United’s Chicago Polaris Lounge is currently closed for a major expansion

United Airlines will renovate and expand the Polaris Lounge at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), adding space to the first premium lounge the airline will open in its extensive network.

The hometown airline temporarily closed its ORD Polaris Lounge on Thursday. United is expanding and remodeling its lounge, and to do that they have to completely shut down the space for several months. United is expected to debut the fully completed lounge in the spring.

It’s no secret that airport lounges are very busy these days.

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While airlines have taken a number of different approaches, one of the best ways airlines and credit card issuers can handle the crowds is to expand their lounges – Assuming they can find more space.

Plans to overhaul the Chicago Polaris Lounge were first outlined in an internal memo that TPG viewed and confirmed with a carrier spokesperson in August. The lounge then partially closed ahead of the overhaul the whole thing, is happening now.

The Chicago Polaris Lounge in ORD’s Concourse C opened in 2016. It is approximately 16,000 square feet and has been frequently overcrowded during peak periods in recent years.

United said in a memo that the expansion and renovation will add more seats — including relaxation “premium” spaces — along with more restrooms and amenities like private seating. and workspace.

Once completed, the space will be nearly 25,000 square feet, a more than 50% increase in area. United said the number of seats will double. The airline promised to “deliver new spaces and amenities that reflect customer feedback”.

United hasn’t distributed any renderings or drawings of the revamped space, so we’ll have to wait until the expansion opens to understand the upgrades.

While the finished product will certainly be an improvement, the process of getting there certainly won’t be smooth.

During full concourse closures, Polaris passengers can visit any of four United Club locations at ORD (two in Concourse B, one in Concourse C and one in Concourse wait F).

The airline said all United Clubs at O’Hare will offer enhanced complimentary premium beverage options to Polaris customers. These will include key elements of the existing Polaris Lounge experience, such as Lanson Pere et Fils Brut champagne and The Prisoner Red Blend wine.

The Chicago Polaris Lounge became the airline’s first business class-only lounge when it opened in 2016. Since then, the airline has grown the Polaris Lounge network to five locations, including locations in Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Washington Airport Dulles International Airport (IAD).

The airline will too launches Polaris Lounge at Denver International Airport (DEN) in the coming years and expansion outpost at EWR.

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