Polaris at O’Hare

United Airlines is currently underway upgrading its fleet as well as several lounges to its Polaris product. Chicago’s O’Hare airport was the first to get the rockstar treatment

Back when United unveiled Polaris, its premium cabin overhaul, it also pledged to update several of their business class lounges to Polaris quality. Initially, nine locations around the world were earmarked for an upgrade that includes custom-designed chairs, private daybeds, spa-like showers, art installations and hot meals served in a restaurant setting.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport was the first lounge to reopen with the new look, and it does not disappoint.

In practice, the lounge was more like a hotel lobby with the same level of customer service. The spacious yet informal setting has a salad bar and a selection of hot dishes which makes for a very relaxing time, particularly if you don’t want to interact with anyone, but the option to dine at a table with linens and a menu of delicious dishes - including shrimp grits - which means you can make your time more formal if you wish.

Also on offer were a good range of drinks at the large bar, from a range of wines (Champagne included, a favourite at LOL) as well as cocktails and craft beers.

Another great feature of the Polaris lounge are the day beds and shower rooms. While there aren’t a huge number of each, we visited at a busy time and there were still rooms and beds available, so it would appear as if United got it right.

For now, Chicago is the only United Lounge to have been overhauled, but the rest - Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington Dulles, Tokyo Narita, Hong Kong and London Heathrow - are all planned for 2018.

To keep up to date with when the lounges are scheduled to open, you can use United’s Polaris Tracker here

Photo credit: United Airlines

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