UPDATE 9-1-2026: A rep for Thomas Keller Restaurant Group reached out to CultureMap three days after this article published to say American Airlines' original press release incorrectly stated the nature of Thomas Keller's involvement in the wine and chocolate pairing. "We’d like to clarify that the KHK Wines and K+M Extravirgin Chocolate pairing was not curated by Chef Thomas Keller. Chef Keller is the co-founder of K+M Extravirgin Chocolate, and the offering features KHK Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon paired with a selection of K+M chocolates and hazelnut dragées," she said. Attempts to reach the American Airlines media relations department to verify the requested correction to their initial press release have been unsuccessful.
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Fort Worth-based American Airlines is giving more premium travelers at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport access to one of its biggest perks: the sit-down dining experience in the Flagship lounge. And the Flagship menu itself is getting a glow-up with help from a famous Napa Valley chef.
Beginning September 15, those flying Flagship Business Plus and Flagship Business on qualifying long-haul international, transcontinental, and Hawaii routes will be able to enjoy restaurant-style dining inside American's Flagship Lounge at DFW, according to a release.
Flagship Lounge dining has previously been limited to passengers traveling in Flagship First. (Those flying Economy are out of luck, so sorry - but hey, new Portillo's!)
The expanded Flagship Dining experience is also available at American's Airport Miami International Airport lounge, with plans to reopen the private dining experience at Los Angeles International Airport in late 2026, the release says.
Menu changes
The expansion comes with a revamped four-course menu developed by American's culinary team. The seasonal menu will feature regional flavors and ingredients, including dishes inspired by the airline's various hubs, they say. Menu highlights include:
- Texas pear and burrata salad
- Roasted purple cauliflower steak
- Flagship burger
- Churro bread pudding
- Mesquite-grilledbeef filet
- California artisan board
Texas pear and burrata salad.Photo courtesy of AA
Cheffy wine and chocolate
But perhaps the most notable addition is a wine-and-chocolate pairing created with chef Thomas Keller.
Keller, the chef behind California's three-Michelin-starred The French Laundry and co-founder of K+M Extravirgin Chocolate, is also a founding partner in KHK Wines. He curated a pairing for AA featuring KHK Hillside Cabernet Sauvignon with K+M chocolates and hazelnut dragées, which are also served at The French Laundry in Yountville, California.
The KHK Cabernet was made in collaboration with Napa Valley winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, whose résumé includes more than 60 Cabernet Sauvignons that have received 100-point scores, the release notes.
Keller says the wine partnership grew out of longtime friendships between KHK's Jim Keller, a fourth-generation Napa resident with no relation to the chef, and the Hall family of Hall's Chophouse.
"KHK is a vineyard partnership and a tribute to the longtime friendships among Jim Keller, a fourth-generation Napan with no relation to me, and the Hall family, of Hall's Chophouse. My role is to lend a chef's palate and guidance. We all share deep roots in wine, food and memorable experiences, and our vision for the perfect everyday Cabernet has come together," Keller says in the release.
The KHK Cabernet will also be available in all of American's Flagship lounges, as well as The Chelsea Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
"At American, we're continually looking for ways to elevate the customer experience and create moments that make travel more memorable," says American's SVP of Customer Experience and Design Rhonda Crawford in the release. "By expanding access to Flagship Dining and introducing new menu enhancements, including an exclusive wine and chocolate pairing from KHK Wines and K+M Extravirgin Chocolate curated by Chef Thomas Keller, we're delivering an even more elevated hospitality experience that begins well before customers step on board."
Flagship Dining is available on a space-available basis, they say. Passengers can check with the host team inside the Flagship Lounge when they arrive. If no table is available, they can be placed on an electronic waitlist.
