- United Airlines' Polaris Lounges are some of the most luxurious airport spaces you'll find in the US, but they're not available to everyone.
- Only passengers flying long-haul international business class on United, or international first or business with certain partner airlines, get to use the lounges.
- Right now, there are only five locations, with more set to open in the next few years.
- I had the chance to check out the 27,000-square-foot Newark Airport Polaris Lounge before a recent flight, and I was blown away by how well executed the luxury concept is.
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United Airlines' Polaris Lounges are some of the fanciest spaces you'll find in US airports, and the airline even won the "best domestic premium lounge" award from luxury travel website The Points Guy.
But "fancy" usually also means "exclusive," and exclusive is exactly what these lounges are: Only those flying United's long-haul international business class, or business or first class on certain partner airlines, are allowed to use them. Even then, there are some restrictions, and most airports don't have these lounges yet.
There are currently only five locations - Chicago O'Hare, Houston Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Newark, and San Francisco - with more slated to open over the next few years.
I tried out the 27,000-square-foot Newark one, and it not only met expectations - it far exceeded them, from the atmosphere to the food and drinks at the buffet, restaurant, and bar, all of which were included in the price of the ticket. Keep reading to see what it was like.