American Airlines is shaking up the lounge scene at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) with a new concept designed for travelers who want the lounge experience without the long stay. Basically a place for enhanced customer service help and a grab and go option. Opening in late summer 2025, Provisions by Admirals Club is a streamlined, fast-access lounge in Charlotte. Provisions will be located in Concourse A near gate A1. This is a notable shift in how American is thinking about premium ground services and provides more options for travelers.
Unlike traditional Admirals Club locations, this space is purpose-built for efficiency. Think of it as a hybrid between a lounge and a high-end airport café. The layout is minimal, with high-top tables and limited seating, encouraging short visits rather than extended layovers. But don’t mistake minimalism for lack of service — travelers will still find on-site agents for personalized support and a curated selection of fresh food, including sandwiches, salads, snacks, and fruit. Vegetarian options are also part of the mix as more people ditch meat. It appears that it will not have a bar, but likely soda and water.
Honestly, this concept feels like a direct response to United’s Club Fly at Denver (DEN), which also caters to time-strapped travelers with a grab-and-go model. However, American’s Provisions lounge appears to lean more into the “mini-lounge” experience, offering not just food and drink, but also live customer service — something I believe United’s Club Fly lacks. Where United focuses on speed and automation, American is threading the needle between convenience and hospitality.
Access policies remain the same as traditional Admirals Clubs: members, eligible AAdvantage elites, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive cardholders, and those with a One Day Pass (available for $79 or 7,900 miles) can all enter.
This launch is part of a broader lounge refresh strategy from American, which includes a new Flagship Lounge experience in Philadelphia and an upcoming Flagship Lounge refresh in Miami. With CLT being American’s second-largest hub — operating over 670 daily departures — this new concept is a smart move to better serve the volume of connecting passengers who may not have time for a full lounge visit but still want a premium touchpoint.
Bottom line
Provisions by Admirals Club is a welcome evolution for travelers who value speed and service. It’s a more human-centric take on the grab-and-go model, and a sign that American is paying attention to how people actually move through airports today. American claims they want to be more premium. This one step in the right direction coming later this year.
