The United Club in Terminal 1 at O’Hare, by gate B18, is what I consider the overflow lounge in the B concourse at the airport. It’s a small L-shaped lounge that is notable for being on ground level and that you actually have to descend into. What’s not notable is the décor, the same mid-2010s motif United flyers are used to.
The summary
The lounge is in Terminal 1, near gate B18. After presenting your credentials at the manned reception desk, lounge patrons immediately take an escalator down to ground level. You immediately encounter a customer service desk, some blue egg style chairs, and awesome vintage United photo – all of this is common to United Clubs. On the immediate right are two private “phone rooms” that are really mini-offices. That’s where I am (will see if they enforce the 30 minute time limit).
Immediately to the left, you will enter the main part of the lounge. The lounge is really just shaped like an “L”. It starts with the buffet, and at breakfast there were eggs, potatoes, sausages, fruits, breads, cereal and pastries. For drinks, there was an espresso machine and coffee urns.
It all looks and is so familiar. United in the mid-2010s desired uniformity in its lounge design. This lounge exemplifies it with beiges, faux marble, clean lines, etc. The main seating area after the buffet is a combination of typical lounge chairs, communal hi-top tables, and more blue chairs. The wall of this area is frosted over – so you can’t have a view of the lovely terminal access roads. This section ends at the bar.
There is nothing unusual about the bar. It looks like all the other United Club bars of this iteration. With the typical chandeliers and a nice selection of alcoholic drinks. I had a Virgin Mary this morning – nice and spicy. The bartender was very friendly.
To the right of the bar is the rest of the lounge. It looks just like the other part of the “L”. This is where the washrooms are. There is another amazing vintage photograph.
And that’s it! Being United and in Chicago, this lounge can get exceedingly busy and crowded – given its small size. I would only recommend it if you are departing in one of the nearby gates. This lounge is nowhere near in terms of quality the club in the C concourse. However, it nails the basics: clean, outlets everywhere, and enough for a very light meal.
The wrap
…The details. Date – May 8, 2025. Rating: Get’s the job done. Access: United club membership
..What I like: The phone room, the friendly staff.
..What I don’t like: Potential crowds, and a tired décor.
Avid traveler/lounge aficionado, who looks to maximize the fun while traveling. The journey can be as fun as the destination!
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