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Introduction
During my journey to Palm Springs (PSP) for Coachella 2024, I had a three-hour layover in Chicago O’Hare (ORD). Flying in American Airlines First Class, I used the opportunity to visit the American Airlines Admirals Club (AL) in Terminal 3. The lounge impressed me with its spaciousness, amenities, and offerings, making it a highlight of my travel day.
Window view from the lounge
Admirals Club Lounge ORD – Location and Access
ORD has three Admirals Club lounges in Terminal 3. I made my way to the one in Concourse H/K, near gate H6. From gate H6, you take a left, follow the signs, and the lounge is on your left-hand side. After a quick check of your entry requirements by the receptionist, you take the elevator to the third floor, where the lounge is situated.
Admirals Club Lounge ORD – Entrance
Access to this lounge is available to those holding OneWorld Emerald status, flying First Class on American Airlines or a OneWorld partner flight in business or higher, or holding an eligible American Airlines AAdvantage credit card. Despite some initial confusion about domestic First Class passengers being denied access, I was granted entry as my journey started internationally in Canada.
Reception Area
Admirals Club Lounge ORD – Lounge Layout
The Admirals Club at ORD is massive, offering plenty of space to spread out. Upon entering the third floor, you’ll find the main bar to your right. This bar serves two signature drinks, beer, wine, and standard rail spirits, though premium alcohol comes at an additional cost. The first buffet station is also nearby.
Walking further into the lounge, I encountered a small children’s room with kid-sized seating but no toys or entertainment options. During my visit, a family used the soundproof room to change their baby, an appreciated feature that ensures a quieter experience for other passengers.
Children’s room
Continuing past the seating areas, I discovered rows of comfortable leather couches in varying colours—gray, red, and more—all equipped with USB and standard North American plugs. The large floor-to-ceiling windows offered views of planes taking off and taxiing, although semi-frosted blinds somewhat obscured the vistas. I felt the blinds were unnecessary, especially given the rainy weather during my visit.
Lounge Seating
More Seating
Sofas and Loungers
Additional seating area
Further into the lounge, I found the second buffet station, mirroring the main buffet and another bar. This thoughtful duplication ensures convenient food and drink access no matter where you sit. Beyond this area lies the business center, equipped with workstations, a printer, and even a conference room available for booking—a fantastic amenity for business travellers.
Business Center
Conference Room
Nearby are the bathrooms, shower facilities, and a “Mother’s Room” for nursing mothers. The showers require an appointment and a key, which can be obtained from the reception desk. A quiet room with full-body recliners and a no-cell phone policy is also available for those seeking rest.
Showers and Bathrooms
The circular layout of the lounge brings you back to the main bar and reception area, creating a seamless flow. The sheer size of this lounge easily accommodates a high volume of travellers, making it feel less crowded despite being over 50% full during my visit.
Admirals Club Lounge ORD – Food and Drinks
As I visited during breakfast, the food selection included several cold options: cereals, English muffins, bagels, banana bread, Greek yogurt, chia pudding, and fresh fruit. The hot food offerings featured Denver omelette folds and breakfast sausages, satisfying for a lounge meal.
Avocado Toast Station
Buffet Station
Beverage Station
Cold options
The avocado toast station was a highlight of the food experience, staffed by an attentive attendant who prepared fresh servings. There was a soda station for drinks, and the coffee machine offered cappuccinos, lattes, espressos, and more. Compared to the Admirals Club at YYZ, the food options here were notably superior.
More Breakfast Options
Muffins Bagels and Cereals
Beer and Wine options
Alcohol and Liquor option
Breakfast in lounge
While the bar provided a decent selection of complimentary beverages, premium spirits came with an additional charge—a common policy for Admirals Clubs. I prefer complimentary alcohol in lounges, as offered by Amex Centurion Lounge (Atlanta – Review) and Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge (San Francisco – Review), but I understand this is standard practice for American Airlines.
Takeaway
The Admirals Club Lounge ORD is an excellent lounge, offering spacious seating, varied amenities, and solid food and drink options. Its massive space size and thoughtful amenities, such as the business center, quiet room, and plentiful charging ports, make it a comfortable spot for travellers.
While I appreciated the generous food options, I’d give the lounge a perfect score if premium alcohol were complimentary. Additionally, the semi-frosted blinds slightly diminished the enjoyment of the otherwise stunning tarmac views.
Overall, I rate this lounge an 8/10. If you’re flying through ORD and have access, it’s worth a visit. Its vast size and thoughtful amenities make it stand out compared to smaller Admirals Clubs, such as the one at YYZ. This lounge is a winner for those seeking a quiet, comfortable environment with decent food options and some of the best views of airport activity.
Safe travels! ✈️
1 comment
I agree about all Anthony’s observations about this lounge. Flying AA Business Class from Toronto is a great way to get to Palm Springs, or indeed anywhere in Continental USA, Mexico and beyond. Lounges are but one reason. In this lounge later in the day, there’s a great meatball in tomato sauce at the all-you-can-eat buffet. My partner always asks “are we going to the meatball lounge?” when we fly through ORD. Everyone’s takeaway from this should be: build a stash of AAdvantage points, through RBC Avion or other sources. AA can be a superior experience on may routes. AC is fine and let’s face it, often unavoidable but diversification pays dividends.