2. American Airlines Flagship Lounge (Terminal 3)

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American’s Flagship Lounge in Terminal 3 (near gates H/K) is another elite lounge at O’Hare. It’s designed for international and transcontinental first/business class flyers and Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald elites. The Flagship Lounge provides upgraded amenities well above a standard Admirals Club: a buffet of hot meals, premium wines and champagne, a full bar with craft cocktails, shower suites, quiet work areas, and sometimes even spa-like extras or a flagship dining section (in some locations).

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At O’Hare, the Flagship Lounge is located by the H/K corridor in T3 and is open roughly 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily‍. It’s a spacious, modern lounge with plentiful seating (plush chairs, work stations) and enhanced dining options. Flying American or a Oneworld partner in a premium cabin will grant you entry, making it a haven for travelers before long flights.

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Access: You can access the AA Flagship Lounge if you are flying in First or Business Class on an international or eligible transcon flight (same-day ticket on AA or Oneworld partner). Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire elite members (e.g. BA Gold, AA Executive Platinum) also get access when flying on Oneworld airlines.

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Why It’s Great: The Flagship Lounge offers a serene retreat with higher-quality food and drink than typical U.S. airline lounges. It’s one of the best places at ORD to relax and dine well before an international flight on American or Oneworld partners.

3. Delta Sky Club (Terminal 5)

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Delta Air Lines moved to Terminal 5 at O’Hare and opened a brand-new Delta Sky Club in October 2022 – and it quickly became a favorite. The lounge spans ~22,000 square feet with seating for up to 400 guests. It boasts panoramic tarmac views, a stylish design, abundant power outlets, and an expansive buffet and bar.

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Notably, this Sky Club introduced a unique direct boarding feature: a dedicated boarding door to gate M11 allows passengers on select Delta flights (e.g. to New York-LaGuardia) to board the plane straight from the lounge‍. This means you can relax in the lounge until final boarding and walk directly onto the aircraft – a huge perk for those flights using that gate.

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Amenities at the Delta Sky Club include a self-serve buffet with hot and cold dishes (often including local favorites), a full service bar (even a wine bar, per Delta), showers, and plenty of comfortable seating zones (quiet areas, high-top work counters, and lounge chairs). The decor features modern touches, signature lighting, and even locally curated artwork. Since it’s new, everything feels clean and upscale, rivaling some international lounges.

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Access: Delta Sky Club access is available to Delta Sky Club members, Delta One (business class) passengers, and Delta’s elite tiers (Diamond Medallion with club access choice). here are no paid single-visit passes available at the door for Sky Club; you must have membership or an eligible card/ticket. If you have Amex Centurion Lounge access, note that O’Hare currently has no Centurion Lounge – Delta Sky Club is the top alternative for Amex Platinum holders at ORD.

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Why It’s Great: This lounge is brand new and spacious, with high-quality food and sleek decor. The direct boarding feature is a game-changer, letting you skip the gate crowds entirely. For Delta flyers, especially those with the right credit card, the Sky Club T5 is a fantastic oasis at O’Hare.

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4. United Club (Terminal 1 & 2)

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United Airlines operates several United Club locations at O’Hare, and while they are not as luxurious as Polaris, they still rank among the best lounges for domestic travelers. There are three United Clubs in Terminal 1 (Concourses B and C) and one in Terminal 2. The largest and newest United Club is in Terminal 1 Concourse C (near gate C10), featuring modern furnishings, lots of natural light, and improved snacks – it was expanded recently as part of the Polaris lounge upgrade.

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United Clubs offer complimentary bar service (house beer, wine, well drinks), light snacks (like salads, soups, cheese, and afternoon cookies), Wi-Fi, plenty of seating (loungers, cafe tables, work cubicles), and customer service desks for travel assistance. They lack the full meals of Polaris/Flagship, but they provide a quiet escape from the busy terminal.

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The United Club in Terminal 2 (Concourse F) is also notable if you’re in that area or flying United Express. All United Clubs at ORD have a similar amenity set, though some locations are larger than others. In 2023–2024 United refreshed some club spaces with more modern decor and even a new grab-and-go snack bar concept in certain clubs.

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Access: You can access United Clubs in a few ways:

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• United Club membership (available for purchase annually, or via the United Club Infinite Card which includes membership).

• Day Pass: United used to sell day passes for ~$59 via their app, but these are subject to availability and recently United has limited day pass usage during peak times. If you have two annual one-time passes from the United Explorer Card (a Chase credit card), you can use those at any United Club.

• Elite or Business Class: United Premier Gold (Star Alliance Gold) members get United Club access when flying internationally the same day (domestic-only itineraries no longer qualify for Gold lounge access on United). International business or first class on Star Alliance will also get you in (though those passengers often use Polaris if available).

• Credit Cards: The New United Club℠ Card gives full United Club membership (with guests) as long as you hold the card. The New United℠ Explorer Card provides two free United Club passes each year – a great perk for occasional lounge visits.

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Why It’s Great: United Clubs are conveniently located and offer a solid selection of beverages and Wi-Fi – a big step up from waiting at the gate. The newer club in Concourse C has great views of the tarmac and a refreshed interior. For travelers with a United Club card or pass, these lounges make layovers much more pleasant.

5. American Airlines Admirals Club (Terminal 3)

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American Airlines operates Admirals Club lounges at three locations in Terminal 3 (Concourses H/K, G, and L). While these are more basic than the Flagship Lounge, Admirals Clubs are still among O’Hare’s best lounges for frequent flyers. They provide a calm environment with comfortable seating, complimentary snacks, a full cash bar, Wi-Fi, business centers, and shower facilities at the H/K club. Each Admirals Club has front-desk staff to assist with travel needs and often a kids’ room or quiet zone as well. These lounges tend to be quieter and less crowded than the public gate areas.

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All three Admirals Clubs at ORD are open roughly 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (the H/K location opens earlier at 5 a.m. and closes later at 10 p.m.)‍. If one club is crowded, you can often walk to another in Terminal 3 since they are spread out by gate area (one near gate G8, one by L2, and the biggest by H6/K6). They recently increased the selection of for-purchase food items, so you can buy heartier meals or premium drinks if desired.

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Access: You can access Admirals Clubs via:

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• Admirals Club Membership – available for purchase annually (price varies by status level), or free if you hold the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. This credit card grants the primary cardholder full Admirals Club membership and also allows authorized users to access clubs.

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• One-Day Pass – You can buy a day pass for $79 at select locations. A one-day Admirals Club pass admits you (and up to 3 kids under 18) for the day. Keep in mind capacity controls – during peak times, day pass access can be restricted.

• Elite or Premium Ticket – Unlike United, American’s mid-tier elites do not get free Admirals access on purely domestic tickets. You either need membership or to be flying internationally. However, ConciergeKey elites do get Admirals Club access. First/Business class on a same-day Oneworld international flight will get you in as well.

• Credit Card – As mentioned, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card is the main lounge card for Admirals Club. Other general travel cards do not cover Admirals Clubs.

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Why It’s Great: Admirals Clubs may not have gourmet meals, but they consistently offer a quiet, cozy space with good Wi-Fi and an escape from the terminal frenzy. If you have the right credit card or a day pass, it’s a nice way to relax before a flight. The H/K Admirals Club even has showers and a fantastic view of the airfield from its floor-to-ceiling windows

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FAQs: Best O’Hare Lounges

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What is the best lounge at O’Hare Airport?

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The consensus “best” lounge at ORD is the United Polaris Lounge for international business class flyers – it offers luxury amenities like a la carte dining and craft cocktails. For those without access to Polaris, American’s Flagship Lounge (for Oneworld premium passengers) and the new Delta Sky Club in T5 are also top-notch in terms of food, drink, and comfort.

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Can I access O’Hare lounges with a credit card?

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Yes, certain credit cards grant lounge access. For example, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card gives you Admirals Club membership (entry to all Admirals Clubs). The United Club Infinite card gives United Club membership. An Amex Platinum card provides access to Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) and Priority Pass lounges – at O’Hare, Priority Pass gets you into the Swissport Lounge in T5. Always check the specific access rules of your card.

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Does O’Hare have Priority Pass lounges?

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A: Priority Pass membership has limited use at ORD. The airport has only one Priority Pass-affiliated lounge: the Swissport Lounge in Terminal 5. This is a small independent lounge primarily for international travelers. Priority Pass holders can access it regardless of airline, but note it’s in the international terminal (T5). Other lounges at O’Hare (United Club, Admirals Club, etc.) do not accept Priority Pass. O’Hare also lacks a Priority Pass restaurant option. So unless you’re flying out of T5, Priority Pass isn’t very helpful at ORD.

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Can I buy a day pass for O’Hare airport lounges?

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Sometimes. United sells a day pass for United Clubs (around $59 via the United app), but availability can be limited. American sells Admirals Club day passes for $79 at the lounge or online – this gives one-day access to Admirals Clubs (with up to 3 children). The Delta Sky Club does not offer paid day passes (you’d need an eligible card or membership). Some independent lounges in T5 (like the Swissport or the SAS Lounge) may allow pay-at-door entry if space permits. Always inquire at the lounge reception or check the airline’s website for the latest policy, as prices and rules can change.

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Are Terminals 1, 2, and 3 connected for lounge access?

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Yes. Terminals 1, 2, and 3 at ORD are interconnected post-security, meaning if you have a boarding pass for any gate in T1, T2 or T3, you can walk between these terminals without exiting security. This means you could land in T1 and walk to an Admirals Club in T3, for example (though it’s a long walk).