I landed from Tampa at around 9:45AM, so first decided to head to the American Flagship Lounge. American operates out of Terminal 3 at O’Hare, while Cathay Pacific operates out of Terminal 5.
The lounges in Terminal 5 aren’t exactly exciting, so I decided to first spend about an hour in the Flagship Lounge.
Then at around 11AM I took the train over to Terminal 5. This requires leaving security, so at around 11:15AM I was at Cathay Pacific’s check-in counter.
I was quickly checked in and greeted by the station manager. My boarding pass was issued within a minute, at which point I was escorted through security.
The way foreign airlines escort premium passengers through security in the US is wildly inconsistent:
- Some airlines claim they’re not allowed to escort passengers through security, per TSA policy
- Some airlines offer extremely assertive escorts that literally push you to the front of the security line, as was the case when I flew Air France first class from Los Angeles to Paris
- Some airlines have escorts that basically just queue with you in the security line, which adds zero value, as was the case when I flew China Southern first class from Los Angeles to Guangzhou
This escort was somewhere in the middle. She tried to get me to the front of the line, though I’m pretty sure she was the least assertive person on the planet.
So she sort of halfway walked me to the front of the line and then just kind of stood there, while the passengers behind me proceeded to cuss me out in what I believe was Russian, because they thought I was trying to cut the line.
I think it takes a certain personality to be an escort (security line escort, that is… though I suppose true otherwise as well), someone who isn’t afraid to push their way to the front and say “excuse me” to the passengers behind them.
Anyway, security took maybe 10 minutes, at which point I was lead to the British Airways Galleries First Class Lounge. It was located just past the security checkpoint and to the left, across the concourse from the British Airways Terraces (Business Class) Lounge.
British Airways First Class Lounge Chicago O’Hare Airport
Last time I flew Cathay Pacific first class from Chicago to Hong Kong I was only invited to use the SAS Business Class Lounge, which is a shared business/first class facility. Funny enough, I was actually denied access to the British Airways Lounge the last time I flew Cathay Pacific out of Chicago, in clear violation of oneworld policy.
There was a friendly attendant at the door, who immediately admitted me after the escort handed her my lounge invitation.
The British Airways Lounge was tiny. It was basically one long and narrow room. There were about a dozen seats on the left of the lounge, both lined up along the wall and by the window.
British Airways First Class Lounge seating Chicago O’Hare Airport
British Airways First Class Lounge seating Chicago O’Hare Airport
Then there was more seating in the center and on the other end of the lounge, with maybe another dozen or so seats.
British Airways First Class Lounge seating Chicago O’Hare Airport
British Airways First Class Lounge seating Chicago O’Hare Airport
British Airways First Class Lounge seating Chicago O’Hare Airport
Back near the entrance was an open bar with one bar-height table.
British Airways First Class Lounge open bar Chicago O’Hare Airport
The open bar consisted of liquor, beer, wine, champagne, soft drinks, a coffee machine, etc.
British Airways First Lounge Chicago open bar
The champagne on offer was Nicolas Feuillatte, which is unoffensive, though nothing to get excited over.
British Airways First Lounge Chicago open bar
The food spread was absolutely abysmal, though.
British Airways First Lounge Chicago buffet
There were a few types of stale finger sandwiches.
British Airways First Lounge Chicago buffet
Then there were four types of vegetables with ranch dressing.
British Airways First Lounge Chicago buffet
Then some packaged cheese and crackers.
British Airways First Lounge Chicago buffet
And then three kinds of chips, including Popchips and Miss Vickie’s.
British Airways First Lounge Chicago snacks
British Airways First Lounge Chicago snacks
British Airways First Lounge Chicago snacks
And then I guess to appease the Cathay Pacific passengers they also had instant noodles.
British Airways First Lounge Chicago instant noodles
Then on the right side of the lounge were several containers with cookies, snack mix, etc.
British Airways First Lounge Chicago snacks
There were two private bathrooms in the far left of the lounge, though neither had a shower (the business class lounge has showers, though).
British Airways First Lounge Chicago bathroom
The only redeeming quality of the lounge was that it had a nice view of the tarmac and runway in the distance.
United 767-300 O’Hare Airport
The lounge was terrible for an international first class lounge, between how small it was and how bad the food selection was. So I decided to just roam the terminal for a bit and enjoy some of the views, including of an Air India 777-300ER (which I really want to fly).
Air India 777-300ER O’Hare Airport
Unfortunately the inbound aircraft was delayed, so I received the news that boarding would start about 15 minutes late. I headed to the departure gate at around 1:30PM.
Cathay Pacific 777-300ER taking me to Hong Kong!
Boarding gate for flight to Hong Kong
At 1:35PM boarding finally started, with first & business class passengers all boarding at once through the left side of the gate area.
British Airways Chicago First Class Lounge bottom line
For an international first class lounge this was downright depressing. Heck, for a business class lounge of a non-US carrier it’s depressing. I assume (hope?) the lounge’s catering is better when there are actually British Airways passengers, but this certainly wasn’t a good showing. This is hardly worthy of even a mention on my list of the best airport lounges in the world.
On the plus side, the lounge was quiet, the Wi-Fi was fast, and the views were nice. I certainly wouldn’t arrive at the airport even a minute early to use this lounge, though.
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