Summary
- The new Centurian Lounge in Washington, DC, offers a peaceful oasis with premium amenities for cardholders to enjoy before flights.
- The lounge features curated art installations, a dining area inspired by the Potomac River, and runway views over the airfield and Potomac River.
- A highlight of the lounge is the quality dining experience with a curated menu by three award-winning chefs, offering a taste of Latin, Israeli, and Hawaiian cuisines.
Travelers from the US capital this summer now have a new opportunity to relax before a flight. American Express has unveiled its 29th Centurian Lounge at the smaller of Washington, DC’s main airports. The lounge offers a carefully curated menu and views over the Potomac River.
A peaceful oasis
The new lounge opened on Wednesday, July 18th, offering a haven for American Express Platinum and Centurian cardholders with the amenities one would expect. The space features working, relaxing, and dining areas, a conference room, a phone room, dedicated workstations, premium restrooms with showers, multiple seating areas, and access to complimentary high-speed WiFi.
The latest Centurion Lounge can be found in Terminal 2 of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), past the South Security Checkpoint. The area is designed to celebrate the rich history and architecture of the nation’s capital and features floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the airfield and the Potomac River. The opening hours are as follows:
- Sunday – Friday from 05:00 -21:00
- Saturdays from 05:00 – 19:00
Speaking on the lounge’s opening, Jack Potter, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and CEO, noted how the space will serve passengers:
“Congratulations to American Express for creating a lounge that reflects the Washington, D.C. region. We are confident that customers will enjoy this new amenity.”
In addition to runway views, there is an extensive collection of art commissioned from established and upcoming local artists. Selected installations include a mixed media piece by Claudia “Aziza” Gibson-Hunter highlighting the relationship between spirituality and flight; a printed canvas of the Capitol Building by native Washingtonian Maggie O’Neill, known for her iconic pop impressionist paintings of DC landmarks; a pair of mixed media tiles by Lori Katz; and an abstract work by Emon Surakitkoson.
Related
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: 5 Things You Might Not Know
The airport’s location was home to one of the oldest remaining structures in Arlington.
Even the lounge’s central dining area, which was inspired by the Potomac River, features a ceiling sculpture of 260 lanterns to commemorate the original boundary markers used to outline the city when it was founded in 1791. Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel, highlighted a few of the lounge’s special perks:
“The Centurion Lounge is one of our Card Members’ favorite travel benefits, and the new location at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport offers Card Members the premium amenities they love in an airport they frequently travel through.
“With a menu curated by three award-winning chefs, dedicated workstations, access to complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, quiet nooks for relaxation and more, there’s something for every type of traveler to enjoy.”
Photo: American Express
Up next, American Express confirmed this week that it is on track to open its next lounge at Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) in 2025, followed by a location at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey in 2026.
Dining in DC style
The lounge has a significant focus on providing a quality dining experience. According to American Express, this is the first time Centurion Lounges guests can enjoy a curated menu by three award-winning chefs. The menu features cardmember favorites from other Centurion Lounges, including Creamy Polenta, Shabazi Spiced Salmon with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce, and Tamari-Honey Glazed Tofu & Pineapple, to give global travelers a taste of Latin, Israeli, and Hawaiian cuisines.
Related
Washington DC Airports Mark New Record With Over 50 Million Passengers In 2023
Both airports have increased passenger counts by more than 16 million since the pandemic.
The three chefs chosen to curate the menu are Michelle Bernstein, Ravi Kapur, and Michael Solomonov. Bernstein, whose cooking can also be found at the Centurion Lounge at Miami International Airport, says her culinary memories and global travels inspire her dishes:
“Traveling has always had such a strong influence on my cooking and the mix of flavors that go into the dishes I serve guests at my restaurants throughout Miami and in the Centurion Lounge.
“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to bring some of my most popular dishes like Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Chimichurri Grilled Chicken to Washington D.C. with the opening of the new Centurion Lounge at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”
From the Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), the Sweet Potato Hash and Tamari-Honey Glazed Tofu arrive compliments of Chef Ravi Kapur. His cuisine is inspired by his diversity and upbringing in Hawaii, which has resulted in Chef Ravi’s Liholiho Yacht Club earning a James Beard nomination for Best New Restaurant and winning Restaurant of the Year by Eater San Francisco. Speaking about bringing his dishes to DC, Kapur noted:
“I’m very passionate about my cooking and creating dishes that reflect my Hawaiian, Chinese, and Indian roots and upbringing. Cooking has always been a way for me to celebrate and share my culture with the local community.”
Additional dishes arrive thanks to Chef Michael Solomonov, who also serves as the Executive Chef for the Centurion Lounge at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Regarding his Lamb Merguez Shakshuka and Shabazi Spiced Salmon, which appear on the menu of the DCA lounge, Solomonov shared how his heritage comes through in the dishes:
“A good meal transports you to a different place and time, and I’ve always used cooking as a way to share my love for Israeli culture and cuisine with the world.”
The dining experience at the lounge is complemented by a full bar where guests can enjoy specialty cocktails designed by Centurion Lounge Mixologist Jim Meehan, including the Haku Hanami, inspired by DC’s cherry blossoms and Ambrosia Spritz, featuring bitters and liqueurs from local producer Don Ciccio & Figli. The lounge even features a selection of wines from local vineyards in Virginia to give travelers a taste of the local area before they depart.