American Airlines Opening New Admirals Club Lounge in Austin, Including First-Ever Terrace

Updated: June 6, 2026, 8:46am CDT

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A Bigger, Better Admirals Club Is Coming to AUS
Austin Is Becoming a Serious Airport for Lounge Lovers
Final Thoughts

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Austin keeps improving for premium travelers. American Airlines has announced plans for a new Admirals Club lounge at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), bringing a significantly upgraded preflight experience to one of the fastest-growing airports in the country.

If you’re a frequent flyer through Austin — or you’re holding one of the credit cards that gets you into Admirals Club lounges — this is news worth paying attention to.

A Bigger, Better Admirals Club Is Coming to AUS

The new lounge will span 11,575 square feet — roughly 50% larger than the current Admirals Club at AUS — including an outdoor terrace. That’s a worthwhile upgrade in a lounge that, like many Admirals Clubs, can feel crowded during peak hours.

The location is in the airport’s new West Gate Expansion area, which is part of a broader infrastructure build-out at AUS. The new gate area is projected to open in 2026, with the Admirals Club expected to welcome guests in 2027.

American Airlines Admirals Club Austin 2026 — Image Credit: American Airlines

Yes, that’s a longer wait than many would hope for. American first floated plans for a new Austin lounge back in 2021, but the result should be worth it. True to Austin’s character, expect the design to pull inspiration from local culture, art, and music.

Austin Is Becoming a Serious Airport for Lounge Lovers

American isn’t the only airline investing heavily in the Austin airport experience. As we recently reported, Delta and Southwest both have major lounge plans in the works at AUS, and the projects are substantial.

Delta is planning 2 separate lounge spaces totaling more than 40,000 square feet: a temporary Sky Club slated to open in 2026 and a permanent flagship Sky Club of around 35,000 square feet projected for 2031 to 32. There are even indications that a dedicated Delta One lounge could eventually follow, which would be a first outside of a major hub.

Meanwhile, Southwest has reserved approximately 40,000 square feet in the new lease agreement. While officially labeled as crew space, the sheer footprint has observers wondering whether Austin could eventually see Southwest’s first passenger-facing lounge on the east side of the country.

All of this is unfolding as Austin prepares to add 32 new gates, nearly doubling capacity, as part of an expansion project with a price tag exceeding $5 billion.

Hot Tip:

Check out our comparison of current lounges at Austin (AUS) to see how they stack up against future plans.

Final Thoughts

Austin is slowly turning into one of the most lounge-competitive airports in the U.S., and American Airlines’ new Admirals Club is a key piece of that puzzle.

The 2027 timeline requires some patience, but a 50% larger space with an outdoor terrace — in an airport that’s growing as fast as AUS is — is genuinely exciting news for Admirals Club members and eligible cardholders alike. This is worth watching.