Reimagined United Polaris® Lounge Opens in Chicago with 50% More Space and Crate & Barrel Decor

Rhea-AI Summary

United Airlines has unveiled its renovated and expanded United Polaris lounge at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, marking a significant upgrade to its premium travel offerings. The reimagined space is now 50% larger, spanning nearly 25,000 sq.-ft. with over 350 seats and features a collaboration with Crate & Barrel for decor and dinnerware.

Key enhancements include a larger 50-seat private dining room, a second full-service bar (making United the first U.S. airline with dual bars in a business class lounge), and expanded amenities. The lounge showcases Chicago-inspired design elements and artwork from nine local artists. Located in Terminal 1 near gate C18, it serves travelers on United's nonstop routes to 15 European destinations, plus exclusive U.S. carrier service to Asia and South America.

This renovation is part of United's broader investment in its lounge portfolio, with plans for future expansions in Newark, Denver, Hong Kong, San Francisco, and Houston through 2026.

Positive

• 50% expansion of Chicago O'Hare Polaris lounge to 25,000 sq-ft demonstrates significant infrastructure investment
• First U.S. airline to offer two full-service bars in business class lounge, indicating competitive advantage
• Expansion of international network with 500 daily flights to 150 international destinations
• Strategic partnership with Crate & Barrel enhances premium service offering
• Ongoing expansion of lounge network with 9 United Club locations renovated/opened since 2022
• Planned openings of new lounges in Newark, Denver, Hong Kong, San Francisco, and Houston through 2026 shows continued growth

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aviation Industry Analyst

United's premium lounge expansion strategically enhances its high-margin international business offering without clear direct financial impact.

United's 50% expansion of its Chicago Polaris lounge represents a calculated investment in its premium travel segment. The renovation to nearly 25,000 square feet with over 350 seats strengthens United's competitive position in the high-margin international business class market, where passenger experience significantly influences carrier selection.

The timing aligns with the continued recovery and growth of international travel post-pandemic. United's explicit positioning as "the world's largest airline with the most extensive international network" underscores the strategic importance of O'Hare as an international gateway, connecting to 15 European destinations plus exclusive U.S. carrier service to parts of Asia and South America.

This renovation isn't isolated but part of a systematic lounge improvement strategy that includes nine United Club locations opened or renovated since 2022, with additional locations planned through 2026. United maintains its first-mover advantage from 2016 as the first U.S. airline with dedicated premium international lounges, now operating six locations – more than any competitor.

The Crate & Barrel partnership represents an innovative approach to differentiation in the premium travel space. As the Chicago-based retailer's first-ever airline collaboration, this relationship creates a distinctive aesthetic experience that could appeal to high-value business travelers who drive disproportionate revenue.

While the direct financial implications remain unquantified, these strategic investments typically enhance loyalty among the airline's most profitable customer segments and potentially justify premium pricing in competitive international markets.

The updated space now offers more than 350 seats, a larger 50-seat private dining room, a second bar, and dinnerware and decor curated by Crate & Barrel – the company's first collaboration with an airline

United was the first U.S. airline to open a dedicated premium lounge for international business class passengers in 2016, and the upgrades to its Chicago location reflect the airline's continued investments in O'Hare International Airport and in its overall airport lounge portfolio

CHICAGO, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- United today 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. The United Polaris lounge in Chicago is now 50% larger and features nearly 25,000 sq.-ft. of lounge space, including more than 350 seats for travelers, 50 seats across a larger dining space, a second bar, six additional restrooms, private spaces for relaxation or work, and a range of products curated along 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 U.S. – more than any other U.S. airline.

"Our vast international network is one of United's unique strengths, and our United Polaris lounges help set the tone for business class travelers 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 gives them more of all of the things they want most—more space, more amenities, and more dining options—and we'll 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 network of clubs and lounges. Since 2022, United has opened or renovated a total of nine United Club^SM  locations 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 B West Terminal, which will complete its plan to redesign every United Club at 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 Dining and Beverage 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 an option to takeaway a drink to another seating area and a menu of top-shelf liquor, premium wines, non-alcoholic beverages and more. The new, second bar is a speakeasy-style space with a selection of premium wine and champagne options, such as Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut, and Chicago-inspired cocktails, including 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 – nearly tripling the amount of dining seats – where travelers can order à la carte meals with curated premium food and beverages, including Prosciutto Parmigiano Crostini, Shrimp, Scallop, Spring Vegetable Risotto and Aperol Spritz cake.

In addition to a la carte dining, customers can enjoy a hot buffet with breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, mezze station with lemon honey whipped ricotta, flatbreads and more, and snacks served at both bars like premium nuts, mediterranean olives and a charcuterie board.

Chicago-Inspired Design and Decor from Crate & Barrel

Inspired by the local region, the renovated United Polaris lounge reflects the Chicago area by celebrating the city's architecture and unique geography. United worked with Johalla Projects, an art curatorial collective in Chicago, to showcase artwork from nine Chicago-based artists on a range of pieces, including print photography, paintings, collages and more that highlight the region.

To elevate the lounge experience, dinnerware and decor is provided by Crate & Barrel. Marking Chicago-based Crate & Barrel's first-ever collaboration with an airline, United worked with the retailer's in-house design and business sales teams to curate timeless pieces that elevate the traveler experience. From Crate & Barrel's classic Marin dinnerware and new Tuscan Marble collection, to colors of Le Creuset that are exclusive to the retailer, 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 grow its network and bring travelers to new destinations, United is investing in renovating and expanding its portfolio of United Club locations and United Polaris lounges.

United is Chicago's Hometown Airline^®, a central hub for nonstop connections across the globe. As demand for international travel continues to grow in Chicago, customers can enjoy the upgraded 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. carrier service. With the continued interest and future growth of long haul flying, the revamped United Polaris lounge provides a premium experience for travelers to refresh and refuel before or after their flight.

The United Polaris lounge in Chicago is located in Terminal 1 near gate C18, and it's open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT daily. International customers traveling in United Polaris and premium Star Alliance cabins can access the United Polaris lounge at locations in Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., New York/Newark, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

For more information on United Polaris lounge portfolio, visit united.com. 

*As measured by available seat miles

About United

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL". 

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reimagined-united-polaris-lounge-opens-in-chicago-with-50-more-space-and-crate--barrel-decor-302440452.html

SOURCE United Airlines

FAQ

What new features does United Airlines (UAL) Polaris Lounge in Chicago offer after renovation?

The renovated Chicago Polaris Lounge is 50% larger (25,000 sq-ft), featuring over 350 seats, a 50-seat dining room, two full-service bars, six additional restrooms, and exclusive Crate & Barrel decor. It's the first airline lounge in the U.S. to offer dual full-service bars.

Where is the United Polaris Lounge located at Chicago O'Hare and what are its hours?

The United Polaris Lounge is located in Terminal 1 near gate C18 at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. It operates daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. CT.

How many United Polaris Lounges does UAL operate in 2025?

United Airlines operates six Polaris Lounges across the U.S. - more than any other U.S. airline - with locations in Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., New York/Newark, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

What dining options are available at United's new Chicago Polaris Lounge?

The lounge offers à la carte dining with premium menu items, a hot buffet serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a mezze station, and two full-service bars serving premium wines, cocktails, and snacks including a Chicago-inspired Second City Sour cocktail.

Who can access United Airlines Polaris Lounges in 2025?

Access is available to international customers traveling in United Polaris and premium Star Alliance cabins.