American Express has unveiled what it calls the biggest expansion of its Centurion Lounge network to date. The bank is updating lounges at four airports and introducing two new lounges, at Newark Liberty International Airport and London Heathrow.[1] The new and upgraded spaces are due in 2027 and 2028.[2]
The announcement came on October 8, 2026. Some of the work is still a couple of years away, and one lounge is closing sooner than cardholders might like. Here’s a look at what’s planned, what has changed from earlier announcements, and why Amex is spending this much on airport space.
Newark Becomes Home to the Largest Centurion Lounge Yet
Newark is the headline. Amex said it is expanding the new lounge from the 18,000 square feet originally announced to more than 30,000 square feet, making it the largest in the network.[2] The two-story lounge is scheduled to open in Terminal A in 2027.[3]
The bigger plan comes with a delay. AmEx now expects the lounge to open in 2027 instead of 2026.[4] The company hasn’t confirmed an exact opening date.[5] Newark travelers will have to wait a little longer, though the lounge is now close to double the size first promised.
A New York Trifecta for American Express
Newark also completes a set for Amex. Once it opens, American Express says it will be the first credit card issuer to operate proprietary lounges at all three major New York City area airports.[3] The company already runs Centurion Lounges at JFK and LaGuardia.[3]
That matters for travelers who pick airports based on price or schedule. A cardholder flying out of any of the three will now find a familiar lounge. It’s a strategic position in one of the busiest travel markets in the country.
What Guests Can Expect Inside the Newark Lounge
Amex has described a food and drink program built around several venues. There will be three separate bars: a Main Bar with craft cocktails and wine, a Specialty Bar with a modern dining culture, and a Terrace Bar serving gelato, Italian cocktails and pastries.[1] A Blue Roast by American Express Coffee and Wellness Bar will offer barista-made espresso drinks plus health-forward items like smoothies and avocado toast.[6]
The lounge will also carry the brand’s chef-driven food. It will include signature offerings from the Culinary Collective by The Centurion Lounge, with many items locally sourced and a design that salutes New Jersey’s history of invention and discovery.[1] Amex’s culinary program has leaned on well-known chefs, so the menu will likely be a major selling point.
What Cardholders Should Take From This
Timing is the main thing to keep in mind. Philadelphia closes on October 16, 2026, Houston faces intermittent disruption starting in December, and the big new spaces in Newark, Philadelphia, Houston and Heathrow arrive across 2027 and 2028. Nothing here changes the situation at your next airport visit, and for some travelers it temporarily makes things worse.
Access rules for the new lounges haven’t been the focus of the announcement, so it’s wise to check Amex’s current policies before you travel. Opening dates may also shift, as Newark’s already has. Treat the 2027 and 2028 windows as targets rather than guarantees.
Conclusion
Amex’s latest plan is a large, expensive bet that travelers will pay for more room and better food in the airport. The 30,000-square-foot Newark lounge, the larger Philadelphia and Houston spaces, and a second Heathrow location address real crowding, though most of the benefit is still a year or more away.
For now, the short-term closures are the price of a bigger network. If the new lounges open as planned, the longest waits at the door may finally get shorter.
