For years, Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)’s Terminal 5 was a laughing stock when it came to lounge options. Unless you’re flying Delta (or a SkyTeam airline) and can get into the airline’s beautiful Sky Club, there’s a tiny SAS Lounge, a truly depressing Swissport Lounge for Priority Pass … and that was pretty much it.
Fortunately, that’s changed with the new LOT Polish Airlines business class lounge at O’Hare. Opened just in December 2024, it’s not the largest lounge by any means … but it has everything you’d want and need before a flight. Plus, the shiny new space is perfectly styled with an open and airy design while offering a solid selection of food and drinks.
I spent a few hours exploring the 6,500-plus-square-foot lounge earlier this month and found it to be well-designed, clean, comfortable, and incredibly well-staffed. Most importantly, it’s a monumental step up for Star Alliance business class passengers and a much-needed improvement for the O’Hare airport’s international terminal.
This lounge is easily worth stopping by if you qualify to get in. Here’s why.
Getting into LOT’s Chicago Lounge
The LOT Polish Airlines is so new that it’s not on O’Hare’s official map yet. But you won’t need a map to find it.
Unfortunately, Terminal 5 isn’t connected behind security to the remainder of O’Hare’s other terminals, so you’ll likely need to hop on the airport’s train (and re-clear security) if you’re flying into Chicago on another airline.
After clearing security, go through the duty free area and past the food court. From there, turn left down the concourse and you should already see the big glowing LOT logo on the blue wall.
On paper, flying business class with either LOT Polish or any of the many Star Alliance carriers flying in and out of Chicago should get you into this lounge, including:
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- Austrian
- Avianca
- COPA
- EVA
- Ethiopian
- Lufthansa
- LOT
- SWISS
- TAP Air Portugal
- Turkish Airlines
- United
But in practice, that may not be the case. Late last month, another member of our team was turned away from the lounge even with a Turkish Airlines business class ticket, directed instead to the sad and stuffy Swissport Lounge.
It’s possible that LOT only allows passengers from other carriers it’s specifically signed agreements with … though that would contradict LOT’s own written policies, which clearly allow any passenger with a “departure boarding pass in either long haul Business class or First Class of one of the airlines belonging to Star Alliance.” We’ve reached out to LOT to clarify which airlines are permitted entry.
For my visit last week, I had no problem getting in with my United Polaris business class ticket, even though United operates out of Terminal 1. Fortunately, I took O’Hare’s handy airside bus back over to Terminal 1 to avoid going through security once more.
In addition to business and first class passengers, travelers flying LOT Premium economy and LOT Economy Plus can enter the lounge for an additional $30 fee. Travelers with Miles & More HON and Senator status (Lufthansa group’s status program), Star Alliance Gold status holders, United Club members, and Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members can also access the lounge so long as they’re flying a Star Alliance airline that day.
The Space
The LOT Lounge is mostly just one, big, airy space. That’s not a bad thing.
At 6,600 square feet, it’s not exactly massive. But the light crowds during my visit combined with the lounge’s high ceilings and massive, floor-to-ceiling windows made it feel even larger. This is what you’ll see after walking in and down a short entry hallway.
The lounge is decorated in blue and gold – LOT’s primary colors. And it’s a sharp, modern look, with a snazzy overhead light fixture dominating the room and tons of natural light flooding in from those walls of windows.
Seating is arranged efficiently, which means it dominates much of the space. But even as the lounge filled up throughout my stay, there were never more than 50% or so of seats occupied.
The best seats, in my opinion, were these leather chairs separated by small side tables, with some extra tables in the aisle.
Almost every seat in the lounge has easy access to charging, including both USB-A and USB-C outlets and standard U.S. power sockets.
In the back of the lounge, there were three reclined lounge chairs available to all guests looking to rest on a first come, first served basis. This relaxation space wasn’t private, though … nor was it very dark.
There were two “huddle rooms” on the other end of the lounge that were the only separated spaces in the lounge (aside from the bathrooms and a single shower suite). These would be good to take a phone call or get away from the buzz in the room if you needed some privacy.
I did check out the shower suite, which is nothing fancy. It was plenty large, though – much larger than virtually any other shower suites you’ll find in an airport lounge, in fact. But there was only one of them, so you’ll want to secure a spot right away at the front desk if you know you’ll want to freshen up.
The general use bathrooms, which I did not photograph, were small but clean. Unlike some business class lounges, there weren’t special bathroom amenities besides some hand lotion.
Decent Food & Drink
Your mileage on LOT’s buffet will likely hinge upon how much you like Polish cuisine.
Growing up in the Chicago area, I happen to love Polish food! The buffet had a little bit of everything, although nothing knocked my socks off.
The charcuterie section pictured below was tasty. Just out of frame to the left there was also some soup available: during my visit, it was a tomato bisque.
The main buffet line had a few Polish staples, including this Polish sausage and cabbage dish I really liked.
And can you really call it a Polish buffet if you don’t have pierogis?
The dessert section, offered these tasty strawberry shortcake bites and some great brownies, too.
If you squint at the photo below, you can see the buffet all the way in the other corner of the lounge … far away from the dining seating, go figure. But the bar is in the foreground on the left, which was my next stop.
The bar menu had one of everything you can expect. It was a fully stocked bar and the bartenders could whip you up anything you’d like, free of charge. There are no “premium” options you have to pay for here – everything was complimentary.
The lounge’s specialty cocktails were written out on the first page of the menu, including “The Ultimate Vodka Experience.”
I opted for the Polish Sunset (OK, two of them…) which was a lovely blend of honey liquor, apple juice, and sparkling wine.
An aside: Dare I say this is a perfect travel drink? It’s incredibly light, super bubbly, and not insanely boozy, either. A refreshing, flavor-forward cocktail. Don’t skip this one.
Bottom Line
If you can get in, the new LOT Polish Airlines Business Class Lounge at Chicago-O’Hare’s Terminal 5 is worth a stop.
Not only does the space fill a massive void of high-end lounges in O’Hare’s international terminal, but its stylish space, comfortable digs, and solid food and drink offered a touch of luxury during my recent visit.
