Admirals Club at IAH- First Look

Bye, LAX, see you in 24 hours!

As you probably don’t know, CrusingAltitude has been spending their Mondays for the past month hauling back and forth to Houston’s IAH airport for one night stays, and a day of work.  It’s a new city, new airport, and new lounges to be explored.  Plus, a whole lot of time on American Eagle's E175s with their nonstop service from LAX. 

Leaving the "Eagle's Nest" at LAX

Case in point- there’s a new Admirals’ Club in terminal A at IAH!!  This was sorely needed, as American has an increasing presence at this airport, and it’s all alone over in terminal A which is just about as far as you can be from the Centurion lounge in terminal D.  If you’re not an Amex member, then you were even more stuck when flying American as there really was no lounge option. 

The New Admiral’s club is right in the middle of AA’s gates, next to gate 25 and by the connector hallway from the terminal link train.  You can’t miss it.

Club entrance- Terminal A

 The lounge is BRAND new, having just opened since the last time I was here two weeks ago.  It would have been even nicer had it been open then, seeing as how I had a 2+ hour delay due to weather, wherein I paid a cool $30 for a burger and a watered down margarita (or two) at the Hubcap Burgers location across from gate 26A…but whatever….it’s there now.

Seating areas

More seating, showing the new AC decor

My brief stop revealed a compact, but well thought out new Club.  They don’t have ample space, but they’ve made the best of it and put in a decent amount of seating divided into two distinct areas- the bar and the lounge.  

Bar area

 

Food service/Coffee bar

I was really impressed with the new décor and the well placed food bar in the divider behind the check-in desks, making the most of their space.  The staff was very friendly, though it was clear they were in the training stages.  All in all, I give it a thumbs-up as a satellite/small location lounge, and I applaud AA for taking notice of the need for an AC at IAH.  For those without access to the Amex lounge, or with delays that puts anyone in terminal A for extended periods, this place will be a welcome addition to the network!

Fly safely, lounge well,

~CruisingAltitude

'Bloody Good Choice.....' PreFlight Post

I really should be editing a 'totally serious and insightful' trip report, but I'm not.  I'm having a Bloody Mary in the LAX club before my LAX-DFW-EWR trip to a good friend's wedding.  Had initially considered trying to hop an earlier flight to DFW to check out the NEW Centurion Club that my Plat. Amex gets me into (very very excited about this...very), but earlier today my upgrade cleared for my 767 flight to Dallas, and I'm not about to sacrifice a lie-flat seat on a domestic flight.  The Centurion will have to wait for another (hopefully soon) date.  

Wait, what was this post supposed to be about?  Sorry....distracted by a shiny new club for a second there...

Right, Bloody Marys!  In short- one of my favorite pre- and post- departure beverages.  Couple reasons- socially acceptable many hours of the day (although anything generally goes in airports), low on the sweetness factor, heigh on flavor, and some article awhile ago that I half remember seemed to say they were healthy....ish.  

However, besides there seems to be some science behind the case that bloody marys are delicious in flight.  It turns out that the same altitude symptoms that shut off about 30% of your taste buds at 35,000ft, also take some of the acidity out of the flavor, making them taste even better at cruising altitude. That, combined with the already bold flavors, make it a good choice.

That said, here's a quick rundown of where (and where not) to order one: (Can't write a travel blog entry without giving unsolicited advice)

1- Alaska Airlines Board Room, Seattle.

For some reason, this place consistently makes the best airport Bloody Mary I've had.  No clue why....maybe it's the rain....

2- Admiral's Club, SFO.

Great bar staff (great staff in general), plenty of kick.  Plus, if you're in the mood for something else, ask for a skinny marguerita (can't get these in LAX).

3- Admiral's Club, LAX (or DFW, or BOS).

Standard fare, no complaints, plus it's free.  Varies day to day.

4- On the plane!

As said above, altitude helps.  I've had them mixed and doctored up by the FAs on occasion, but on shorter flights you're looking at a bottle to Titio's and a can of Mr&Mrs T's.

5- Alaska Airlines Board Room, LAX.

Not sure what's up with theirs, but I wouldn't do it again.  Too sweet...but strong enough I didn't need a second...for sure.

Time to finish up & head out.  Until the next 'round,' fly safe!

Cheers!

~CruisingAAltitude