This news will be a dream come true for anyone who's ever stood in line at an American Express Centurion Lounge. Amex has announced a major spate of new and upgraded lounges, including new ones opening in Newark and London Heathrow, and huge expansions at Houston and Philadelphia.

American Express Travel is working to enhance the lounges cardmembers enjoy, and still extending its presence, according to president Audrey Hendley. Let's take a deeper dive into what's on the agenda, when to expect it and who will be able to enter the doors.

Newark Finally Gets Its Lounge

It's been a long time coming at Newark Liberty International (EWR). In 2021, the Centurion Lounge was originally announced, and Amex has now confirmed it'll be a brand new 30,000 sq.ft. space that'll arrive in Terminal A in 2027.

The local flavor is used in the design. There are three bars in the lounge and the star of the show will be the Terrace Bar, offering gelato, pastries and Italian-style cocktails, as a tribute to New Jersey's rich Italian roots. Coffee connoisseurs can also look forward to Amex's new Blue Roast coffee being present at the experience too.

This is clearly the biggest one on the list for the travellers who pass through the New York area frequently and this is the most awaited opening. Newark is a very hectic city and a large, well-designed lounge in this city would be of great value for long layovers and early morning flights.

London Heathrow is to get a new Second Lounge Building

Amex is also opening a second Centurion Lounge at Heathrow (LHR) in Europe after recently launching one in Amsterdam. The new space will be approximately 9,000 square feet and will be located in Terminal 5 which serves as the home base for most British Airways flights as well as all Iberia flights. The first Heathrow Centurion Lounge was launched in Terminal 3 in the year 2021.

The opening will be in 2028. Other than two fairly mediocre independent lounges, Terminal 5 is dominated by British Airways’ own lounges. On the other hand, the new Centurion Lounge is a breath of fresh air for the passengers who cannot access BA lounges, and will definitely make the airport experience more enjoyable.

Bigger is Better, Houston and Philadelphia

Two lounges that already exist are also getting a facelift. They are all different plans, so let's compare the approaches.

Houston (IAH). George Bush Intercontinental Airport's lounge will be nearly tripled, from 8,000 to 23,000 square feet. This will feature a Blue Roast coffee bar, new specialty dining and craft cocktails. Once completed by 2028, guests will also be able to take advantage of new restrooms and upscale shower suites. The upside is that Amex has not stated that it will be closing the lounge during the construction.

Philadelphia (PHL). The lounge will be more than doubled in size to over 12,000 square ft. and its own Blue Roast Coffee bar, two stories tall. Construction will start October 26, 2026 and the lounge will be closed during construction. The anticipated completion time is at the end of 2027. If you are flying through then plan accordingly because Philly will be closed.

The Big Picture at a Glance

The following details are in one place:

• In 2027, a new 30,000 sq ft lounge will be opening in Terminal A at Newark.
• London Heathrow (LHR): Opening in 2028, the lounge will be a new 9,000 sq ft facility in Terminal 5.
• Houston (IAH): Expansion from 8,000 to 23,000 sq ft, finished by 2028.
• The facility, which is scheduled to close on October 26, 2026, is set to be expanded to 12,000+ sq ft over two stories, with completion at the end of 2027.

Who Can Get In

There are different types of cards that allow access to Centurion Lounges. These are the cards that can be used:

• The Platinum Card from American Express.
• The Business Platinum Card from American Express.
• The Centurion Card from the American Express.
• One of the Reserve American Express Cards issued by Delta Airlines. One of the Delta Airlines Reserve American Express Cards.
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card.
• The problem with the Delta cards is that they are only valid for use for Delta on the same day.

Here's also a key point for Heathrow. By contrast, Delta's fans will not be able to make use of the new Terminal 5 Lounge, as it will be dedicated to Delta. If you have a Delta Reserve card and need to travel out of Heathrow, then be sure to stay at Terminal 3.

What is the Reason Why This is Important? 

Overcrowding has been one of the major issues with Centurion lounges. It is no secret that waitlists are a part of the game and being overcrowded is not a pleasant thing to experience. Houston and Philadelphia have larger spaces to help disperse the demand, and brand new spaces will be added in Newark and London as well.

However, the more space, the better the state of the problem is not necessarily resolved. There's been more interest in lounge access, so it will be interesting to see which of these places are successful with crowds once they are upgraded. Nevertheless, the four airports represent a big move towards their expansion by thousands of square feet.

Construction deadlines don't always keep to schedule and dates are subject to change. These are targets for openings and completions and are not guaranteed, do not rely on these listings to plan trips until Amex announces it officially. Those traveling through Philadelphia after October 26, 2026 Keep in mind that the lounge will be closed during renovations, so have a plan B in mind.

The Bottom Line

Amex are stepping up their investment in the lounge experience from Texas to the East Coast and across the Atlantic to London. The new sites in Newark and Heathrow, both brand new, will be exciting, but the upgrades to Houston and Philadelphia will be welcome. With the new spaces, travelers of the airport may soon have a more comfortable and less congested experience.