United Airlines has opened its newly renovated United Polaris lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The lounge has been expanded to offer travelers more space. It features a modern design and elevated amenities.
The updated space now has over 350 seats and a private dining room for 50. It also features a second bar. The dinnerware and decor are from Crate & Barrel, marking the first collaboration between the company and an airline.
United Airlines was the first U.S. airline to launch a premium lounge for international business class passengers in 2016. The improvements to its Chicago location are part of the airline’s ongoing investment in Chicago O’Hare International Airport. They also prove its commitment to enhancing its lounge network.
The United Polaris lounge in Chicago is now 50% larger and features nearly 25,000 sq.-ft. of lounge space. It includes more than 350 seats for travelers and 50 seats across a larger dining space. There is also a second bar. The lounge has six more restrooms and private spaces for relaxation or work. A range of products is curated along with Crate & Barrel. This is 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. The airline launched the United Polaris lounge in 2016 and has six of them in the U.S. – more than any other U.S. carrier.
“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.”
Chicago Is The Latest In An Ongoing Lounge Innovation Program
Since 2022, United Airlines has opened or renovated a total of nine United ClubSM locations across its system. This includes 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. It will also renovate and expand the United Club in Denver’s B West Terminal—the last step in its plan to redesign every United Club at Denver. Internationally, United plans to reopen the United Club in Hong Kong. In 2026, United Airlines 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 has set a new standard. It 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. You can choose to takeaway a drink to another seating area. The menu includes top-shelf liquor, premium wines, non-alcoholic beverages, and more. The new, second bar is a speakeasy-style space. It offers premium wine and champagne options, including Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut. You can enjoy Chicago-inspired cocktails like the Second City Sour. This cocktail features Rittenhouse Rye, Malort, Lemon, Egg White, and Lingua Franca Pinot Noir.
The renovated lounge features a larger dining area with more than 50 seats. This nearly triples the amount of dining seats available. Travelers can order à la carte meals with curated premium food and beverages. Dishes include 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. There is a mezze station with lemon honey whipped ricotta, flatbreads, and more. Snacks are served at both bars like premium nuts, Mediterranean olives, and a charcuterie board.
Chicago-Inspired Design And Decor From Crate & Barrel
The renovated United Polaris lounge is inspired by the local region. It reflects the Chicago area by celebrating the city’s architecture and unique geography. United collaborated with Johalla Projects, an art curatorial collective in Chicago. They showcased artwork from nine Chicago-based artists on various pieces. These include print photography, paintings, collages, and more that highlight the region.
To elevate the lounge experience, dinnerware and decor is provided by Crate & Barrel. This marks Chicago-based Crate & Barrel’s first-ever collaboration with an airline. United worked with the retailer’s in-house design team. They also collaborated with the business sales teams to curate timeless pieces that elevate the traveler experience. Crate & Barrel’s classic Marin dinnerware and new Tuscan Marble collection are included. The colors of Le Creuset are exclusive to the retailer. Every detail was chosen to enhance both form and function.
United’s Continued Investment In Clubs And Lounges
United offers approximately 500 daily flights to and from 150 international destinations. 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. International travel demand continues to grow in Chicago. Customers can enjoy the upgraded United Polaris lounge when traveling nonstop to 15 destinations in Europe. They can also travel nonstop to Asia and South America. United is the only U.S. carrier offering service to these continents. With the continued interest in long haul flying, the growth in this sector is anticipated. The revamped United Polaris lounge provides a premium experience. It allows 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 have access to the United Polaris lounge. They can visit these lounges at locations in Chicago, Houston, Washington D.C., New York/Newark, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
