Bartenders at the first airline club in the industry
American Airlines
American Airlines is closing a page of airline history today when it closes its first-ever Admirals Club at New York LaGuardia airport. It is moving locations from concourse D to concourse A at terminal B. The original lounge first opened its doors in 1939. Another lounge will replace it in the new terminal effective the morning of Dec. 16, just in time for the holiday travel rush.
Originally, this historic location was an invitation-only club with members, known as “admirals,” invited by the airline’s chairman C.R. Smith. New York LaGuardia was one of the airline’s top destinations, and such was the importance of the destination, that the airline even moved its offices and hangars from Chicago to LaGuardia. Smith, and the airline’s sales team, gave important customers, legislators and well-known people membership to the club. It wasn’t until 1967 when the airline began selling membership to the general public.
The invitation letter for admirals that were invited to the club in its early days.
American Airlines
Originally, the dues were $25 per year (or $250 for lifetime membership). Today, membership for a non-elite status member costs $550 although members can choose to pay with AAdvantage miles or gain access via an eligible credit card.
The industry’s first airline lounge will close Dec. 15. This image shows the lounge that will … [+]
American Airlines
Today, most major network airlines (and some credit card brands) in the United States have their own airline lounge system. American’s clubs are still called Admirals Clubs with more than 50 across the the country (and a few overseas).
C.R. Smith’s original private collection of whiskey is still on display in the LaGuardia Admirals … [+]