American Airlines Selects James Beard Award Semifinalist Chef Randy Rucker For New Flagship Lounge in Philadelphia

1 week ago 4

This summer, American Airlines passengers will get a gourmet sendoff when flying through the Philadelphia airport. The airline just announced that the Philadelphia-based Chef Randy Rucker will be creating the cuisine for the soon-to-open Flagship Lounge at PHL.

A James Beard Award semifinalist, Chef Rucker is best known for his Philadelphia restaurants River Twice and Little Water, both beloved for rotating menus that creatively showcase seasonal and local ingredients.

Chef Rucker will bring that same point of view to his menu at the forthcoming PHL Flagship Lounge. American says that his menu will feature a combination of classic Philadelphia flavors and contemporary coastal cuisine, with every dish designed to spotlight the region’s seasonal ingredients.

The details of the menu haven’t yet been released, but the airline says customers can expect a lineup of dishes that changes with the seasons and uniquely crafted cocktails. In fact, the Philadelphia lounge will have the first-ever full-service bar in the entire Flagship Lounge network, and it will also offer premium Champagne and top-shelf spirits.

The announcement of Chef Rucker joining the team comes on the heels of American announcing its latest menu refresh across its existing Flagship Lounges earlier this month, with new dishes like coconut chicken curry and lentil salad with smoked salmon, jammy eggs, and chicories, designed by award-winning chefs.

“Across all of our lounges, American is committed to serving customers regionally inspired chef-driven cuisine, with menu updates throughout the year to offer new choices each season,” Heather Garboden, American’s chief customer officer, said in a statement. “Now, with Chef Rucker at the helm, the Philadelphia Flagship® lounge is set to become one of the most exciting culinary additions to the airport scene.”

When it opens this summer, the new Flagship Lounge is sure to see a lot of activity, thanks to five new routes American is launching from Philadelphia. Two of the most notable new flights include inaugural nonstops to Milan and Edinburgh, both starting May 23.

Only an exclusive segment of travelers will be able to access the lounge, including passengers flying in Flagship First or Flagship Business; AAdvantage ConciergeKey members; customers with AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Pro, or AAdvantage Platinum status who are flying on qualifying international routes; and Oneworld Emerald and Oneworld Sapphire members flying internationally.

The Philadelphia lounge will be American’s fifth Flagship Lounge location, with four outposts already up and running at Chicago O’Hare, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Miami airports.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.