what the United Airlines lounge experience is like in Chicago

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Reopened at the end of April 2025, after a period closed for renovation, the VIP Lounge is exclusive to United’s Polaris Class, First Class and Business Class passengers – the business cabin is available on all direct flights the airline operates in Brazil: from Guarulhos to Chicago, New York (Newark) and Washington DC, and from Guarulhos and Rio de Janeiro to Houston. The lounge is also open to premium class passengers of Star Alliance airlines, such as Air Canada, Air China, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Avianca, Copa Airlines, Lufthansa, South African Airways, Swiss, TAP and Turkish Airlines.

The renovation of the space has ensured a 50% increase in the total area, which now has approximately 2,300 square meters and more than 350 seats for users – some in colors and format similar to those found on board aircraft). The expansion also brought new work and relaxation spaces, as well as bathrooms. The shower corridor indeed has a dark ceiling, covered with many small points of light, reminiscent of a starry sky.

The renovation, carried out in partnership with the design firm Crate & Barrel, gave the place a more “Chicago” look, with lots of darker wood tones and a “speakeasy” feel – this is also the dominant note of the lounge’s second bar, recently created. In fact, it’s worth stopping at the counter and sampling the list of high-quality wines and sparkling wines, such as Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut champagne, and drinks, some exclusive, like the Second City Sour, made with Rittenhouse Rye whiskey, Malort, lemon, egg white and Lingua Franca Pinot Noir wine. All this without paying anything extra (except the bartender’s tip, after all, this is the United States).

When you’re hungry, just look for the buffet self-servicewhich has also been redesigned. Under elegant chandeliers, the food station always offers options for salads, hot dishes, snacks and treats, as well as drinks of all kinds. And if the flight is early, it might be worth changing breakfast from the hotel to the VIP room.

One of the highlights is the à la carte restaurant, which already existed before the renovation, but which has gained more places and can now accommodate up to 50 people at the same time. Travelers will find a menu of options for breakfast (until 11 a.m.), lunch and dinner, without paying anything extra. You can order a quick snack or a full service, with starter, main course and dessert.

Although limited, the menu is very varied and changes frequently. There are always vegan and vegetarian options, as well as meat, pasta, seafood, salads and treats (with two or three options). But one star can never leave the poster: the Signature Polaris Burger, with prime rib, smoked cheddar, iceberg lettuce and tomato. And if the customer wants, they can add rustic potatoes, applewood bacon (applewood smoked), caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms.

– A suggestion that I always give to everyone who comes there for the first time: order the burger. There is nothing as good at the airport, I guarantee it – jokes Christine Valls, United Airlines sales director for Latin America.

Investments in premium experiences

The Chicago Polaris Lounge is located in Terminal 1, near Gate C18, and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The company also has lounges in this same category in Houston, Washington DC, New York/Newark, San Francisco Los Angeles, as well as classic VIP lounges, called United Club, in more than 30 airports in the United States.

The renovation of the Chicago lounge is part of a series of investments by United in these types of experiences. Also in 2025, in June, the company opened a new restaurant at Polaris at Newark Airport, with 60 additional seats. For 2026, there are plans to open two new United Clubs, one in San Francisco and the other in Houston, this one being the largest of all the company’s VIP lounges. According to Christine Valls, these actions show that the company has invested to improve the passenger experience, on the ground or at more than ten thousand meters in the air:

– This is a very important type of service for us as a company. We know that passengers want to eat well and have a place to relax before a long flight, or during a connection, particularly internationally.

As an example of fleet improvement, she cites the renovation of the Boeing 787-9 model aircraft, with a new interior called Elevated. Among the biggest changes is the creation of Polaris Studios suites, an improvement over business class, with larger seats and more privacy.

Polaris Studios will occupy two front row seats in regular business class. Each will have a small door, separating the interior from the aisle, and a fully reclining bed 25% larger than the Business seats. The suites will also have different food and beverage options, as well as monitors with 4K screens.