When you’re making connections in the Windy City, having a Chicago O’Hare International Airport lounge to relax in can make a big difference to your well-being.
Every terminal at Chicago O’Hare offers multiple airport lounges to choose from, some of which are tied to airlines operating out of that terminal. When you know you’ll be spending some time at the airport, choose from these well-appointed Chicago O’Hare International Airport lounges.
Terminal 1 Airport Lounges
United Airlines United Club, Chicago Airport
United Airlines offers three separate United Club lounges in Terminal 1, two in Concourse B (at Gates B18 and B6), and one in Concourse C. The Concourse B clubs are of moderate size—10,000 and 12,000 square feet—while the Concourse C club is enormous at 22,000 square feet.
In all three O’Hare United Clubs, you can enjoy hot meals, snacks, complimentary drinks at the bar, free Wi-Fi, computers with internet access, as well as newspapers and television viewing areas.
At the Concourse C location, shower facilities are also available to help you freshen up after a long flight. VIP members have access to a VIP lounge in the Concourse C United Club, as well as to a rooftop area with a bar.
United Club lounges are open to all United Club members. Anyone ticketed on United Airlines can typically purchase a one-day pass to use the clubs.
United Airlines Polaris Lounge
Long-haul first-class travelers on United Airlines flights out of Chicago have access to this premium club, as do other Star Alliance elite members with ticketed flights departing from O’Hare.
Star Alliance Gold members, however, will be redirected to one of the United Clubs.
Semi-private cubicles with charging stations and pull-out tables give you a sense of seclusion when you need to get some work done. If you’re feeling more social, head to the bar. Tip: f you’re a frequent visitor, you can even get a climate-controlled locker to store your own wine here. Buffet service is available, as is waiter-service dining, and you can enjoy made-to-order espressos and other coffee drinks.
When it’s time to freshen up, the Polaris Club offers daybeds (unfortunately without blankets) and very posh shower suites.
Terminal 2 Airport Lounges
USO Lounge
If you’re a member of the U.S. military, this lounge is especially for you and your family. Because it’s outside security, the family can stay together even if you’re the only one flying.
There’s plenty of entertainment available in this lounge, including a playroom for the kids, board games, and a quiet library area with plenty of reading materials. You can also enjoy movie rentals on a big-screen TV, or head to the kitchenette to make yourself a snack with the free food. Ground transportation assistance is also available.
Delta Sky Club, Chicago Airport
Between Gates E6 and E7 of Terminal 2, you’ll find the Delta Sky Club. Your Delta credit card or American Express Platinum card opens this airport lounge in Chicago up to you, or you can buy a day pass to give you access on a one-time basis. Delta Sky Club members and their guests may also enjoy the lounge.
This lounge is rather small so it can fill up, but there are cozy alcoves available if you need to work in quiet. A business center is also available if you need access to a printer. Expect to find continental breakfast, salad bars, and various snacks — as well as hot dogs (this is Chicago, after all).
United Airlines United Club
This Chicago O’Hare International airport lounge is basically a parallel to the United Clubs in Terminal 1. If you’re a United Club member flying out of Terminal 2, this lounge is the place for you.
Terminal 3 Airport Lounges
American Airlines Admirals Club
Stop in at the Admirals Clubs at Concourses G, H or L if you’re a ticketed passenger on American Airlines.
While the Concourse G Admirals Club is relatively small, it’s packed with electrical outlets, making it a good choice if you want to get work done or watch something from your own laptop. Printers are also available, as are basic snacks and continental breakfast, as well as coffee and standard liquor choices.
The Admirals Club between Concourses H and K is much larger, with great views of the tarmac, and you can host meeting rooms if you need to gather your team before you get on the plane. While there is food available for purchase, most of it is pre-packaged. Shower facilities are available at this lounge.
The Concourse L Admirals Club duplicates many of the services available at Concourse G, but it’s the only club with disabled access.
American Airlines Flagship Lounge
If you’re flying first class on American Airlines, or if you’re a Platinum Pro member or a oneworld Emerald or Sapphire member, head straight to this lounge, which takes up the entire second floor between Concourses H and K.
The buffet in the Flagship Lounge features a wide selection of cold cuts and salads, and the bar pours craft brews and top-shelf liquors. If you want to freshen up, you’ll enjoy the shower suites, which feature rainfall and handheld shower heads, along with high-end toiletries.
The lounge areas themselves include dedicated areas for TV watching and quiet relaxation, and Qi wireless chargers are available throughout the lounge.
Terminal 5 Airport Lounges
As Terminal 5 is the international terminal, you won’t be surprised to find lounges hosted by many international airlines here.
British Airways First and Terraces Lounges
This Chicago O’Hare International Airport lounge for first-class passengers is quite small, though it does have a nice view of the tarmac. Expect simple snacks and a small open bar. In the Terraces Lounge, the food is quite tasty and refined, though there’s no view. Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members and Cathay Pacific elite flyers may also take advantage of this lounge, and British Airways first-class passengers enjoy private boarding.
SWISS First and Business Lounges
It’s probably no surprise that first-class passengers on SWISS head to the First Lounge, and business-class passengers use the Business Lounge. Star Alliance Gold passengers and SWISS travelers with frequent flyer status can also stop in here. You’ll find workstations to help you get some work done, as well as a full buffet and liquor choices that include port and grappa. The design in these lounges is impressive, with wood imported from Switzerland.
SAS Lounge
Food choices are smart and interesting at this lounge, which feels like an ultra-stylish IKEA showroom. Use the iMacs at the workstations to connect to the internet. SAS and Asiana first-class and business-class passengers have access to this lounge, as do Star Alliance business-class passengers, Star Alliance Gold members, and Euro Bonus Gold members.
Swissport Lounge
This recently renovated lounge serves first-class and business-class passengers from Alitalia, Copa, Hainan Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic. Workstations are available for those with work to do, and a pleasant ambience with lots of plants helps you relax the moment you step inside. Other passengers may be able to buy a day pass to the lounge, depending on how busy things are.
Air France/KLM Lounge
Let’s talk about what’s really important: This Air France airport lounge, which feels like a VIP lounge in Chicago Airport, has a massage therapist on duty at all times. The food is also terrific (think macarons). This lounge may be branded for the use of Air France and KLM business-class passengers, but those from Aer Lingus, Aeromexico, Air India, Etihad Airways, Korean Air and Royal Jordanian Airlines have access to it as well.
Airport lounges aren’t the only way to enjoy sanity and serenity during your business trips. Book a reliable Blacklane car service for Chicago O’Hare Airport and relax from the start of your journey until you arrive back home. If you find yourself on a business trip in the windy city you can view our picks of Chicago’s best business hotels for you to make the most out of your business travel.
