American Express Travel on the Next Chapter for Premium Airport Hospitality

The Decision Brief SKIFT AVIATION FORUM Rasha Masri, Vice President, Lounge Partnerships & Business Development, American Express Travel Moderated by Carolyn Kremins, President, Skift Sponsored by American Express Travel THE TAKEAWAY Airport lounge operators face a growing challenge in expanding access while preserving the premium experience that attracts customers. Addressing the tension between demand and exclusivity, Masri described a strategy that combines larger lounges, smaller hospitality concepts, and digital access tools to accommodate the needs of different travelers. PATHS FORWARD Develop lounge formats for different travel needs. Masri described American Express’s Sidecar concept, which serves travelers seeking shorter visits in smaller spaces alongside its traditional Centurion Lounges. Expand capacity while improving access management. Masri said American Express is adding lounge space and using digital waitlists and a lounge-finder tool to help card members plan their visits. Include hospitality operators earlier in the airport planning process. Masri emphasized that location, elevators, natural light, and other design decisions shape the passenger experience, making earlier collaboration with airports valuable. WHAT TO WATCH Whether smaller formats help relieve pressure on traditional lounges. American Express’s Sidecar expansion will test how effectively shorter-visit concepts meet different traveler needs while complementing larger facilities. Whether greater lounge access preserves the premium experience. As operators expand capacity and introduce new formats, the industry will need to assess whether increased availability can coexist with the service quality, comfort, and exclusivity that make premium lounges valuable. Access all the Skift Takeaways from this event, as well as full session videos, presentation documents, and more editorial coverage at our Skift Aviation Forum attendees hub.