Reagan National Airport
The little things still bring me joy. Oddly, I’m just as jazzed to earn 100 extra airline miles as I am 100k. And so it is with travel experiences, including the journey to the destination. I simply delighted on a recent pass through Reagan National Airport (DCA). Today, I’m pausing to appreciate the experience while hopefully not overstating it.
An Admirals Club Return
I had about a two hour transit at DCA which I decided to spend in the Terminal E Admirals Club. This is American’s newest version at DCA, the one I’ve previously visited and others should opt for if time allows.
Despite American’s claims of improving what’s on offer at Admirals Clubs, certain annoyances remain. Only paper cups were available for coffee. Signage proclaimed a few hot items, including pancakes and bacon. But there was none of the former, and it’s more appropriate to call the remnants of the latter bacon bits. A worker constantly, inexplicably tinkered with a water dispenser. On the other side of the lounge, the vending machine conveniently offering $4.25 Gatorade remains.
I opted for yogurt, fruit, an oddly-sweet white bagel, and a cappuccino while sitting in one of the dining area booths. A man sat in the booth behind me, with his back to mine. Each time he got up or sat down, my side of the bench moved up and down. In the moment, I had discovered a new lounge amenity – the Admirals Club Seesaw.
But None of This Matters…
…because I subsequently, surprisingly discovered my favorite spot at Reagan National Airport. I’d become acquainted with all the various seating areas over my last few visits, but I failed to appreciate one – perhaps because it was occupied before.
I the entered the main lounge area opposite the dining room and bar. The designers did a great job on this end – the layout and furniture makes the space feel like a big, comfy living room. But what made this visit special?
The Chair
I plopped down in an easy chair facing the long fireplace and the expansive windows and views beyond. I committed to the fall more than I expected; I felt like I was at a 45-degree angle once I hit the back of the chair. This chair is far from functional for Joe Business Traveler. One cannot do much of anything in it, but perhaps that’s the point. I opted to embrace the experience, simply leaning back and staring. The chair is physically hard to get out of, but it’s the type I didn’t want to leave, anyway.
I’m also enamored with this chair due to its scarcity. From what I could tell, there are only two of these in the entire club, and I relished having one during this visit.
The View
Embracing my inner caveman, I gazed into the fireplace. Unlike others have experienced, I was lucky enough to visit when it was actually lit. Beyond the fireplace, I saw the Washington Monument on the far right. The Capitol was also visible, but visitors will get a better view in the chairs closer to the windows. Here and there, I saw occasional lounge visitors, a periodic reminder of where I was. I try to appreciate everything in moderation, including people.
Reagan National Airport – Conclusion
With this chair and view at the Concourse E Admirals Club, I had found my favorite spot at Reagan National Airport. A simple pleasure made those annoyances melt away. I shouldn’t have been irritated by those other things, anyway. This experience reminded me to be open to more while traveling, whether new opportunities or comically simple items like a chair facing a window in an airport lounge. What’s your favorite travel spot – in Reagan National Airport or otherwise?
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Love the AA lounge at DCA. Definitely ranks as one of the top airline lounges in the US i.e. excluding AX (whose new lounge in ATL is amazing and easily the best in the entire airport), C1, Chase etc.. Decor in the AA lounge @ DCA is gorgeous, views are amazing, food is actually good. Other than AA flagship lounges, I can’t think of a better airline lounge in the US. Delta and United’s lounges just don’t compare.
khatl,
I’m intrigued to visit the DEN Admirals Club, even newer than this one. I like the way AA is going with their club design and hope the F&B choices catch up. Thanks for reading!
The new AA club at DCA is really pretty. My wife and I were leaving from nearby last month and visited it for the first time. The food offerings were so-so but the aesthetics were great. Out of curiosity why do you keep saying Reagan National? DCA is easier and it’s been National for decades. Do you call ATL Hartsfield Jackson?
I wish I could like this comment a thousand times. It seems strange that people don’t just call it DCA or National. Never hear anyone refer to BWI as Thurgokd Marshall Baltimore airport. Be consistent folks!