American Airlines on August 19, 2025, opened its first grab-and-go lounge, called Provisions by Admirals Club, at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The purpose-built space targets travelers moving fast through connections, especially at one of the busiest hubs in the United States. The lounge sits in Concourse A, next to gate A1, and is open daily from 6:15 AM to 10:45 PM.
American says the new concept offers speed, simple food choices, and live help from trained agents during the most stressful part of a trip: getting from one flight to the next.
Design and purpose
Unlike a traditional lounge, the Provisions by Admirals Club is a compact 2,000-square-foot area designed for quick stops and high traffic. There are no couches, quiet rooms, or standard seating—only a few high-top standing tables and limited furniture to keep people moving.
For American’s Charlotte operation, which handles huge numbers of connecting passengers every day, the design reflects a clear aim: give people what they need within minutes and send them on their way.
Access rules, hours, and pricing
American confirms that entry follows the same policy as other Admirals Clubs. That means access is available to:
- Admirals Club members
- Eligible AAdvantage elites and oneworld status holders on qualifying international trips
- Citi / AAdvantage Executive credit card holders
- One Day Pass users at $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles for 24-hour access
Key operational details:
- Location: Concourse A, next to gate A1
- Hours: Daily 6:15 AM – 10:45 PM
- Size: 2,000 square feet
- Staffing: Two Admirals Club representatives on site for customer assistance
Important: Day passes are $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles for 24-hour access.
Food & beverage offerings
The food and drinks are set up for speed rather than long stays:
- Breakfast (6:15 AM – 11:00 AM):
- Pastries, snack mixes, yogurt, fruit, and breakfast meal boxes
- All day (11:00 AM – 10:45 PM):
- Sandwiches, salads, snacks, sweet and salty treats, and meal boxes
- Drinks:
- Canned and bottled nonalcoholic beverages, drip coffee, and tea
Notable exclusions:
- No bar service
- No barista-made coffee (no espresso drinks)
Two Admirals Club representatives staff the space to provide personalized travel assistance, including help during irregular operations and day-of-travel questions. For many flyers—especially those on tight connections—quick access to food plus immediate help from a real person can make the difference between a calm connection and a missed flight.
Context within American’s broader strategy
American describes the new lounge as part of a broader refresh of its premium ground experience. The airline also plans upgrades in other cities, including new Flagship Lounge experiences in Philadelphia and Miami.
- The Charlotte project was announced on July 15, 2025, and opened just over a month later—timing the airline says shows its ability to act quickly as customers’ needs change.
Why the grab-and-go model matters for international flyers
Charlotte is American’s second-largest hub, with over 670 daily departures to more than 170 destinations in 27 countries. That scale means a large share of travelers are passing through rather than starting or ending their trips here. For them, every minute in the terminal counts.
The Provisions by Admirals Club offers a clear path: grab a quick meal box, bottled drink, and coffee, then get to your gate. If a connection gets tight due to a delay, on-site staff can help with same-day options and rebooking support.
For those arriving from overseas, faster ground service can reduce stress during border and security checks:
- Travelers with Global Entry can re-clear more quickly when connecting to domestic flights. Details are available on the U.S. government site at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry.
- Pairing faster entry processing with a quick food stop in Concourse A can help travelers keep moving without skipping meals.
Industry trend and comparison
The Charlotte opening fits a wider pattern in premium travel: airlines are building more flexible spaces that match how people actually move through hubs today. Examples:
- United has tested similar grab-and-go ideas
- Air Canada has piloted quick-stop lounges
American’s version blends speed with live customer service in a tightly focused footprint. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this approach matches a growing need among time-pressed flyers who want premium options without sitting down for long stretches.
Leadership remarks
Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer, said:
“We’re excited to open this new lounge space for our customers at CLT. Millions of customers travel through CLT on American every year and the Provisions by Admirals Club lounge is focused on providing those customers with an easy and convenient solution during their travel journey.”
Ralph Lopez Massas, the airline’s senior vice president for Charlotte operations, has also emphasized the hub’s importance and the goal of improving the customer experience on the ground.
Who the lounge is for — and who it isn’t
Ideal uses:
- Short layovers where sitting down is not practical
- Early morning departures when quick breakfast items are sufficient
- Irregular operations when face-to-face help from an agent can solve problems fast
Not suitable for:
- Long work sessions (no standard seats or tables)
- Flyers seeking a full-service bar or espresso drinks
- Anyone looking for a quiet place to rest
Typical use case
A typical stop might last only a few minutes:
- Arrive from an international flight and clear passport control.
- Head to Concourse A for a domestic connection.
- Pick up a meal box, bottled water, and coffee.
- Speak to a representative about seat changes or delays.
- Walk to the gate and continue the journey.
The design rewards speed, and the food lineup is built to travel.
What’s next
American says Charlotte’s size and connection volume made it the right place to start. The airline will monitor customer usage and may expand the concept to other major hubs if it proves popular.
The company continues investing in premium ground experiences across its network, and Provisions by Admirals Club adds a new tool for handling busy connection banks without crowding traditional lounges.
Quick reference (at a glance)
- Location: Concourse A, next to gate A1
- Hours: 6:15 AM – 10:45 PM daily
- Size: 2,000 sq ft
- Access: Admirals Club members, eligible elites, Citi Executive cardholders, One Day Pass ($79 or 7,900 miles)
- Food: Breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, snacks, meal boxes
- Drinks: Canned/bottled beverages, drip coffee, tea
- Service: Two on-site Admirals Club representatives for travel assistance
- Not available: Full bar service or barista espresso drinks
For the latest access rules, membership details, and any updates to hours or offerings, American encourages customers to check the Admirals Club section of its website. As the airline refines this new model, the Charlotte lounge will serve as a test of how well quick-stop premium spaces can support today’s busy, global travel patterns.
This Article in a Nutshell
American Airlines opened Provisions by Admirals Club at CLT on August 19, 2025, a 2,000-square-foot grab-and-go lounge offering quick meal boxes, drip coffee, and live agent assistance for tight connections between 6:15 AM and 10:45 PM daily, prioritizing speed over seating while following standard Admirals Club access rules.
