Air France just opened its newest lounge, and this comes as a total surprise to me, as I didn’t even realize this was under construction!
In this post:
Basics of the new Air France Lounge Chicago O’Hare
On October 17, 2025, Air France opened a new lounge at Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD), which is the first time that the SkyTeam airline has had its own lounge at the airport. The 470 square meter (5,060 square foot) lounge is located in Terminal 5, and has seating for 105 guests.
The lounge is open daily from 5AM until 11:30PM. Between the hours of 12PM and 5PM, it’s primarily open to Air France and KLM passengers, leading up to the departure of those flights. During those hours, the lounge follows standard SkyTeam lounge access requirements, and is open to SkyTeam business class passengers as well as SkyTeam Elite Plus members.
However, over other hours, the lounge acts as a contract lounge, and is even open to Priority Pass members (I’ll explain more below on why that’s extremely exciting).
Air France is really consistent with its lounge design nowadays, and here’s how the lounge’s design is described:
With its generous ceiling height, the lounge features large bay windows that provide soft, natural light throughout the day, offering an uninterrupted view of the runways. Designed by Air France teams in collaboration with the agency SGK Brandimage, the lounge reflects the world of the airline with the use of its logo, the winged seahorse – its historic symbol – and posters illustrating its rich heritage. Air France’s signature colours – shades of blue, luminous whites and touches of red – give the whole space a refined, chic atmosphere. The furniture, with its soft, enveloping lines, has been carefully selected to offer optimum comfort.
As you’d expect, the lounge has the typical Air France food and drinks, with dishes changing throughout the day, including hot and cold, and sweet and savory options. There’s also a full service bar with a variety of cocktails, champagne, French wines, and more.
While the lounge doesn’t have a La Premiere section (since Air France doesn’t offer first class to Chicago), it does have a space exclusively for Flying Blue Ultimate customers, equipped with four seats.
Why the Air France Lounge Chicago is very exciting
You might notice my enthusiasm in the headline of this post, so let me explain. Historically, Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5 has probably been the worst major international terminal in the United States when it comes to lounge options. It has historically been void of good lounge options, but that has progressively been improving.
For example, in late 2022, we saw Delta’s Sky Club open, which is also where Air France and KLM have been sending their passengers up until now. Then in late 2024, we saw LOT Polish Airlines open its lounge in the terminal, which looks great, and added some much needed capacity.
But what’s truly so exciting here is that up until now, a single Terminal 5 lounge has belonged to Priority Pass, and that’s the Swissport Lounge. I’ve long called the Swissport Lounge Chicago the worst lounge in the United States, and based on the hundreds of comments on my post about it, I’m not alone in feeling that way.
The fact that the Air France Lounge Chicago is also part of Priority Pass elevates the lounge situation in the terminal to such a high degree. There’s finally an acceptable lounge in the terminal, so as long as you’re visiting over eligible hours, this is a phenomenal development. I imagine that Air France will be printing money with this lounge, given the number of Priority Pass members traveling through the terminal who are probably desperate for a half decent facility.
Bottom line
Air France has just opened its own lounge at Chicago O’Hare, which is exciting, since I didn’t even realize this was under development. The lounge looks great, with beautiful views, and Air France also has a solid lounge soft product.
Broadly speaking, the most exciting development here is that the lounge is open to Priority Pass members over most hours, as Terminal 5 was so desperately in need of a half decent Priority Pass lounge. For that reason alone, this might just be one of the most exciting lounge openings in the United States in a long time.
What do you make of the new Air France Lounge Chicago?
Can a DL SkyTeam Gold access this lounge considering that DL doesn’t allow access to the Sky Clubs?
No access unless traveling on an international itinerary.
One suspects that English travellers would be best advised to give the subject lounge a miss at ORD. The reason being that the blog contributor who uses the “ORD, blar, blar, blar” login, might mistake them for little old me. Seemingly he wants me to die by his hands …. one wonders if he has ordered a hit on me? …. :-)
Useless for domestic travelers
Southwest flies in and out of T5, so when it's available for Priority Pass members, it can function as a lounge for SWA domestic travelers, no?
From my read - it can be - except from 12 to 5 when access limited to the AF/KLM and Sky Team Elite. Similar entry requirements to the AF Dulles Lounge
So noted. But, for those traveling internationally . . .
Delta domestic flights originate out of T5. It would be quite useful for them.
It was only a handful of years ago that AirFrance-KLM had a lounge at ORD T5. Sometimes I would board my AF or KL flights direct from the door in the lounge at ORD. This was before Delta got a lounge at ORD T5.
One wonders how packed this lounge will get during the later bank of evening international flights (I'm looking at you, EK).
Was just there this morning. The staff was very kind and attentive and the F&B selection for breakfast was great. It’s nice to get something out of Priority Pass once in a while.
The big question in my mind is whether this would be superior to the new Delta lounge at ORD, which is large and very nice. Maybe the alcohol is fancier? Or the food spread might be more "elevated" during non-priority pass hours, but I doubt it's more extensive than Delta's.
So noted. But, for those not traveling on Delta or SkyTeam . . .
I would caution that sometimes Priority Pass is denied access when capacity is an issue. Reserving access to only AF passengers (or SkyTeam passengers/elites). I've seen it occur.
Agree = that happens at Dulles
It’s in T5. Non starter. UA has great lounges at Ord. So does AA. They’re not on priority pass but that keeps out the undesirable customers.
Unless one is traveling internationally. Yet another "it's only about me" comment from the middle school student.
Speaking of 'middle school' humor... Jack, are the same 'Jack' as at DoC, where 'MeOff' keeps following you around?
I don't recall that. But, with respect to you, differ user name -- same middle school student.
This post is specifically about increased optionality in T5, which has no relevance to United nor American customers given they don't depart flights from there. Not sure if you've visited an Admiral's Club recently but there's more than enough undesirable behavior happening there too, even without Priority Pass.
Indeed.
AA has great lounges... Really? I used AA's flagship lounge at ORD twice last month. I would hardly call it great. Perhaps the great one is the one I didn't use. Let me know where it is so I can try it out next time.
Yet another name -- same middle school student.
We must fly out of different ORD airports. UA has one nice (non-Polaris) club in ORD, and that’s out in C. The rest are dated and all have uninspired F&B. AA’s lounges are passable. The main lounge is frequently packed to the gills and, again, marginal F&B.
I remember the old AF-KL lounge in T5. It was a broom closet, a dump, and it had the worst food. Given how large (and lovely) the...
We must fly out of different ORD airports. UA has one nice (non-Polaris) club in ORD, and that’s out in C. The rest are dated and all have uninspired F&B. AA’s lounges are passable. The main lounge is frequently packed to the gills and, again, marginal F&B.
I remember the old AF-KL lounge in T5. It was a broom closet, a dump, and it had the worst food. Given how large (and lovely) the DL SkyClub is in T5 I’m surprised AF and KL didn’t just keep using it and save themselves some money.
Priority Pass curbs incoming in 3, 2...
Yee of little faith... put one of your 13 complimentary Priority Pass memberships to use!
I visited the lounge on Friday (flying business class on Air France); its definitely a step up from the Swissport lounge. FWIW, they did mention that they will not allow Priority Pass members when AF/KLM have flights, likely between 12-5 pm. Its a pretty small lounge but their alcohol and food selection is even a step up from the delta sky club
Unrelated Lucky but no coverage about Brazil's GOL getting A330neos? Pretty big move for an airline that only flies 737s! There were some articles on Reuters and a few other sources late last week.
You got your wish! He just posted on that separately.
Epic. Air France is knocking it out of the park with new US-based lounges. JFK, LAX, SFO, and now ORD are a great addition to those airports. Can't wait for whatever AF does at the new JFK T1, whenever that finally opens (sure to be a BFD in our community.)
Not all US-based AF lounges are accessible with Priority Pass.
I know, Lee; yet, still, AF lounges are nice, high quality, and worthwhile, if you have access via PP or SkyTeam or whatever.