Main Terminal, Austin Bergstrom Airport, Texas,

Introduction

This is my review of the American Airlines Admirals Club in Austin’s Bergstrom Airport.

Austin is an interesting location for American, as it’s being considered as a focus city and being around a 2hr drive from Fort Worth – some flight crew are required to commute from Dallas/Fort Worth to Austin for Pilot and Cabin Crew duties.

With Austin being a focus city for American, I had hoped there may have been some investment on the lounge front – but sadly not!

This, for me, was a positioning flight back to Heathrow on British Airways, and this was the only lounge available to me – so having arrived at the airport with plenty of time to catch my flight – I felt quite let down.

Opening Hours

The lounge is open daily from 04:45 to 21:15.

How to Get There

The lounge is located on a Mezzanine level opposite Gate 22.

Directly opposite Gate 22 you’ll see an elevator – or if you prefer there is a big set of stairs.

In front of you will be the entrance (there is a United Club on the left).

Entry Conditions

In my case, flying Business Class with British Airways got me access to the lounge.

Alternatively, I would have gained access via OneWorld membership – which allows Sapphire and Emerald Members into OneWorld lounge. However, given the size of this lounge and an A350 of passengers (plus any AA flights) – it wouldn’t surprise me if at times you are turned away due to lack of space.

Various Credit Cards in the US also offer Admirals Club access I believe.

I believe it’s also possible to pay somewhere between $50 to $75 cash to access. If you have $50 to $75 and you’re considering it, I would genuinely spend it in one of the food establishments downstairs – it’s not worth paying for.

Layout

There can be no doubt that there has been zero investment in this lounge for about 25 years! Decor, furniture, lounge etc are all old-school American through and through!!

There is also a severe lack of space, dark corners, and barely room to pass eachother. It ain’t good at all!

The lounge mainly has casual/sofa seating.

For working, there are a couple of tiny booths if you are going attempt to make a phone call, and also a hot-desk with 4 chairs.

If you want to attempt to get some rest/privacy, then there are two very small and slightly strange dark rooms.

There is also a bar area, where you can attempt to sit down and eat.

And that’s it!

Food & Drinks

Drinks

As usual, drinks are the very basics – or you can buy premium food/drink from the menu.

With exception to some ice water, all drinks are served via the bar – but (being America) people love sitting in the bar – which made the area even more crowded.

Seemingly the items on the menu that are highlighted were free if traveling on the international flight back to London.

Food

As is usually the case with Admirals Clubs some food is available, but the rest charged for off the menu, There was a BBQ sandwich which was free if traveling on the BA flight, apparently.

Other than that, food was self-service very basics of even the basics – fruit, cheese, soups, brownies and that is is! Far less than any usual Admirals Club, and definitely no Nacho Cart here!

Wifi

The Wifi worked at a snail’s pace. It was about 5mps if that, and in the end I got annoyed. What made matters worse is that Austin’s airport Wifi isn’t free either!!

Showers

Showers?! There were barely any bathrooms!

Conclusion

This is a poor lounge, and sadly one of the worst Admirals Clubs I’ve visited in very long time. I am glad to say that this is definitely the exception rather than the norm of the Admirals Clubs I’ve visited…..but still!

From a domestic point of view, I think it’s passable as being a badly invested outstation.

However for BA to allow this to be their departure lounge for a 10hr international flight is something I think drastically needs rethinking! Especially as many people like to ‘eat properly’ pre-flight, and (myself included) like to take a shower before boarding and over-nighter.