Last December United opened their first Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare Airport. This is their new lounge experience for international premium cabin passengers, and is supposed to go along with their new Polaris onboard experience.
Unfortunately since then United hasn’t opened any other Polaris Lounges, though they’re supposed to open more next year.
Back in September the cheapest ticket that came with access to the Polaris Lounge was an Air Canada ticket from Chicago to Toronto (I’ll talk more about the lounge’s entry requirements below). So I booked one of those, since I figured I was long overdue for a review of the lounge.
Well, the same day I booked that ticket United changed their policy so that those traveling on Air Canada no longer got Polaris Lounge access. The timing of this was bizarre, as I had no previous knowledge of the policy change. United reached out to invite me to use the Polaris Lounge for my trip since I had booked prior to the policy change, so I took them up on that (I still flew Air Canada business class from Chicago to Toronto).
I was excited to check out the lounge to see if it lived up to the hype, and also to compare it to American’s new Flagship Lounges. Before I get too deep into this review I should mention that Travis reviewed the Polaris Lounge Chicago shortly after it opened, as well as the extensive a la carte dining experience.
United Polaris Lounge access rules
United’s Polaris Lounge can be accessed by passengers traveling same day on an international longhaul flight in Polaris, even if the longhau flight doesn’t depart directly out of Chicago. In other words, someone traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles to Sydney would have access. Beyond that, passengers traveling nonstop longhaul in a Star Alliance premium cabin out of Chicago the same day get access. That means that those traveling on ANA, Lufthansa, etc., get access, but only on departure and when flying nonstop out of Chicago.
However, the Polaris Lounge isn’t open to Star Alliance Gold members. Instead they’ll be directed to the United Club.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago location
The United Polaris Lounge Chicago is located in the C Concourse of Terminal 1. When you clear security at Terminal 1 you’ll have to follow the signage towards the C Concourse, which requires taking the underground tunnel.
Chicago O’Hare Airport Terminal 1
When you take the escalator up from the underground tunnel you’ll see a customer service desk, and just to the left of that is the entrance to the Polaris Lounge.
Chicago O’Hare Airport Terminal 1
There’s a beautiful entryway with a couple of United Polaris Lounge signs.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago exterior
United Polaris Lounge Chicago signage
United Polaris Lounge Chicago hours
The Polaris Lounge at O’Hare Airport is open daily from 7:15AM until 9:00PM. That strikes me as a rather late opening time. While it covers all the passengers nonstop out of Chicago to longhaul destinations, it’s not ideal for those connecting onto a longhaul flight, as in many cases that requires departing earlier. I was at the lounge right when it opened, and there were a couple dozen people standing outside, and several of them commented on how they were surprised the lounge wasn’t open yet.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago review
To start the review I should mention that presently United’s Polaris Lounge Chicago is 12,782 square feet, with seating for 204 people. However, it’s in the process of being expanded, and once that’s complete this winter, it should be 16,292 square feet, with seating for 277 people.
Now let’s get into the actual review.
Inside the entrance was a welcome desk, along with a cool blue lighting fixture.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago entrance
Past that are a few sit-down customer service desks, where agents can help with any travel needs.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago customer service desks
The lounge is a bit smaller than I was visualizing it to be. Past the entrance is the first main part of the lounge, which features two “aisles” you can walk down. On the far end of the room are a series of tables that seat two people each, along a booth. Then in the center section are these really cool semi-private back-to-back cubicles.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago seating
United Polaris Lounge Chicago seating
I love these semi-private seats, and think they’re so well designed. When I sat in them I really felt like I had my own private space. Each seat has chargers, and also a table that can be pulled out, in addition to the side table. This is an absolutely brilliant seating option, as it makes you forget just how crowded the lounge can get.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago seating
Past that main area of the lounge and to the left was the bar area, which is in an “L” shape. In the far corner of the below picture you’ll see the wine lockers where frequent guests can store their own wine.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago bar
Surrounding the bar is the lounge’s sit-down dining area, where they have waiter service and a la carte dining. There are five tables along the wall, which are definitely the ones to select, if possible, since they feel quite private.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago dining area
Then there are another seven tables along the other side of the bar that are part of the restaurant as well. These tables feel awfully exposed as they’re just sort of along the center of the lounge’s walkway, so like I said, I’d choose one of the other tables if possible.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago dining area
United Polaris Lounge Chicago dining area
The rest of the seating in the lounge is pretty standard airline lounge seating. There are a bit over a dozen seats to the right of the main room, which is also where the buffet is located.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago seating
United Polaris Lounge Chicago buffet
Then there are some more seats to the side of the dining area and bar.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago seating
United Polaris Lounge Chicago seating
Then the other main part of the lounge is back by the windows, where there are more tables, semi-private cubicles, and lounge chairs.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago seating
United Polaris Lounge Chicago seating
United Polaris Lounge Chicago seating
United Polaris Lounge Chicago seating
United Polaris Lounge Chicago showers, daybeds, and bathrooms
Rather than having bathrooms that are separated by gender with shared facilities, the lounge instead has about a dozen unisex bathrooms, down a hallway right near the entrance.
United Polaris Lounge bathrooms
I love the fact that they have these private bathrooms, rather than the shared ones you’ll find in both lounges.
United Polaris Lounge bathrooms
The lounge also has shower suites and daybeds, which are located at one end of the lounge, in a separate room that says “Valet Services” on the door.
United Polaris Lounge valet services
There’s a person there who can get you a shower suite or daybed, and you just have to provide your boarding pass.
United Polaris Lounge valet services desk
The lounge has five semi-private daybeds, with slippers, eyeshades, and pillows (the same Saks Fifth Avenue ones they have onboard). This is a nice feature, though at the same time it would be nice if they had blankets so that people could get really comfortable. Heck, I wish they had gone all the way and put in proper beds, but I can’t blame them for not doing it, given how many people have access to this lounge.
United Polaris Lounge daybeds
United Polaris Lounge daybeds
The lounge has seven shower rooms, along a starry hallway.
United Polaris Lounge showers
The shower suites are great, with two shower heads, toilets, etc. There are also further travel essentials available on request.
United Polaris Lounge shower suites
United Polaris Lounge shower suites
United Polaris Lounge Saks Fifth Avenue towels
United Polaris Lounge Chicago buffet dining
I was at the Polaris Lounge from about 7:15AM until 1PM, so I had plenty of time to check out the food selection. The main buffet area is just outside the entrance to the shower suites and daybeds, and the presentation is very nice.
United Polaris Lounge Chicago buffet
Let’s start with the breakfast selection. There were pastries, scones, bagels, fresh fruit, salmon, mini-yogurt parfaits, etc.
United Polaris Lounge breakfast buffet
United Polaris Lounge breakfast buffet
United Polaris Lounge breakfast buffet
United Polaris Lounge breakfast buffet
United Polaris Lounge breakfast buffet
United Polaris Lounge breakfast buffet
In terms of hot options, there was oatmeal, bacon, sausage, and three types of frittatas (vegetable, parmesan and cheddar, and sausage and bacon), each served in individual skillets.
United Polaris Lounge breakfast buffet
United Polaris Lounge breakfast buffet
United Polaris Lounge breakfast buffet
United Polaris Lounge breakfast buffet
While the presentation was nice, the buffet was a bit more limited than I was expecting. The lounge has a sit-down dining area which I’ll talk more about in a bit, but I was surprised by how limited the buffet was. Furthermore, the portions of many of the pre-plated items were tiny. They looked beautiful, but they were almost all just a bite.
On the wall opposite the buffet was a drink station with freshly brewed Illy coffee and tea.
United Polaris Lounge coffee & drink station
However, at the bar you can order a freshly made cappuccino, americano, latte, etc. I love the fact that they have espresso based drinks made fresh, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen before in a US airline lounge (even American’s Flagship First Dining doesn’t have this). Yum!
United Polaris Lounge Illy cappuccino
Later in the morning they switched from breakfast to lunch. I’ll let the pictures of that speak mostly for themselves.
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
Again, the lounge seems to have a love affair with these little skillet things, which is a cute concept.
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
United Polaris Lounge lunch dessert
United Polaris Lounge Chicago sit-down dining
In addition to the buffet, the lounge has a dozen tables where you can have an a la carte meal. I was shocked by how few people chose to partake in this. The servers working this area were actively trying to get people to eat here. As people would walk by they’d say “do you want to have breakfast or lunch? We have a whole menu.” But almost no one took them up on it, and I never saw more than half of the tables full, even when the lounge was otherwise packed.
This is totally puzzling to me. Do people think there’s a catch, that there’s a cost to it, or something? Given that the buffet selection isn’t otherwise huge, I was surprised.
Anyway, upon sitting down I was welcomed by Carly, who would be taking care of me. She presented me with a menu and a drink list on a cool wooden board.
United Polaris Lounge menu
The drink list read as follows:
The breakfast menu read as follows:
The lunch and dinner menu read as follows:
United Polaris Lounge lunch buffet
Kudos to United for a very impressive drink list. While Veuve isn’t my favorite champagne, it’s certainly not cheap, so I was surprised they had that. Carly informed me that the soup of the day was chicken gumbo.
I placed my order a few minutes after sitting down.
To drink I ordered the “bubbles & yellow jacket” cocktail. Is there anyway to order that without sounding super pretentious?
United Polaris Lounge — bubbles & yellow jacket cocktail
For the starter I ordered the seared tuna tataki, with mizuna greens, pickled carrot and daikon, and ponzu dressing.
United Polaris Lounge sit-down dining — seared tuna tataki
YUM! The dish was tiny, but delicious, and beautifully presented.
United Polaris Lounge sit-down dining — seared tuna tataki
For the main course I ordered the shrimp and grits with crispy okra and tomato stew (I asked for it without the ham). Once again, the dish was excellent.
United Polaris Lounge sit-down dining — shrimp and grits
To finish off the meal I ordered the warm croissant bread pudding per Carly’s suggestion, which came with a bourbon cream anglaise. It was unbelievably good. It took a lot of restraint not to lick the mini-pan it was served in.
United Polaris Lounge sit-down dining — warm croissant bread pudding
What a fantastic dining experience. I couldn’t believe I was in a business class lounge operated by a US airline. While it didn’t have as relaxed of an ambiance as American’s Flagship First Dining, the food quality and service was just as good, in my opinion.
United Polaris Lounge bottom line
United’s new Polaris Lounge really impressed me. There were parts that exceeded my expectations, but also some areas for improvement.
What impressed me most was the sit-down dining experience, which was surprisingly under-utilized. The food was exceptional, and it’s great to see such an experience available to business class passengers traveling on a US airline. In terms of other impressive features, I loved the freshly made espresso beverages, the individual bathrooms, the extensive wine and cocktail selection, and the daybeds.
What disappointed me somewhat was the buffet selection. While the food was nicely presented, the portions were tiny, and the selection wasn’t that great. American’s Flagship Lounges have a significantly better selection of food available at their buffet, though at the same time they don’t have the sit-down dining option.
The other issue is that the lounge got really crowded. While it was fairly quiet until about 11AM, it really filled up then, and I imagine it only gets fuller in the afternoons, before all the flights to Europe. Fortunately United is in the process of expanding the lounge, though I have to wonder if a few thousand extra square feet will make much of a difference.
The last issue is the pace at which United is opening these lounges. They’ve had huge delays, and it’ll probably be the middle of next year before the next Polaris Lounge opens, meaning it’ll be at least 18 months between two openings. American, on the other hand, opened their first Flagship Lounge in May, and will have four open before the end of the year.
All things considered, United’s Polaris Lounge is a winner. I was really impressed. I had heard that they’ve done a lot of cost cutting in the lounge, but if so, I certainly didn’t notice it (unless the buffet used to be better). This definitely ranks near the top of best airport lounges in the US, for me.
If you’ve visited United’s Polaris Lounge, what was your experience like?
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