United Airlines debuts its third United Club at Newark Airport

United Airlines’ ambitious overhaul of its Newark Liberty International Airport loungescape is now complete, with the third and final of its United Club trio unlocking doors for lounge-worthy members and guests.

Positioned steps from gate C74 in Terminal C, the Manhattan-inspired hangout is actually the fifth United Club to open this year, joining recent additions at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Denver International Airport.

Intimate booths, cosy lounges and spacious dining tables are all part of the seating mix.

It complements its gate C123 sibling, which debuted in May last year, together with its cousin at gate A27 in the airport’s newer Terminal A. The latter has been open since July.

Here’s a brief overview of what awaits business class passengers, Star Alliance and Velocity Gold and Platinum members, and eligible Air Canada flyers in each of the Newark sanctuaries.

United Club C74

Open daily from 5am to 10:30pm, this 400-seater lounge is the middle child in terms of size at almost 1,700 sq m. That’s some 300 sq m larger than its Terminal A counterpart, yet well below its contemporary near C123 – a cavernous space at 2,787 sq m.

Once past the self-scan entry (and admiring the grand ceiling art by Ron Norsworthy) visitors encounter a well-stocked buffet and complimentary bar, followed by a wellness room and more than enough spaces to kick back, relax or do a little work.

The blue and gold ceiling artwork is inspired by New York's Grand Central Station.

On the menu are wraps, salads and fresh fruit, in addition to local classics such as saltwater taffy and the official New Jersey state sandwich: ham, egg and cheese.

Decor is light and bright with pops of gold, cobalt blue and ochre, with natural light streaming in through the high windows. Attractive pendant lights add to the ambience at night.

The tended bar is stocked with beers, wine and spirits.

The debut of this lounge sees the closure of a pop-up near Gate C93. 

United Club C123

Blending a contemporary ‘lounge room’ look with an upmarket bistro vibe, this sprawling lounge perfectly sums up the airlines’ new-generation lounges – it’s striking from top to bottom (even if it has been bested in size by the Denver lounge).

Those in need of barista coffee will be in their element here.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of sandwiches, sweets and savoury snacks from the self-serve deli, order a barista-pulled brew from the cafe area, or sink a beer or wine from the 25-seat tended bar, dressed with a tiled mosaic channelling the signage you’d find in a New York subway.

On a clear day visitors can also enjoy panoramic views stretching beyond the runway to the distant Manhattan skyline, courtesy of floor-to-ceiling windows.

Solo travellers can set themselves up in one of these compact booths.

After a long day or ahead of a long flight, passengers can freshen up in one of six shower suites stocked with Sunday Riley amenities and Saks Fifth Avenue-branded towels; or wind down in the library or by challenging fellow travellers to a game of foosball.

The lounge opens the same hours as its Terminal C counterpart: 5am to 10:30pm.

United Club A27

United describes this lounge as “bridging an industrial loft design and modern look” through “locally-sourced furniture and décor that reflects the New York / New Jersey area.”

The design echoes loft apartments often seen in New York: high ceilings and exposed liberal brickwork, mismatched seating and timber flourishes, complemented by paintings, photographs and prints from local artists, which lends it a gallery-like vibe.

Free high-speed WiFi is available throughout the lounge.

Seating 300, it boasts varied zones for dining, lounging and work, and is open daily from 5am to 9:15pm. Free WiFi – a staple across all three lounges – will give you a chance to download some movies before the flight.

In terms of refreshment, guests can pull up one of the orange stools at the bar (plugging devices into its convenient power outlets at the same time) and order a range of wines, premium spirits and bars on tap.

The bar includes a decent selection of whiskies, for those who enjoy a dram or two.

New and renovated lounges are part of United Airlines’ broader investment in passenger experience – a move which recently saw the roll out of Saks Fifth bedding kits and Therabody amenities in Polaris business class.

United will also be setting up Therabody Reset Suites across its Polaris lounge network, beginning with the New York/Newark and San Francisco lounges in late October and Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Washington to follow.