United Airlines has announced the temporary closure of its Polaris Lounge at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) for renovation and expansion. The lounge, located in Concourse C, will remain closed for several months as it undergoes significant changes to accommodate more passengers.
The renovation plan, first revealed in an internal memo in August, aims to address overcrowding issues that have affected the lounge since its opening in 2016. Originally covering approximately 16,000 square feet, the expanded space will increase by over 50%, reaching nearly 25,000 square feet. United plans to double the seating capacity and introduce new amenities based on customer feedback.
A spokesperson for United confirmed that the remodeled lounge would include "premium" spaces, additional restrooms, private seating areas, and workspaces. Despite these upgrades, no visual renderings or drawings have been released yet.