United Polaris Lounge

United Polaris Lounge – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

The United Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare, located near Gate C18, opened on December 1st, 2016. The Polaris Lounge welcomes exclusively United Polaris business and first class customers, as well as Star Alliance premium passengers departing on international flights (Canada and Mexico excluded.)

United Club members and Star Alliance Gold members do not have access unless they are ticketed in business class, but may use one of the three United Clubs.

The Chicago location was the first in a burgeoning network of Polaris Lounges, which will eventually include clubs at all United hubs and international focus cities.

United Polaris Lounge ORD design

United Polaris Lounge – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

The United Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare boasts a grand dimly lit entryway with a backlit marble reception desk, and a lighting sculpture by Wolfgang Buttress inspired by the Chicago street network.

With floor-to-ceiling windows, the Polaris Lounge offers terrific views on the tarmac and parked aircraft. At peak times, there may be several wide bodies parked immediately outside the lounge, a sight to behold for aviation lovers.

The color scheme is a soothing blue, gray and white, with high-end finishes which set the Polaris Lounge worlds apart from the United Club. The bar area boasts a more vibrant vibe with blue LED lighting, pristine white marble, and an under lit counter.

United Polaris Lounge – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

Travelers have their choice of custom seating, including: dining areas, club seats with tables and lighting, and a few spots for families and groups.

The Polaris Lounge was primarily designed with the solo business traveler in mind: a highlight of the lounge is the numerous semi-private seats that feature personal lighting, USB and power outlets, a coat hook, and a pull-out marble tray that can be used for laptops or eating. The seat concept was inspired by the design of the Polaris business class seat. The pods are spacious, comfortable and pleasantly private.

In response to passenger feedback and in order to minimize noise, there is only a single television in the lounge behind the bar. Still, the Polaris Lounge does get busy—and noisy—at peak times, especially in the afternoons when flights to Europe depart. We wish that United had included phone rooms in the design of the Polaris Lounge, in order to accommodate passengers who need to make phone calls. A family room would also have been welcome as well. Fortunately, there are quiet and private sleeping suites for customers who wish to rest.

United Polaris Lounge ORD amenities

The United Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare features an upscale dining experience, with food created by celebrity Chef Art Smith, who served as Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef for 10 years. Offerings include a buffet with sandwiches, small entrees, cheeses, and a make-your-own salad bar, along with desserts. The food is freshly prepared on site in a full kitchen.

United Polaris Lounge – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

There is also a complimentary full-service restaurant—a unique amenity among domestic carriers, which places United above the competition when it comes to ground services. The service is especially valuable for travelers bound to Europe, since most flights are too short for a full dinner service and a restful night.

Highlights of the a-la-carte menu include prime beef carpaccio, rare seared tuna tataki, Chef Art Smith’s signature fried chicken and shrimp and grits, and a pear and cranberry cobbler.

A-la-carte service is only offered in the dedicated restaurant zone, but patrons sitting in other areas may help themselves from the buffet and order drinks from servers.

United Polaris Lounge – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

The Polaris Lounge bar is taking full advantage of the craft cocktail craze, led by mixologist Adam Seger. Forget about finding call brands or familiar premium liquors: Seger and his mixology friends are offering new twists on familiar cocktails using craft liquors that will be exclusive to the Polaris Lounge. One drink is the London Spritz, Seger’s take on a Pimm’s Cup, a British summer drink that’s especially popular during the Wimbledon tennis tournament. Instead of lemonade, Seger uses blood orange juice and Balsam Amaro Americano, a bittersweet liqueur made with rare teas, exotic citrus and “grandmother” spices like vanilla and cinnamon. It’s garnished with cucumber zest and mint and served over ice. Our personal favorite is the series of “Airplane cocktails” which come complete with a clipped-on paper airplane and a Polaris branded coaster.

Behind the bar are two walls with humidors, which United assigns to frequent high value passengers—a unique service within the airline industry. The airline’s best customers have the option to pre-order and store their favorite wine or liquor, and United picks up the tab.

Soda, juices, and bottled water to go are available for self-service in coolers by the buffet area. Barista coffee is also available.

United Polaris Lounge – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

After a meal and a cocktail, you may want to rest before your flight. The lounge features four relaxation suites that have custom-designed day beds. They may be a case of style over function, though—we would prefer a more traditional, fully-flat day bed.

The suites feature dimming lights, Saks Fifth Avenue-branded pillows, blankets, slippers and eye masks, as well as a bottle of water, ear plugs and Sleepy Cow Calming Pillow Mist from Cowshed Spa. While the slumber rooms lack a door, they’re very private nevertheless thanks to their isolated location away from the crowds, in a separate enclosed area. White noise is pumped in the area in order to facilitate relaxation, and patrons may choose between a variety of sleep and relaxation inducing sounds. A staff member will be happy to fetch you ahead of your flight should you wish to indulge in a nap.

United Polaris Lounge – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

In case you want to take a shower before or after your trip, the Polaris Lounge boasts six gorgeous shower suites. Inquire with the valet behind the double glass door; should there be a wait, a staff member will come find you in person in the lounge when your shower is ready. Decked in fine stone with soft lighting and high-end finishes, the shower suites are a luxurious haven reminiscent of five star hotels.

The oversized rooms come with an elegant sink, a Toto toilet, a hansgrohe rain shower, and an additional hand-held shower head. Amenities include a heavenly memory foam bath mat, plush Saks Fifth Avenue-branded towels, slippers, and Cowshed Spa bath products in wall-mounted dispensers. Essentials such as combs, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shower caps and shaving kits, are available upon request. We love the small details that make a difference: the digital clock, the USB outlet to charge your devices while you shower, and the convenient bench in the shower.

Pressing service is available upon request: hang your clothes through the double door, and they will be returned to you wrinkle free while you freshen up.

United Polaris Lounge – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

The bathrooms are equally impressive. Located in a futuristic hallway with fiber optic lighting, twelve individual oversized gender-neutral stalls with a sink and a bench offer patrons plenty of space to change.

Other amenities at the Polaris include a “wellness room” with a sink for new mothers, as well as a selection of newspapers. There are no magazines in sight, however: customers benefit from complimentary access to the Foli online service, where they can download a wide selection of reading materials to their personal device.

United Polaris Lounge ORD bottom line

United Polaris Lounge – Chicago O’Hare (ORD)

The United Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare is impressive. The space is elegant and functional, with several luxurious touches such as shower suites, relaxation rooms, private pods, and a-la-carte dining.

While the range of amenities is outstanding for business class, we were most impressed by the service. The ratio of staff to passengers demonstrates United’s commitment to offering personal service. The staff has visibly gone through rigorous training, and appears to be genuinely proud of the product.

There’s only one catch: the Polaris Lounge typically operates at capacity at peak departure times, and guests should expect to be placed on the waitlist for the dining room or showers. Late 2017, an expansion brought additional seating and a more spacious dining room. Another expansion is in the works, and should open in 2024.