United New Polaris Club at ORD (Chicago)

We recently took a European Vacation and purposely chose to make connections through Chicago in order to experience the New Polaris club (the first club opened under this new concept).

It seems United has been talking about Polaris for YEARS, but is only now implementing the promised changes.  We travel internationally for fun once or twice a year and United's clubs have gotten so crowded that it has become almost like sitting on the concourse, but with free snacks and drinks.  In many locations they are turning people away at the door because they're full, or they'll put up a sign that no passes are allowed (a supposed perk of one set of two passes in conjunction with their branded credit card is something we've enjoyed on our trips).

I was pleased that United announced just before our trip in April that they were restricting access to the Polaris lounge(s) to international ticketed passengers only (excluding Canada and Mexico).  So on this visit to the brand new Chicago Polaris club it brought the crowd down to - No crowd at all.

They had a screener standing OUTSIDE of the lounge to check boarding passes and keep lines from forming inside.  Once inside there is a desk with a few folks to help you with whatever you need.

We arrived at 10am from San Antonio and our flight didn't leave until early evening for the international flight to Europe so we had a good six hours at the club.  It gave us the opportunity to avail ourselves of every perk in the new facility.

Many of the seating spaces were arranged for quiet privacy:

Small single seat in Lounge

There was also general seating with a view of the flight line:

View of the adjacent gate from within the Polaris lounge

There was the traditional coffee bar found at most united lounges:

Most impressive was the hot food layout, all deliciously prepared and more extensive than traditional lounges:

They had a beautiful bar, with a long lounge adjacent that looked welcoming.

We had the opportunity to sit down and have a meal in their "mini restaurant" where you can order from a menu.  The food was good but not exceptional at the sit down service.

Seating for two in their mini restaurant booth, there were tables that would accommodate larger groups.

After a lunch meal we were able to move into a private area of the lounge where they have quiet rooms where you can take a nap.  There is an attendant at the front who was extremely friendly and personable with a great sense of humor.  She really set everyone at ease.   The attendant signs you in and escorts you to either Showers or the quiet area for a nap.  Each quiet room is equipped with a comfortable couch like bed, a pillow, blanket, some amenities like eye masks, etc and the ability to dim the lights so you an take a comfortable rest.

Rest area for naps and privacy

The showers were beautiful.  Large dressing area in a beautifully appointed private room and upscale soaps etc for a shower.  They have a two sided window where you can hang your clothes and the attendant will pick them up for pressing and return them for you to dress after your shower.

shower, big enough for two

So, we had breakfast, lunch AND Dinner before boarding, and a nap in the afternoon with a shower and change of clothes prior to the overnight flight.  Overall a superb, uplifting experience prior to boarding (and I'm sure upon returning, as well).  If all of the Polaris clubs are as well run and friendly as this one in Chicago then Kudos to United.

Our flight was one of the few remaining planes that United Flies internationally that still has 3 classes, first class, business class and coach.  We were lucky enough to be in the first class compartment and the seats and were superb.

The business class sections were not so desirable as they now have four seats across in BUSINESS class.  They call them the BENCH.  I have no idea which Genius thought that business class passengers would pay extra to sit in seats four across.  I noticed that on each flight we took with this configuration, those seats were rarely taken and remained available until just before take off.

Polaris (first class cabin)

Polaris Business Class - FOUR seats across - RIDICULOUS