United Airlines has just opened its newly renovated and expanded Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). The new lounge offers more space for travelers along with a modern design and elevated amenities.
United Expands its Polaris Lounge in Chicago
After the expansion, the new lounge measures 50% larger than the previous iteration of the ORD Polaris Lounge at roughly 25,000 square feet. It offers seating for more than 350 passengers and includes a 50 seat dining space, second bar, six additional restrooms, and private spaces for relaxation and work.
The interior of the lounge was designed in partnership with Chicago based Crate & Barrel, marking the first and only collaboration between an airline and the whole home retailer. United worked with Crate & Barrel to curate the dinnerware and decor found throughout the lounge. United also worked with Johalla Projects, an art curatorial collective in Chicago, to showcase artwork from nine Chicago-based artists.
This is the first major refresh of a Polaris Lounge since United first launched the premium lounge, exclusively for international Business Class travelers, back in 2016. United led the way in this space as the first U.S. airline to open a lounge catering to international Business Class Travelers. American quickly followed suit with its Flagship Lounges and Delta joined the party last year when it opened its first Delta One Lounge.
Aaron McMillan, United’s Managing Director of Hospitality Programs, said this about the lounge reopening:
“Our vast international network is one of United’s unique strengths, and our United Polaris lounges help set the tone for business class travelers before or after their long-haul flights. Customers are going to love our new Chicago lounge because it gives them more of all of the things they want most—more space, more amenities, and more dining options—and we’ll carry this new elevated design into future lounge openings and renovations across our United Polaris lounge portfolio.”
The reopening of the Chicago Polaris Lounge is the latest in United’s continued investments in its lounge network. The airline recently opened its second United Club Fly location at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and has opened or renovated nine United Club locations since 2022.
Later this year, United will open a new dining room in the United Polaris Lounge in Newark (EWR) and a renovated and expanded United Club in Denver’s Concourse B West, joining previously upgraded/opened lounges in Concourse B East and Concourse A.
More Food and Beverage Options
As part of the Polaris Lounge upgrades, United installed a second bar area, becoming the only U.S. airline to offer two full-service bars in a business class lounge, though many other lounges utilize pop-up bars. The lounge now has more than 25 bar seats as well as a menu of top-shelf liquor, premium wines, non-alcoholic beverages and more.
The new, second bar is designed like a speakeasy and has premium wine and champagne options on offer like Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut. There are also a variety of Chicago inspired cocktails available, including the Second City Sour which features Rittenhouse Rye, Malort, lemon, egg white and Lingua Franca Pinot Noir.
The dining space in the lounge has tripled in size as part of the expansion, with seating for more than 50 guests. A la carte meals are available as well as a hot buffet with breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, mezze station with lemon honey whipped ricotta, flatbreads and more. Both bars also have snacks available like premium nuts, Mediterranean olives and a charcuterie board.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago Hours of Operation and Entry Requirements
The newly renovated United Polaris Lounge is Chicago is located in Terminal 1 near Gate C18. The lounge is open daily between 7:00a and 9:00p. Passengers traveling internationally in United Polaris Business Class or in premium cabins with United’s Star Alliance partners can access the lounge.
Summary
United Airlines has just unveiled its remodeled Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). The new lounge is 50% larger than the previous version and features an expanded dining area, two full-service bars, and seating for more than 350 guests. The lounge decor has also gotten a refresh thanks to a partnership with Crate & Barrel. I’ve yet to visit a Polaris Lounge but, based on the pictures, I’m looking forward to the opportunity.
(Images courtesy United)
