United takes its lounges to the next level with the United Polaris Reimagined Lounge
The updated space now offers more than 350 seats, a larger private dining room with 50 seats, a second bar, and tableware and decor by Crate & Barrel, the company's first collaboration with an airline
United opened its newly renovated and expanded United Polaris Lounge at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, offering travelers more space, a modern design, and elevated amenities. United's Polaris Lounge in Chicago is now 50% larger and features nearly 25,000 square feet of space, including more than 350 seats for travelers, 50 seats in a larger dining area, a second bar, six additional restrooms, private spaces for relaxing or working, and a curated product range with Crate & Barrel—the first and only airline collaboration for the whole-home retailer.
United was the first U.S. airline to debut a premium lounge exclusively for international business class travelers with the launch of the United Polaris Lounge in 2016 and currently has six of them in the United States, more than any other U.S. airline.
“Our expansive international network is one of United’s unique strengths, and our United Polaris lounges help business class travelers feel at home before or after their long-haul flights,” said Aaron McMillan, United’s managing director of hospitality programs. “Customers are going to love our new Chicago lounge because it offers more of the things they enjoy most—more space, more amenities, and more dining options. We will carry this new, elevated design into future lounge openings and renovations across our United Polaris lounge portfolio.”
The reopening of the United Polaris lounge in Chicago marks the airline's latest investment in its club and lounge network. Since 2022, United has opened or renovated a total of nine United Clubs SM across its system, including the recent opening of United Club Fly in Houston. In 2025, the airline will open a new dining room in the United Polaris lounge in Newark and a renovated and expanded United Club in Denver's Terminal B West, completing its plan to redesign all United Clubs in Denver. Internationally, United plans to reopen the United Club in Hong Kong. In 2026, United will open a new United Club in San Francisco and its largest-ever United Club in Houston.
More food and drink options
With the addition of a second bar in the newly renovated United Polaris Lounge, United is the first and only U.S. airline to offer two full-service bars in a business-class lounge. There are now more than 25 bar seats with the option to carry a drink to another seating area and a menu of premium spirits, premium wines, non-alcoholic beverages, and more. The new second bar is a speakeasy-style space with a selection of premium wines and Champagne, such as Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut, and Chicago-inspired cocktails, such as the Second City Sour, featuring Rittenhouse Rye, Malort, lemon, egg white, and Lingua Franca Pinot Noir.
The renovated lounge also features a larger dining area, with more than 50 seats—almost triple the number—where travelers can order à la carte meals with premium food and beverages, including ham and Parmesan crostini, shrimp, scallops, spring vegetable risotto, and Aperol Spritz cake.
In addition to à la carte dining, guests can enjoy a hot buffet with breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus, a mezze station featuring whipped ricotta with lemon honey, flatbreads, and more, and snacks served at both bars, including premium nuts, Mediterranean olives, and a charcuterie board.
Chicago-inspired design and decor by Crate & Barrel
Inspired by the local region, the renovated United Polaris lounge reflects the Chicago area by celebrating the city's unique architecture and geography. United collaborated with Johalla Projects, a Chicago-based art curatorial collective, to showcase works by nine Chicago artists in a series of pieces—including printed photographs, paintings, collages, and more—that highlight the region.
To elevate the dining experience, tableware and decor are by Crate & Barrel.
In Chicago-based Crate & Barrel's first collaboration with an airline, United worked with the retailer's internal design and sales teams to select timeless pieces that elevate the traveler experience.
From Crate & Barrel's classic Marin dinnerware and new Tuscan Marble collection, to the retailer's exclusive Le Creuset colors, every detail was chosen to enhance both form and function.
United's Continued Investment in Clubs and Lounges United is the world's largest airline* with the most extensive international network, offering approximately 500 daily flights to and from 150 international destinations for travelers around the world. As part of the airline's commitment to growing its network and bringing travelers to new destinations, United is investing in the renovation and expansion of its portfolio of United Club locations and United Polaris lounges.
United is Chicago's Hometown Airline®, a central hub for nonstop connections around the world. As demand for international travel continues to grow in Chicago, customers can enjoy the enhanced United Polaris Lounge when traveling nonstop to 15 destinations in Europe, as well as nonstop to Asia and South America—continents where United offers the only U.S. airline service. With the continued interest and
future growth in long-haul flying, United's renovated Polaris Lounge offers travelers a premium experience to refresh and refuel before or after their flight.
United's Polaris Lounge in Chicago is located in Terminal 1 near Gate C18 and is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. CT. International customers traveling on United Polaris and in Star Alliance premium cabins can access the United Polaris Lounge.
Fuente: United.