Review: United Club at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

…Small lounge with the basics…nothing more

Reflecting Philadelphia’s relative importance – or lack of it – to United, this small lounge provides the basics that travelers might expect. However, this lounge remains best for those who need a place to check some emails or have a light snack and drink before their flight. The best thing might be the old-fashioned wood-paneled bar.

The summary

With two large east coast hubs at Newark and Dulles within driving distance and Philadelphia being a hub for American Airlines, it should not be a surprise that the United Club at PHL is rather small. The lounge is in a corridor between the C gates and the D gates, the latter of which United flights depart from.

After the unremarkable entry, travelers come across the reception desk. After presenting your credentials, you can go right or left. One thing United travelers will notice: this club is very dated and never even went through the 2010s renovation. It would have been welcome. To the left is a seating area with basic lounge seating and a couple of round tables. There were some nice framed photographs – but nothing that evokes Philadelphia.

Immediately behind reception, is the soft drink/water/coffee station and, across from that, the very small buffet. Set up for lunch, there was a very small salad station, some fruit and cheese, crackers, small wraps, a nice looking beef dish (meatballs), and soup. That’s it.

To the right of reception is more seating with a hi-top communal table, other round tables, and the same style of lounge seating that was on the left. Unfortunately, a ventilation pipe marred what is otherwise a featureless area.

Further to the right is the bar, which is probably the most interesting feature of the lounge. It has a sort of old Philadelphia vibe, with all the wood paneling. Like all United Clubs – there is a charge for premium drinks There are also a couple of tables in the bar area. Further past the bar, is the corridor to the washrooms (very small). The end of this corridor is a bust of Benjamin Franklin – which gives the lounge a bit of local character.

Internet access is free and fast, and like all United Clubs, outlets were easy to find. The staff worked hard to keep the lounge tidy. This is not a lounge that I would arrive early for. It’s best for United flyers who want a coffee, soft drink and to catch up on some emails.

The wrap:

…The details. Date – May 7, 2025. Rating: Pass on it. Access: United Club member

..What I like: The wood-paneled bar, Ben Franklin, the meatballs

..What I don’t like: The otherwise dated décor, the limited buffet, the ventilation pipe.