PHL Admirals Clubs — Which Is Best? [2024]
Philadelphia International Airport is a major hub for American Airlines, which means there is no shortage of lounge options (there are 10 different lounges at PHL!). Three of these are American Airlines Admirals Clubs (and one, which is under construction, will be a Flagship Lounge once it reopens).
Last weekend, I flew to Philly and Chicago to rank Admirals Clubs at the two airports (thanks to finding a cheap ticket via Google Flights). I have Admirals Club access thanks to my Citi AAdvantage Executive card, which I’ve also used to rank Admirals Clubs at DFW.
Terminal B/C Admirals Club
The Terminal B/C Admirals Club is my favorite American Airlines lounge in Philidelphia. It is the largest Admirals Club in Philly, away from the hustle and bustle of the airport on the third floor between Terminal B and Terminal C. I first visited this lounge in college when it was operated by US Airways. Not much has changed since! That isn’t necessarily bad; American Airlines has done a good job at maintaining the lounge. The Terminal B/C Admirals Club has the most seating out of all of the clubs in Philly, along with a full bar, light snacks, and the ability to order meals for an extra charge.
Amenities
- Complimentary warm food, light snacks, and beverages
- Full-service bar
- Wi-Fi
Terminal F Admirals Club
While the Terminal F Admirals Club doesn’t have the best reputation, I consider it the second-best Admirals Club in Philly, especially if you are flying out of Terminal F. It is located above the food court, and offers a nice break from the busy terminal. I particularly like the large windows and natural light. The Terminal F Admirals Club wasn’t busy during my weekend visit.
Amenities
- Complimentary warm food, light snacks, and beverages
- Full-service bar
- Wi-Fi
Admirals Club, Terminal A
Last up is the Terminal A Admirals Club (not to be confused with the under-construction Terminal A Flagship Lounge). I found this lounge to be depressing—it is small and downstairs from the gates. While it has the same amenities as the Terminal F Admirals Club, there is limited seating, so I didn’t stay here long before returning to the Terminal B/C Admirals Club.
Amenities
- Complimentary warm food, light snacks, and beverages
- Full-service bar
- Wi-Fi
Closing Thoughts
To be honest, I was underwhelmed with the Admirals Clubs in Philly since the airport is a major domestic and international gateway for American. I was expecting more, especially after my lounge experiences at DCA and DFW. The clubs are more or less the same since the days of US Airways. Fortunately, American Airlines has done a decent job maintaining the lounges, and the Terminal B/C Admirals Club is the best at the airport.
