Chicago-based United Airlines launched its renovated and expanded United Polaris lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport in late April, offering travelers more space, a modern design, and elevated amenities. The United Polaris lounge in Chicago is now 50% larger and features 25,000 square feet of lounge space, including more than 350 seats for travelers, 50 seats across a larger dining space, a second bar, six additional restrooms, private spaces for relaxation or work, and a range of products curated in partnership with Northbrook retailer Crate & Barrel—the first and only airline collaboration for the home decor company. United was the first U.S. airline to debut a premium lounge exclusively for international business-class travelers with the launch of the United Polaris lounge at O’Hare in 2016, and the airline now has six premium lounges in the U.S.—more than any other U.S. airline.
“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,” says Aaron McMillan, United’s managing director of hospitality programs, in a prepared statement. “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 United Polaris lounge in Chicago marks the airline’s latest investment in its network of clubs and lounges. Since 2022, United has opened or renovated a total of nine United Club locations across its system, including the recent opening of United Club Fly at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. This year, the airline will open a new dining room in the United Polaris lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and a renovated and expanded United Club in Denver International Airport’s B West Terminal, which will complete the airline’s plan to redesign every United Club at the Denver airport. Internationally, United plans to reopen the United Club at Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong. Next year, United will open a new United Club at San Francisco International Airport and its largest-ever United Club, also at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
United Polaris Dining & Beverage Choices
With the addition of a second bar in the newly renovated United Polaris lounge at Chicago O’Hare, United is the first and only U.S. airline to offer two full-service bars in a business-class lounge. There are now more than 25 bar seats with an option to bring drinks to another seating area, as well as a menu of top-shelf liquor, premium wines, nonalcoholic beverages, and more. The new, second bar is a speakeasy-style space with a selection of premium wine and champagne options, such as Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut, and Chicago-inspired cocktails, including the Second City Sour that features Rittenhouse Rye, Malort, lemon, egg white, and Lingua Franca pinot noir.
The renovated lounge also features a larger dining area with more than 50 seats—nearly tripling the amount of dining seats—where travelers can order a la carte meals with curated premium food and beverages, including Prosciutto Parmigiano Crostini and Aperol Spritz Cake.
In addition to a la carte dining, customers can enjoy a hot breakfast buffet; lunch and dinner menus; a mezze station with lemon honey-whipped ricotta, flatbreads, and more; and snacks served at both bars, including premium nuts, Mediterranean olives, and charcuterie boards.
Chicago-Inspired Design
Inspired by Chicago, the renovated United Polaris lounge reflects the the city by celebrating its architecture and unique geography. United worked with Johalla Projects, an art curatorial collective in Chicago, to showcase work from nine Chicago-based artists with a range of artwork types, including print photography, paintings, collages, and more that highlight the region.
To elevate the lounge experience, dinnerware and decor is provided by Crate & Barrel. United worked with the retailer’s in-house design and business sales teams to curate timeless pieces that aim to elevate the traveler experience. From Crate & Barrel’s classic Marin dinnerware and Tuscan Marble Collection, to its collection of Le Creuset cookware in colors exclusive to the retailer, every detail was chosen to enhance both form and function.
The United Polaris lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport is in Terminal 1 near Gate C18, and it is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CDT daily. International customers traveling in United Polaris and premium Star Alliance cabins can access the United Polaris lounge at locations in Chicago; Houston; Washington., D.C. (Washington Dulles International Airport); Newark, New Jersey; San Francisco; and Los Angeles(Los Angeles International Airport).
