United Airlines is closing its secret restaurant at Newark Airport (EWR), and it’s probably good news for premium customers, as flagged by Sean Cudahy.
The basics of Classified Restaurant Newark Airport
For some background, in 2017, United Airlines opened Classified Restaurant at Newark Airport. The concept of an airline operating any invitation-only restaurant might sound a bit strange, and to be honest, it kind of is. Here’s how United described the restaurant when it opened:
We’re pleased to welcome you to dine at CLASSIFIED, an invitation-only, contemporary restaurant at Newark Airport.
The creators of CLASSIFIED have created a bright and airy dining space that’s hidden away for those lucky enough to get an invitation. On the cutting edge of airport dining, CLASSIFIED offers a menu that’s inspired by upscale American cuisine with seasonal ingredients and tableside service. We’re offering reservations to select United customers only, and we want to make sure you’re at the top of the list. Reserve a table today to experience this unique, new restaurant that’s the first of its kind.
The restaurant is located airside, and it’s hidden behind another restaurant. The only way to dine here is if you receive an invitation, and invitations are issued through United (often to high value customers, whether based on elite status or the class of service you’re flying).
To be clear, this isn’t some reward from United, where you receive all the food and drinks for free. Quite to the contrary, dining here comes with a hefty price tag.
It sure is a unique concept, given that most high value customers probably don’t spend that much more time at the airport than they have to, not to mention that they probably have lounge access. Anyway, the restaurant is about to shut its doors, so let’s get to the update…
Classified Restaurant closing for Polaris Lounge expansion
As of Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Classified Restaurant will be closing. The restaurant is adjacent to the United Polaris Lounge Newark, so the space of the restaurant will instead be used to expand United’s most premium lounge at the airport.
As a United spokesperson explains, “United is expanding its Newark Polaris Lounge into the Classified space, adding a large dining area and making other enhancements to the customer experience.” More details are expected to be shared closer to the opening date, around early 2025.
The plan is for this space to add about 60 seats to the Polaris Lounge, bringing the total capacity to around 500 seats. What’s especially awesome is that this may continue to operate as a dining room, meaning that perhaps guests will be able to enjoy a la carte dining here (except at no additional cost, rather than with a hefty price tag).
Personally I’d consider this to be a positive change, especially given how crowded the Polaris Lounge can get during peak hours. This isn’t the only Polaris Lounge that United is expanding, as the Polaris Lounge Chicago is also undergoing an expansion, and will increase in size by over 50%.
Bottom line
United Airlines’ Classified Restaurant Newark Airport will be closing on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Since this is adjacent to the Polaris Lounge, the space will instead be used to create an additional dining area in the lounge, with around 60 extra seats.
I’d consider this to be a great development, since an expensive airport steakhouse will instead turn into a dining area that’s included with Polaris tickets.
What do you make of Classified Newark closing, and the Polaris Lounge expansion?
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