United Airlines will open its latest Polaris business class lounge at New York-adjacent Newark Liberty International Airport on Monday June 4.
It's the third of the new-look lounges, following Chicago and San Francisco, with two more Polaris facilities slated for Houston in "late (northern) summer" and Los Angeles in November.
AusBT review: United Airlines Polaris San Francisco lounge
And like its siblings, the Newark Polaris lounge will be restricted to business class and first class travellers on United's international fleet and its Star Alliance siblings, with top-tier frequent flyers in other classes shunted into the lesser United Club lounges.
Read: United Airlines defends banning frequent flyers from Polaris lounges
So what's in store for Newark? United's east coast hub will carry hit features from Chicago and San Francisco such as an à la carte dining room, spacious shower suites, daybeds and great views over the airport – "the aircraft are literally up to the glass!' Alexander Dorow, United’s Director of Premium Services, tells Australian Business Traveller.
Newark’s Polaris lounge will be “very similar in size” to its sprawling San Francisco sibling, "but it actually has more seats than (San Francisco) and the reason for that is it's built over one level" compared to the split-level at SFO, Dorow says.
That tally is 455 seats, with 15 different types of seating, 570 AC outlets and 450 USB ports.
The Polaris lounge takes over the footprint of the former United Club at Newark's Terminal C3, between Gates C102 and C120, plus some adjacent space on either side.
The lounge's entry sports a vibrant lighting fixture created by Brooklyn-based art and design laboratory Richard Clarkson Studio intended to mimic the constellations.
But it's the bar will be true North for many travellers, both in terms of its size and the array of cocktails offered.
The private dining area offers table service for up to 48 guests, with a menu developed by New York Chef John Glowacki including Moroccan-spiced braised lamb, polenta fries, wild mushroom risotto with a balsamic reduction, staples like the United Polaris Burger and the 'Brookie', a brownie-cookie combo served with milk.
The bistro-like buffet sports a do-it-yourself bagel bar that's unique to the Newark lounge alongside sandwiches and wraps.
Ten private daybed rooms are outfitted with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding.
The ten shower suites have rainfall showers and Cowshed Spa products, with a valet service offering free garment steaming.
For a taste of what United's Newark Polaris lounge will be like, read our review of the recently-opened Polaris lounge at San Francisco
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
26 Jun 2011
Total posts 76
As much as I applaud United for designing a unique experience/environment for an American airline, I still get the feeling of "mutton dressed up as lamb"!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Mar 2018
Total posts 10
Last week, both standard lounges were overcrowded due to works at Polaris.
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