I had the chance to visit the brand new United Airlines Polaris Lounge in Washington Dulles (IAD) yesterday ahead of its public opening tomorrow, October 21, 2021. Put simply, the space is stunningly gorgeous and this new lounge will be a great perk to international business class flyers from Washington Dulles.
First Look: United Airlines Polaris Lounge Washington (IAD)
For this post, I’ve selected 30 of my favorite photos from the lounge.
Some thoughts:
I love the beauty of this 21,000 square foot lounge: the natural light, the artwork by local artist Maggie O’Neill of America’s capital city, and the touches like the library and wainscoting on the ceiling of the bar.
You’ll see familiar features, including:
- Dining room with a la carte dining (42 seats)
- Buffet with individually-portioned dishes
- Bar area with unique cocktail menu
- Relaxation room
- Shower suites
- Individual restrooms
- Tarmac views
There’s nothing “temporary” about this lounge right next to gate C18, in the middle of United’s “temporary” terminal in Washington Dulles. I’d view this lounge as a good indicator that United is not going anywhere anytime soon when it comes to its greater terminal strategy at IAD.
Access to this lounge will be reserved exclusively for international longhaul business and first class customers on United or on a Star Alliance carrier. If you are traveling in business class, no guests will be permitted. From IAD, that includes a number of carriers that operate out of Terminal B including ANA, Austrian, Ethiopian, EgyptAir, and Lufthansa. Access upon arrival of your international flight is only for United Airlines Polaris passengers. Frequent flyer status does not come into play in terms of access to this lounge.
Later this week, I’ll post a more detailed review of this lounge with even more pictures and commentary. For now, though, I can confidently say this lounge is beautiful and a great addition to the United lounge portfolio.
Looks great, but the complete lack of *G access seems really mean. I could almost understand if the lounge was exclusive to UA pax, but it makes no sense to allow access to someone with no status on an $800 Egyptair special while a *G on a full-fare premium economy ticket on LH costing 3-4 times as much can’t get in.
You know perfectly well that most folks aren’t paying full price for LH premium economy!
Trying to keep this lounge exclusive means limiting the Star Alliance gold. Letting them in would result in severe overcrowding.
As Premium Economy is a relatively recent addition to the industry, it doesn’t come with the historical baggage of endorsable fares like Y and C, and connecting flights are in the back of the bus, so you often only have 3-4 fare buckets for premium economy- nothing like the difference between deep discount Economy and full Y.
In any event, anyone flying on a LH ticket originating in Germany is likely to be paying pretty silly prices for it- it can easily be more than the ex-CDG business price. I think UA and co should’ve done a Skyteam for these lounges and allowed entry to *G on international itineraries.
Not sure if this was supposed to say indicator, but hilarious either way.
“I’d view this lounge as a good indictor that United is not going anywhere anytime soon when it comes to its greater terminal strategy at IAD.”
Crikey, you’re a legend mate!
Not a UAL fan, but credit where credit is due…that is a premium-looking lounge.
So I guess United can say for sure they have the best lounge now at Dulles?
It truly does.
So I guess United can finally say for sure they have the best lounge now at Dulles?
What about Denver? It looks like they are building something on concourse A, is that a Polaris lounge?
Seems like it is justified with 4 daily Polaris flights now with the new Munich flight, just as many as LA because I’m sure all 6 of LA’s former Polaris routes won’t return.
It’s a new club, but not a Polaris Lounge.
Good for UA! Long overdue but looking forward to using it. The best part is no more having to use the TK or LH lounges in in Concourse B, and then having to make the trek to C/D for your departure.
Same here. Equally looking forward to dining before getting on a UA flight and skipping the awful onboard Polaris dining. Will be interesting to compare it to the BA (late dining Club World or Concorde Room – admittedly First, so not the same thing, but better food and wines than the Polaris lounges I was in pre-COVID) and AF (late dining for the Affaires flights, and dining in the separate room for La Premiere) at IAD. Right now, though, probably won’t get to experience it until next year, assuming their prices are competitive.
Matthew were you able to get any intel on the EWR Polaris Lounge?
They told me no comment. Just 2021…sometime.
I like the tealight holder.
It’s beautiful. Here I come again with my shower question… will THESE showers be open or is showering in the US still a COVID risk? I am about ready to fly any carrier whose lounges have showers!
Everything will be open, including showers, dining, and buffet.
Well, this is wonderful for the high paying Polaris customers coming and going from IAD. Certainly agree that this place from the pics appears to be another universe from the decrepit United Clubs for the unwashed masses not to mention the overall hideous dump that is the United IAD concourse with gates C and D. Just wretched.
Agreed! Many United lounges resemble a hooker’s dark nether region and need to be avoided.
First time flying anything but economy. I have a layover at IAD for a flight from Huntsville, AL to a final destination of Krakow, Poland in September. I decided to book Polaris Business Class and assume that I have access while at IAD and on my return layover there from Zurich, Switzerland.
Completely newbie question, but is everything considered complimentary in the lounges (except gratuities of course)? Just didn’t know what to expect.
Hi Dan,
Are you flying United via Frankfurt to get to Krakow?
On the return, are you flying United from Zurich?
You’ll have access in both directions. All food and drinks are included and tipping is not expected (though also not turned away).
Enjoy your flight!
Yes, United Huntsville, AL to IAD, United IAD to Frankfut and then Lufthansa Frankfurt to Krakow. Later it will be Lufthansa to Munich, and lastly Zurich to IAD with United and IAD to Huntsville, AL with United as well. We love Eastern Europe and have been a few times. Just never ponied up the extra money for business class. Decided to spoil ourselves this time around.
That shower station will be a welcomed treat on the return trip with a 2 hour layover at IAD. I appreciate the information and review. Looking forward to the experience.