American Airlines is raising the bar for premium travel dining with a suite of winter menu updates and brand-new culinary stations across its lounges nationwide. Starting January 2026, travelers can indulge in seasonal, chef-crafted dishes and interactive food experiences designed to elevate the pre-flight routine.
Seasonal Menus Spotlight Global Flavors
From Los Angeles to New York, Flagship® and premium lounges are debuting menus that highlight winter’s bounty, warm spices, and inventive flavor combinations.
In Los Angeles, travellers can enjoy apricot and ginger pork loin or cinnamon matcha pancakes with mandarin syrup, while Chicago’s lounge menu includes curried artichoke orange salad and coconut lemongrass salmon. Dallas Fort Worth is offering beef bulgogi with sticky rice and Mediterranean couscous salad, among other seasonal options.
Other lounges, including Philadelphia, Miami, and New York, are introducing custom pho bars, Peruvian chaufa bowls, pulled short rib sliders, avocado tartines, and signature burgers crafted by Pat LaFrieda.
Interactive Culinary Stations in Admirals Club® Lounges
In addition to seasonal dishes, American Airlines is expanding its experiential dining program in select Admirals Club® lounges. Starting in January, bagel bars and waffle bars will allow members to personalise their meals with a variety of toppings and spreads.
Bagel bars will be available in locations including Los Angeles, Dallas, and San Francisco, while waffle bars will be offered in Boston, Miami, New York, and other major airports. Gluten-free options will also be available.
Looking Ahead: Spring Menus
American Airlines said these updates reflect its ongoing commitment to delivering distinctive flavours and thoughtful hospitality, both on the ground and in the air. The winter menus are a precursor to a spring rollout, with Flagship® lounges updating their offerings in February 2026 and Admirals Club® lounges following in March.
The airline hopes the refreshed menus and interactive stations will enhance the passenger experience, making lounges a destination in their own right rather than just a stop before boarding.
Which of the new American Airlines lounge dishes or interactive stations are you most excited to try on your next trip?
