American Express is once again expanding its Centurion Lounge network, opening two new locations and expanding one existing location. The updates, scheduled from 2027 to 2029, include new openings at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport, as well as an expansion of the Centurion Lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
For American Express, the move continues the steady build-out of its Centurion Lounge portfolio, a core benefit associated with its premium credit cards, and reflects how the company is evolving the concept in response to changing usage patterns.
Each of the three lounges, as well as many other U.S. locations within the Centurion Lounge network, will feature seasonal menus created by James Beard Award-winning chefs from Centurion Lounge’s Culinary Collective. Similarly, bar director Harrison Ginsberg will create locally-inspired cocktails, and sommelier Helen Johannesen will oversee the wine program.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming space.
Second Sidecar Lounge comes to Charlotte
To complement the existing Centurion Lounge in Concourse D/E at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, American Express plans to open a second Sidecar in Concourse A in 2027. This expands on a concept first introduced at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas in March 2026.
The Sidecar Lounge is designed to be more compact than the traditional Centurion Lounge, with an emphasis on short stays (admission is only allowed within 90 minutes of flight departure) and more restaurant-style service, with small plates and drinks ordered via QR code.
“As we observed customer behavior in our lounges, we found that many customers were short on time and wanted to experience the lounge even if they were alone,” said Audrey Hendry, president of American Express Travel. “We decided to design the lounge in a smaller space to meet the needs of our guests who come for an elevated experience. They want to eat something, they want something to drink, and then they can go.”
The Charlotte location will follow a similar model, but will add a Blue Roast Coffee Bar (which the brand offers in its New York and Seattle lounges) and offer barista-made drinks along with the food and beverage program. The 4,600 square foot space will also include a private restroom, power outlets and Wi-Fi.
New lounge with outdoor terrace opens in Boston Logan
The new American Express Centurion Lounge is expected to open at Boston Logan International Airport by 2029 and will be the first at BOS.
The company has not released full design details, but confirmed that the space will span 20,000 square feet across two floors in Terminal C, making it one of the largest spaces in its network. There will also be an outdoor terrace (a first in Boston Logan) with views of the airfield.
The Boston location will also include standard Centurion Lounge amenities. They typically feature chef-driven cuisine, premium cocktails, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a combination of workspace and lounge seating. Artwork and design elements by local artists will reflect the city’s academic heritage, green space, and Charles River harbor views.
The addition of Boston Lounge fills a significant gap in the network and gives cardholders new options in key markets on the East Coast, where business and international travel is common.
Dallas-Fort Worth lounge expands
Also at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, American Express will expand its existing Centurion Lounge by 50 percent, with the updated space scheduled to reopen in 2027.
The current lounge is consistently one of the busiest in the network, with waiting lists often exceeding an hour during peak travel times. The expansion will significantly increase seating capacity and add a new dining area, a second full-service bar, and a walk-up ice cream window.
The expansion also includes a redesign of the entire lounge (second in the portfolio). This means there may be a period of reduced capacity while changes are made.
Other Centurion Lounges are already in the works
The newly announced US lounge is part of a broader global expansion.
This year, American Express will also open the 6,000 square foot Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, its first exclusive lounge in continental Europe. (There are already locations in London and Stockholm.) Schiphol’s plans call for a Dutch-inspired design, a locally-led food and beverage program, and a dedicated coffee bar.
Also in 2026, the long-awaited first Centurion Lounge will debut at Newark Liberty International Airport, featuring a 14,000-square-foot indoor terrace, skyline views, a cocktail bar and a piano lounge inspired by New Jersey’s jazz history. The opening of the new lounge will further expand Centurion Lounge’s presence across three major airports in the New York area.
Who can access the Centurion Lounge?
Access to the Centurion Lounge is limited to holders of certain premium American Express cards, including the Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card, and Centurion Card, and is subject to availability. Additionally, Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business cardholders have access when traveling on Delta Air Lines.
The company recently announced restrictions on lounge access to reduce overcrowding. Starting July 8, Centurion Lounge access will be limited to five hours prior to departure, and guests entering the Centurion Lounge must be on the same departing flight as the eligible cardholder.