American Airlines (AA) has made lengthy delays at some airports a lot more bearable for those of its passengers willing to pay for the premium service being offered through its Admirals Clubs located at major hubs across the United States.

For a membership fee of up to US$500 or a one-day pass for US$50, travellers have access to a shower, computers and internet service, private business carrels to conduct business or a conference room to host a meeting. There is even a private suite, said to be often utilised by dignitaries.

Children can spend the time in the kiddies’ play lounge, equipped for the purpose, while everyone can enjoy unlimited complimentary snacks, fruits and coffee while they await the next flight.

Last year the airline saw some 16 million passengers utilising this premium service, which is in its 75th year of operation.

Last week, journalists from Jamaica and Trinidad were invited by American Airlines to experience the sights and sounds of Miami and to tour the club’s facilities.

Paul Mckellop, premium services manager at the 30,000-square foot Admirals Club located at the Miami International Airport (MIA), told Sunday Finance that some 45 per cent of the airline’s passengers opt to use this service. The club is available to all first and business-class international passengers, as well as Admirals Club members.

The facility at the MIA can accommodate some 457 passengers comfortably.

“We offer all services which are offered at check-in and so you can buy your tickets here, change seat assignments, among other things,” he explained.

According to Mckellop, the busiest days are mainly Sundays, when the facility is at its fullest. A much smaller facility is also located at MIA to accommodate the overflow.

The airline does not miss out on any opportunity for revenue-making as users of this facility can leisurely browse through various pieces of fine arts on display for sale. The airline receives a commission on each sale for the paintings, which are done by local artists.

Kingston and the Dominican Republic are the only two countries with anything close to the Admirals club, offering a VIP lounge service.

Meanwhile, the airline, which accounts for 65 per cent of the flights operating out of MIA, said its growth in this hub makes that airport the number one international gateway for the important and growing United States trade with Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to the airline, since building a major connecting hub in Miami in 1989, AA’s daily operations there have grown to be larger than Pan Am’s and Eastern’s combined.

Martha Pantin, director of corporate communications for Miami Caribbean and Latin America, said the airline has increased daily jet departures from 19 flights in 1989 to 222 today, with its regional partner American Eagle serving 25 destinations with 54 daily flights.

She explained further that AA now serves 108 cities, 27 of them in Latin America, two in Mexico, 23 in the Caribbean, two in Canada and three in Europe.

According to Pantin, AA transported over 21 million passengers in 2008 through its Miami hub, an increase of three per cent over 2007.

She said as the airline increased its flight operations at Miami, it has also taken steps to significantly expand its facilities to include more cargo space.

“At present, American is responsible for eight per cent of all cargo at MIA, and Miami is the largest cargo operation in American’s entire system,” she said.

When the current US$2.8-billion expansion on Concourse D — the gateway out of which American airlines operates — is completed, Pantin said there will be 48 ticket counter positions, 90 self-service check-in devices, 29 staffed self-service baggage check-in positions, 30 kerbside check-in positions, a new baggage-handling system and a new international customs facility.

“American Airline’s Miami hub positions Miami-Dade as a world-class international gateway and the nation’s principal gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean,” she said.

She added, further, that AA contributes $6.5 billion annually to South Florida’s economy.