United Airlines Opens Renovated Polaris Lounge at Chicago (ORD)
United Airlines has opened its renovated Polaris Lounge at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD). The renovated lounge is now 50% larger, spanning 25,000 square feet (2323 m²). It includes more than 350 seats for visitors, 50 seats across a larger dining space, a second bar, six additional restrooms, and private spaces for work or relaxation.
The Chicago Polaris lounge is located in Terminal 1 near gate C18 and is open daily from 07:00 to 21:00 (9 pm). International customers traveling in United Polaris and premium Star Alliance cabins can access any of the six Polaris lounges in Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Washington D.C. (IAD), New York/Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), and Los Angeles (LAX).
United also partnered with Crate & Barrel for the Polaris Lounge – the first and only airline collaboration for the whole home retailer to help with the design inside the lounge. Some contributions from Crate & Barrel include Marin dinnerware and the new Tuscan Marble collection.
More Dining and Beverage Options
With the addition of a second bar, United is the first and only U.S. airline to offer two full-service bars in a business-class lounge. There are now over 25 bar seats and a menu of top-shelf liquor, premium wines, and non-alcoholic beverages. The second bar location is found in 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 featuring Rittenhouse Rye, Lingua Franca Pinot Noir, and more.
The renovated lounge also features a larger dining area with more than 50 seats – nearly tripling the number of dining seats – where travelers can order à la carte meals with curated premium food and beverages, including Prosciutto Parmigiano Crostini, Shrimp, Scallop, Spring Vegetable Risotto, and Aperol Spritz cake.
In addition to a la carte dining, customers can enjoy a hot buffet with breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, a mezze station with lemon honey whipped ricotta, flatbreads, and more. Snacks like premium nuts, Mediterranean olives, and a charcuterie board are served at both bars.
Press Release: Reimagined United Polaris® Lounge Opens in Chicago with 50% More Space and Crate & Barrel Decor
Closing Thoughts
This lounge looks amazing. I have never had a chance to visit a Polaris Lounge, but hope to in the future. 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 in 2016.