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Travel can be hectic, so finding peace and quiet when going through an airport can feel like a real treat. If you're flying Polaris business class with United Airlines — or in a premium cabin on a Star Alliance member airline — it's worth checking whether you'll be able to access one of the airline's most premium lounges. This Polaris Lounge guide can help you find out if you can get in.
What are United Airlines Polaris Lounges?
Much like other competitor airlines, United operates a two-tiered system of lounges. One for premium cabin passengers on select routes, United Club members, those with a one-entry pass and even eligible Star Gold members. United bills these lounges as its ‘standard club offering.' If you've ever spent any time in a United Club lounge, you'd agree that — even if a nice secluded respite from the boarding areas — they're rather standard.
But the airline reserves a much more exclusive and premium offering for its long-haul international flyers aboard United Polaris business class cabins or other premium cabins on Star Alliance partners. Although there aren't many around, these Polaris lounges offer much nicer amenities like showers, private day beds to catch some Zs, as well as a chance to grab a bite to eat, whether as a quick visit to the buffet or a sit-down meal at a more private dining space.
This is a great idea on paper and the dining menus do sound stellar. However, in my personal experience, the food quality can be hit or miss depending on the time of day or lounge location.
United Airlines Polaris Lounge Locations
United Airlines Polaris Lounges are primarily located in hubs and focus airports for the airline, as they're usually reserved for its most premium passengers. That means you will not run into any of these exclusive areas at a regional airport, or even large airports where United does not exert any kind of dominance. While there are more than 45 United Club locations, there are only six Polaris Lounges.
- Chicago O'Hare (ORD):
- Location: Concourse C, near Gate C18
- Houston Intercontinental (IAH)
- Location: Terminal E, between the United Club and Gate E12
- Los Angeles (LAX):
- Location: Terminal 7, between Gates 73 and 75A
- Newark (EWR):
- Location: Terminal C, after security screening between Gates C102 and C120
- San Francisco (SFO):
- Location: International Terminal, across from the security checkpoint near the G gates
- Washington Dulles (IAD):
- Location: Midfield Terminal, Concourse C, near Gate C17
There's also an arrivals lounge at London-Heathrow (LHR) exclusively for United Polaris business class passengers, which is located immediately after customs and immigration. While it's not a full-blown Polaris Lounge, it does offer many of the same amenities like showers and free breakfast.
For specific operating hours of each lounge — which vary based on arriving and departing United flights with Polaris service — your best resource for up-to-date information will always be United's website.
Plan your connection to access Polaris Lounges
If you're flying United or a Star Alliance partner airline on a long-haul international route, plan your connection through any of the above airports — and allocate a long enough layover — so you can visit a Polaris Lounge. Otherwise, there will likely be a United Club location at most other airports you would connect at.
How to Access United Airlines Polaris Lounges
Not every business class ticket on United Airlines will proverbially open doors to a Polaris Lounge. You need to be flying on a qualifying ticket.
The following premium cabin passengers can get into a United Polaris Lounge:
- United Polaris-branded business class tickets (on departure, connecting, and on arrival)
- Star Alliance partner business or first class tickets on a long-haul international route (on departure only)
Those flying international long-haul first class on Star Alliance partners can bring one guest along, but no guesting privileges are extended to United Polaris or Star Alliance business class flyers.
Do United status holders get access to Polaris Lounges?
Unfortunately for those holding top tier elite status with United or any of its partner airlines, status alone won't get you in the door at any of these Polaris Lounge locations. You must be flying on a qualifying ticket to access these premium lounges.
Can you pay to get into a United Polaris Lounge?
Unlike United Club locations, United does not offer an option to access Polaris Lounges via a paid day pass.
Can you access a Polaris Lounge on arrival?
If you have access to a Polaris Lounge via a United Polaris business class ticket, you'll be able to do so upon departing, connecting or on arrival. This means that if you're connecting from Seattle to Houston and continuing on to Buenos Aires in Polaris business class, you'll have access to the Polaris Lounge in Houston as well as United Club in Seattle.
Keep in mind that, since all Polaris Lounges are past security, the only way to access on arrival is after clearing immigration in another domestic airport. For example, flying Polaris business class into Newark and continuing on to Houston, you would be able to visit both Polaris Lounges at Newark and then Houston on arrival.
Bottom Line
If you are planning on booking yourself a flight in United Airlines Polaris business class or international first or business class on a Star Alliance member airline, it's worth checking whether your ticket will qualify you for access to a Polaris Lounge. If so, you may be able to play around with your booking to try to depart, connect, or arrive at an airport with one of these exclusive lounges so you can enjoy the premium experience as part of your flight.
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