengthy flights ahead.
Perhaps the most distinctive addition is an exclusive wine and chocolate pairing created with KHK Wines and K+M Extra Virgin Chocolate.
Chef Thomas Keller curated the experience, co-founded K+M Extravirgin Chocolate with Italian olive oil producer Armando Manni, and serves as a founding ambassador for KHK Wines.
The pairing brings together KHK Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon, K+M Extravirgin Chocolate and K+M hazelnut dragées. The Cabernet was created in collaboration with Napa Valley winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown and is designed to complement the flavors of the chocolates.
The pairing is inspired by the experience at Keller's three Michelin-star restaurant, The French Laundry, in Yountville, California.
KHK Cabernet will also be available beyond Flagship Dining, with customers visiting American's Flagship lounges and The Chelsea Lounge able to enjoy the wine.
Flagship Dining. Photo: American Airlines
The expanded access applies to customers traveling in Flagship Business on qualifying routes. However, dining is space-available, meaning passengers should check with the host team when they arrive at the Flagship Lounge.
If a table is available immediately, guests can be seated. When the dining room is full, passengers can join an electronic waitlist and receive a notification when their table becomes available.
For premium travelers flying through American's major hubs, the changes mean that a sit-down restaurant-style meal, rather than traditional lounge buffet service, will become available to a significantly wider group of eligible passengers.