American Airlines Flagship First Dining JFK Terminal 8 – New York City

America Airlines Flagship First Dining is an exclusive culinary experience and the best meal I’ve had at an airport.

In order to access the dining room, passengers must be travelling on qualifying international American Airlines flights between the US and:

• Asia
• Australia
• Europe or South America.

Domestic passengers on 3-class non-stop  flights from JFK to LAX or JFK to SFO are also able to enter. Full disclosure: I was not flying on first class but graciously granted access by the America Airlines team.

Food

An all day dining menu allows guests to choose from 5 starters and 6 entrees (mains for non-US folk). Dishes range from the hearty Signature Flagship Burger to the lighter Warm Spinach Salad. As I had a big lunch earlier, I opted for the Lobster Bisque as my starter and the Seared Sea Scallops for my main.

The Lobster Bisque was wonderfully rich with generous pieces of fresh lobster and dollops of saffron cream.

My seared scallops were cooked perfectly with a crisp crust on the outside and tender on the inside.

I was pleasantly surprised to be given a desserts menu. As I was quite full from the meal, I decided to forgo the Signature Flagship Sundae and opted for the Coffee Bean Creme Brulee instead. A nice selection of after meal drinks were also listed on the menu including coffee, tea and alcohol.

Drinks

The Flagship First Dining wine list isn’t your average selection of reds and whites, it’s been carefully curated by master sommeliers Bobby Stuckey and Desmond Echavarrie. For those that prefer a cocktail, renowned mixologist Pamela Wiznitzer has you covered with 5 signature cocktails.

Non-alcoholic drinks includes coffee from La Colombe Coffee Roasters, artisanal tea from TEALEAVES, juices and soft drinks.

Service

Every staff member I encountered was very professional with my empty plates promptly cleared and water consistently refilled.

Atmosphere

Floor to ceiling windows line the dining room, giving guests unobstructed views of the tarmac – perfect for plane watching! Because of the exclusive clientele, the dining room is a tranquil and comfortable oasis far away from the hustle and bustle of the airport.

Verdict

With it’s delicious food, excellent service and unique atmosphere, American Airlines Flagship First Dining sets the bar incredibly high for other airlines.

This review was based on a complimentary meal. 

American Airlines Flagship First Dining
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Terminal 8