USA/UK. American Express is to open two new Centurion Lounges at Newark Liberty International Airport and London Heathrow Airport as part of its largest lounge network expansion to date.
The company has also announced major upgrades to existing hospitality facilities at Philadelphia International and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental airports.
The new Newark lounge, scheduled to open in 2027, will become the largest in the Centurion Lounge network at more than 30,000sq ft, while a second Heathrow location will open in Terminal 5 in 2028.
The developments will make American Express the first credit card issuer to operate proprietary lounges across all three major New York-area airports and the first to have two proprietary lounges at Heathrow.
The company said the four-airport programme underlines its investment in premium airport hospitality amid growing demand for exclusive lounge facilities.
Newark to house largest Centurion Lounge
Located across two floors in Newark Liberty International Airport Terminal A, the lounge will be significantly larger than the 18,000sq ft facility originally announced.
The food & beverage offer will include a Blue Roast by American Express Coffee and Wellness Bar, serving locally roasted coffee, smoothies and light meals.
Three bars will provide distinct experiences, including a main cocktail and wine bar, a venue inspired by New Jersey’s diner culture and a Pine Barrens-themed terrace bar offering Italian pastries, gelato and cocktails.
The culinary programme will feature dishes from American Express’ Culinary Collective, developed by James Beard Award-winning Resy chefs Kwame Onwuachi, Mike Solomonov, Mashama Bailey and Sarah Grueneberg.
The interior design will draw on New Jersey’s cultural and industrial heritage, including a sculptural installation referencing the state’s history of invention.
Second Heathrow lounge planned for Terminal 5
American Express will strengthen its presence at London Heathrow with a new Centurion Lounge of more than 9,000sq ft in Terminal 5, complementing its existing facility in Terminal 3.
Scheduled to open in 2028, the lounge will feature premium food & beverage services, dedicated workspaces, comfortable seating and a VIP area.
American Express said the design will take inspiration from London’s multicultural heritage and the River Thames, incorporating layered materials and architectural forms reflecting the city’s character.
Philadelphia and Houston lounges set for major upgrades
Alongside the two new openings, American Express is substantially increasing capacity at its existing Centurion Lounges in Philadelphia and Houston.
At Philadelphia International Airport, the lounge will double in size from 6,000sq ft to more than 12,000sq ft across two floors.
The redesigned space will incorporate works by local artists and design elements celebrating the city’s history and craftsmanship.
The lounge will close temporarily for renovations from 16 October, with completion expected by the end of 2027.
At Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Centurion Lounge in Terminal D will nearly triple in size, increasing from approximately 8,000sq ft to more than 23,000sq ft by 2028.
The expanded facility will include a new Blue Roast coffee and wellness bar, a speciality dining area offering rotating dishes inspired by Houston’s culinary diversity and Gulf Coast flavours, and a second full-service bar.
The beverage programme will feature locally inspired cocktails and wines selected by Culinary Collective sommelier Helen Johannesen.
Additional improvements include upgraded restrooms, premium shower suites and expanded seating.
The design will reference Houston’s cultural heritage, coastal influences and connection to space exploration. ✈
 The Moodie Davitt Report also publishes Airport Hospitality World, the latest edition to our wide-ranging, market-leading travel retail and airport non-aeronautical revenues publishing and event portfolio. Airport Hospitality World covers all forms of airport lounges across international and domestic terminals, including various definitions as follows:
Plus other hospitality-related platforms:
Excitingly, the long-established Airport Food & Beverage (FAB) + Hospitality Conference & Awards will embrace Airport Hospitality World from the 2026 edition – the event’s 15th anniversary. |
