American Express has officially announced that the most oversized centurion lounge in Atlanta and the world will be located in the United States’ busiest airport.
An Amex representative told media that the issuer is constructing a club at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) about 26,000 square feet. When it finally opens next year, the lounge will be the first in the chain to offer guests access to various outdoor seating options.
Amex hints at some special features for the Atlanta location, such as decor inspired by the South and the city’s history and architecture. A first for a Centurion Lounge, guests may enjoy a contemporary bourbon bar and a full buffet.
The addition of terraces in the centurion lounge in the Atlanta location is the most exciting part. The “city’s thick tree canopy” inspired Amex’s “many outdoor zones.” Aviators can gaze out at the open tarmac from the rooftop observation platform.
That Leaves The Question, “Why Atlanta?”
Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world so they would have a Centurion Lounge there. While the Delta mega hub is filled to the brim with Sky Clubs, passengers of other airlines have few lounge options. The Club at Concourse F is the lone Priority Pass Lounge and lounge for American and United frequent fliers.
The Atlanta City Council stated in public documents that passengers of the remaining 15 airlines at ATL have “just one drastically undersized option,” even if traveling in a premium class. This is a shift in approach for American Express as well.
The credit card company is opening its first club at a key Delta hub in Atlanta. They’ve avoided Delta hubs until now, as Platinum Card from American Express cardholders already has access to Delta Sky Clubs on the day of their Delta flight.
As tourism continues, travel credit card firms are concentrating on constructing new lounges and expanding existing ones. The first Capital One lounge is located in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and later this year, other facilities will open in Denver (DEN) and Washington Dulles (IAD).
Airport lounge competition will soon include Chase, with four proposed U.S. facilities and a Hong Kong (HKG) international office.
However, Amex has only expanded its presence throughout the pandemic, leaving both companies with much ground to make up. After Newark and Washington, DC, the bank announced a facility in Atlanta. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Seattle’s airport lounges will soon undergo expansions (SEA).
Both the Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas (LAS) and the Centurion Lounge in New York City-LaGuardia (LGA) underwent renovations and developments in the previous year. Additionally, the Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow (LHR) officially opened its doors to passengers last year.
Also Read: How To Access The Centurion Lounge In 2023
Centurion Lounge In Atlanta Is Expanding!
There will be a Centurion Lounge for American Express cardholders at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) beginning in 2023; however, we need information regarding its exact debut date or duration.
The lounge’s size, at almost 26,000 square feet, will make it the most oversized Centurion Lounge ever built. The New York (JFK) Centurion Lounge is approximately 15,000 square feet to give you an idea of scale.
In Atlanta, the Amex Centurion Lounge can be found in Terminal 2’s Concourse E. Airside connections between all Atlanta terminals make this lounge available to all fliers. Expect unusual features at the lounge, such as a bourbon bar and various outdoor terraces (a first for a Centurion Lounge).
As the lounge’s launch date draws near, more details regarding its amenities will become available.
American Express secured a 10-year leasing agreement with the City of Atlanta to open this lounge, with options for two 5-year extensions. American Express’s “premium and distinctively positioned non-commercial-venture, paired with the enormous invested commitment in HJAIA and the City,” ultimately won them the lounge contract.
American Express can “offer best-in-class service for the shared premium consumers without the necessity for generating income,” as the article puts it because the company has the financial means to self-finance the $40 million construction project.
Also Read: JFK Airport Lounges (Complete Directory Of JFK Airport Lounges)
This Bar Will Be Frequently Visited.
The Amex Centurion Lounge Atlanta will be the largest of its kind, which is fortunate because it will also attract the most significant number of visitors. That’s because American Express and Delta work so closely together, making many travelers eligible:
- Many Delta passengers carry the Amex Platinum Card for lounge access because cardholders have access to the Amex Centurion Lounges and the Delta SkyClubs when traveling with Delta.
- American Express Delta Reserve Card members have access to Delta SkyClubs and Amex Centurion Lounges on the same day as their Delta flight.
- There’s a good reason why Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport has nine SkyClubs; a sizable portion of the airport’s passengers will also have Centurion Lounge privileges.
Due to its popularity, Amex Centurion Lounges often become overcrowded. There are two possible outcomes here in Atlanta:
- Those who can enter the SkyClub and the Centurion Lounge will choose the latter due to its better food and drinks, making the former slightly less crowded.
- Passengers may stop explicitly looking for the Centurion Lounge if they realize they also have access to the SkyClub (albeit guesting privileges differ at the moment, but that will change).
- My gut tells me the former is more likely than the latter, although I could be wrong.
Also Read: Jetblue Lounge At JFK – All You Need to Know
Conclusion
American Express is on a roll after a rocky start (the company shut down its prestigious centurion lounge in Atlanta, in the early stages of the pandemic). There are currently 13 operational U.S. airports; Newark (EWR) and Washington, DC-Reagan are undergoing expansions, and more are on the way (DCA).
There’s still more to come: That airport is the busiest on the whole vast planet.
Months after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on the possibility based on Atlanta City Council meeting minutes, American Express confirmed Wednesday that it would open an Amex Centurion Lounge in Atlanta (ATL).
Furthermore, the new lounge was designed to accommodate an airport that receives more daily passengers than any other in the world: It will be the most oversized Centurion Lounge ever at almost 26,000 square feet. The Atlanta Lounge will be Amex’s first to feature outdoor areas overlooking the tarmac.
