Review Admiral's Club at Ronald Reagan National airport in Washington, D.C.

On the way back from Washington Where I flew to try out ITA Airways' new Premium Economy. I flew from DCA, which is Washington's city airport, right on the banks of the Potomac River. This airport is a scant 15 minutes from the White House and is used for domestic connections by American, Delta, United, and JetBlue and some low-cost U.S. carriers such as Southwest.

Location

The structure of this airport is old, but really beautiful. The view of the river and the runway a short distance away are easily admired thanks to the immense wall of glass and steel. This lounge is located in Terminal 2, above Pier C.

One can take the elevators or go up a flight of stairs.

Access

American Airlines has two types of lounges. Flagship Lounges are more exclusive and can be found in major airports. Admiral's Clubs are spread throughout the country and beyond. This lounge is entered with a business class ticket or with the status, that of AA or one of the oneWorld airlines. In my case I took advantage of my British Airways gold card.

The hall

The room is tiny, perhaps one of the smallest I have found in the US. American has dozens of flights at this airport, it operates as many as 3 Admiral's clubs one for each pier where it operates its flights. In this way, passengers are distributed and you should not experience crowding.

If there is one thing that is not lacking in this lounge is natural light, if there is light outside there is no need for bulbs in the lounge, really beautiful.

The decor could be called "vintage," let's say the style lines of the other American lounges are light years away, but what matters in airports like these are: comfortable seats, power outlets, and something to munch on.

It is a square that for three sides has glass walls. Two out of three face the runway, with a crazy view of the terminal where you can admire the movements on the runway. The last side faces the terminal corridor.

There are also two small secret rooms. The first is right after the reception desk, the second is behind the bar. The first has no view, the second is definitely the quieter area of the lounge overlooking the terminal.

Food & Beverage

I arrived that breakfast was operational. On hand was just the bare minimum and not even quality. Little choice other than scrambled eggs (dry), bagels and yogurt.

The only bright spot is the possibility of having avocado toast prepared on the spot, benefit, however, reserved only for AA credit card holders.

Ever-present bar counter, never missing in the U.S., with free basic offerings and premium products for a fee. There was also a QR on each table pointing to a menu, eat and drink, that could be ordered for a fee.

In conclusion

Without infamy or praise, taking a plane in the U.S. is like taking a bus or regional train in Italy. We need more waiting rooms like that in Italian stations.

The verdict

Of course at the airport in the capital of the U.S. it would be logical to expect something better, but from this airport one flies to short-medium range destinations, like comparing Linate to Malpensa. The runway view is definitely the best thing it offers. The seats are deck chairs !!!

6

Rated Location

7

F&B

6

Services

6

Pro

• Bright
• The view of the runway

Against

• All basic