United Club

United Club – Tokyo Narita (NRT)

The sprawling United Club at Tokyo Narita airport is one of United’s largest lounges worldwide, reflecting the former status of the Nippon capital as one the hubs in the airline’s network.

Conveniently located in a central location next to gate 31, a stone’s throw from the security checkpoint, the United Club welcomes members, Star Alliance Gold passengers, and business class passengers.

Above the United Club is an equally large former United Global First Lounge which now serves as a VIP space. It was supposed to be converted into a Polaris Lounge in 2018, but the project never materialized. For the foreseeable future, business class passengers, frequent flyers, and Club members will continue to share the same space.

United Club NRT design

The United Club at Tokyo-Narita airport occupies a prime location with a generous floor plan, ample daylight, and outstanding tarmac views.

United Club – Tokyo Narita (NRT)

Bathed in daylight, the two-story lobby area with a glass ceiling hosts a a reception zone, a customer service desk, elevators to the Global First Lounge, and several large dining tables. The design sets the tone—it’s impressive, with cathedral ceilings and hanging panels, yet a tad passé. The lounge was built in the 1980s, back when Narita airport played a major role in United’s Asian network inherited from Pan Am airlines. With a new fleet of longer-range and more modern aircraft that can fly non-stop to more destinations, United has significantly scaled down its Tokyo operations, and the club isn’t the crown jewel it used to be. The furniture was replaced in 2015, but the original décor remains intact otherwise, complete with the somewhat odd grooved floor tiles and yellow hues.

The lounge spreads in virtually every direction, with seating areas arranged in small “neighborhoods” separated by Japanese-style dividers. The design is both unique, with beautiful Japanese artwork, and uninspired, with rows of leather armchairs and coffee tables. The latest renovations have brought individual lamps, as well as much needed power and USB ports. Unfortunately, most center seats and all dining tables remain devoid of power outlets.

United Club – Tokyo Narita (NRT)

At the periphery of the lounge is a more intimate seating area where guests may soak in some of the airport’s finer views of the tarmac, with impressive vistas of wide-body aircraft and operations.

In addition to traditional individual seats, passengers will find a variety of dining tables, intimate conversation corners furnished with egg chairs, and table top seating against the rear windows.

With United’s shrinking service to Tokyo Narita, it’s easier than ever to find a private spot, and the United Club is typically quiet and somewhat intimate despite its sheer dimensions.

United Club NRT amenities

The United Club at Tokyo Narita airport boasts a complete line-up of amenities for international travel.

United Club – Tokyo Narita (NRT)

Two buffet areas, located near the lobby and in the rear of the lounge, offer a selection of vegetable and meat sushi, soups, crudités, and Japanese snacks such as wasabi peas and edamame. There is also basic hot fare, such as noodles, fried shrimp, and soup. The selection is a definite step above the typical United Club selection, but at peak times the staff can be a bit slow to replenish the buffet—expect the sushi to disappear within minutes.

The self-serve bar features a handful of wines, sake, as well as a pretty standard line-up of liquor and spirits, including Campari gin and Ballantine’s whiskey. A highlight—and a staple of airline lounges in Japan—is the automated beer serving machine, which tilts your glass for the perfect pour. On the non-alcoholic front, guests will find soda, tea, and espresso.

United Club – Tokyo Narita (NRT)

A large business center equipped with a seemingly infinite number of cubicles offers the ultimate in privacy, should one overlook the depressing design straight from the 80s and the lack of natural light. Each cubicle is equipped with a desk, a work lamp, and a power outlet. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout.

The United Club features large and well-appointed shower suites. While, again, the design is a blast from the past, the showers are nevertheless a much appreciated amenity on sweltering days prior to a long flight. The suites come with a toilet, a sink, a shower, towels, bath products, and a hair dryer. Additional amenities such as razors, toothbrushes, and combs are available upon request. Inquire at the shower reception desk; should there be a wait, the staff will issue a buzzer.

Other amenities include a selection of newspapers and magazines.

United Club NRT bottom line

United Club – Tokyo Narita (NRT)

The United Club at Tokyo’s Narita airport is a spacious and well-appointed lounge with comfortable seating, outstanding tarmac views, a decent food selection, and enjoyable shower suites.

Once one of United’s crown jewels, the United Club retains its expansive footprint, appealing artwork—and unique but dated décor.

United was supposed to build a Polaris Lounge for business class customers above the United Club back in 2018, but the project has been shelved.

Passengers who value an expanded array of food options (such as cooked-to-order ramen and curry) and a more modern design may walk over to the ANA Lounge in Satellite 4. The United Club is typically less busy, though, and benefits from more daylight.