Location and Access:
Nestled on the second level of Terminal A-West near Gate A14, the American Express Centurion Lounge currently is the only non-airline lounge in PHL. Based on its location, this lounge caters international departures but is available to anyone flying from PHL. All of the terminals in PHL are connected airside, so even if you are flying from Terminal E you can still utilize this lounge without having to go through security a second time (although it is a solid 15-20 minute walk from the lounge to Terminal E). Access is limited to eligible American Express cardholders (Platinum, Business Platinum, Centurion) and Delta Reserve cardholders flying Delta the same day. Keep in mind the 3-hour limit before your departure and the restriction for arriving passengers unless connecting.
Ambiance and Design:
The lounge offers a modern design with floor-to-ceiling windows offering natural light; however, the views are less than spectacular. The windows overlook the walkway below and train tracks on the other side. There are no tarmac views from the lounge. the lounge has a very narrow feel to me and does not have the open, airy feeling of some of the newer, larger Centurion lounges. Comfortable seating options range from armchairs to booths, to cool wooden table that seat large groups. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, with subtle music and dimmed lighting creating a welcome respite from the airport bustle below. The bar area seats about 15 people and is often full. If you are traveling alone and can secure a seat at the bar, I would definitely recommend that option.
Food and Beverage:
The lounge offers a gourmet buffet featuring local ingredients. The menu is often Mediterranean/Eastern European themed, which frankly does not suit my tastes very well, but the food is good, and free, so I always am able to find something (its better than eating “airport” food). Note to parents with children: the menu may not suit your people’s tastes (except the chocolate chip cookies, which are to die for). The menu changes daily but typically include a chicken dish, vegetables, soup, and salad/cheese options. Top-shelf liquors, wines, and various craft beers are also available, along with soft drinks and specialty coffees. Expect attentive service from the friendly staff. The bar has only one small walk-up area to get drinks so there is often a line of 3-4 people waiting to get a drink from the bar staff.
Amenities and Services:
Beyond the dining, like most AMEX lounges the lounge at PHL offers various amenities to enhance your waiting experience. As always, AMEX provides high-speed Wi-Fi to stay connected, comfortable workstations which are ideal for catching up on work. Relaxation options include limited showers, wonderful clean bathrooms, comfortable armchairs, and even dedicated quiet rooms where you can have a business meeting or hop oin a call. Newspapers, magazines, and limited luggage storage are available.
Potential Drawbacks:
Recently, the lounge is often over- crowded and on my last three visits there has always been a wait to enter. The late afternoon early evening hours seem to be the worst times, due, in large part, to departing international flights around those time slots. I recently waited 50 minutes to get access to the lounge when I arrived at the airport at 5 PM. I have also experienced limited seating availability once inside.
Overall/Rating:
The Centurion Lounge at Philadelphia Airport offers a pleasant and relaxing pre-flight experience for eligible travelers. From its modern design and comfortable seating to the diverse food and beverage options, the lounge provides a welcome escape from the airport hustle, but I would say that it is NOT one of the nicer AMEX Centurion Lounges in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, I still make it a point to enter the lounge when flying from PHL, but I would not say it’s a must visit. One my lounge review scale I give it a 6.5 out of 10.