United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles International Airport [Review]

United has opened its first United Polaris lounge at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Sterling, VA as of October 21, 2021.

At over 21,000 square feet, this isn’t the largest United Polaris lounge United has in its network (San Francisco is), but the space is surely impressive. We were invited to a media preview of the lounge and are able to share pictures and details of the space and amenities.

What Are United’s Polaris Lounges?

United operates 2 different types of lounge experiences.

The more traditional United Club offers basic services such as complimentary snacks, seating, and agent assistance, and you can access these clubs through a membership, specific MileagePlus credit cards, or by having elite status on an eligible itinerary.

The more upscale United Polaris lounge concept is reserved for business and first class passengers on eligible itineraries only and features restaurant-quality food, a much more modern-designed lounge, showers, sleeping pods, and more.

The new Washington, D.C. Polaris lounge joins several other United Polaris lounges, including Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), and San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX)  — all located at United hubs.

Location

The United Polaris lounge is located right across from gate 17, and the United Club there.

If you’re coming from the Main Terminal (where United check-in is), you need to take the post-security terminal transfer train to Terminal C. Exit there, and then walk down the long tunnel and proceed up the escalators into Terminal C. Once up top, make a left and you’ll see the lounge on the left-hand side, about 200 feet down.

Access

On the main terminal floor, you’ll check in with the lounge agent.

United Polaris lounges are only open to those flying on long-haul international flights (such as those from the U.S. to London or Paris) in United Polaris business class or business or first class on Star Alliance member airline.

If you’re flying to Cancún, for example, you’ll be out of luck for access. While the American Airlines Flagship Lounge and Delta Sky Club both allow access with elite status, the United Polaris lounge is unique in that you can only access it with a true business or first class ticket.

Hours

This lounge will be open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Seating

Once past the check-in receptionist, you’ll proceed up a short stairway to the lounge.

There are 355 seats in the lounge, so you shouldn’t have trouble finding a place to relax.

While there are seats scattered throughout the lounge, there is one section that is reminiscent of a library that United has created to mimic something you’d typically find in Washington, D.C.

Many seats feature United’s unique dual working/resting/eating pods, where you have access to outlets for charging, a large table perfect for laptop use or eating, as well as a spacious seat big enough for you to sprawl out.

There are even some tables facing the runways outside, perfect for spotting your inbound plane when it lands!

Throughout the lounge, you’ll find locally inspired artwork on the walls, including many that feature the annual cherry blossom season and Washington Monument.

In the remainder of the lounge, seats are arranged — more-or-less — in an “L” formation on the right-hand side of the lounge. Most of the seats can accommodate folks who wish to work, as there are power ports at nearly every seat, so you shouldn’t have any troubles charging up.

Food and Beverage

This lounge features 2 dining options — an à la carte restaurant-style area and a self-serve buffet. Unlike other lounges from other airlines, both sections are open to all passengers regardless of ticket or status.

Restaurant-Style Area

In the restaurant-style area, you’ll find a number of tables set for either 2 or 4 and you’ll be served by one of several servers assigned to that area.

Here’s what you can find on offer:

• Breakfast: brioche french toast, make-your-own omelets, breakfast grain bowls, breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, and more
• Small Plates: Autumn squash soup, arugula and fennel salad, quinoa samosa cake, cheese plate
• Entrées: Braised chicken tangine, salmon, ramen bowl, signature burger

While no individual menus were printed for the lounge preview event, a sample was posted to give an idea of what guests should be able to order.

Self-Serve Buffet

In the buffet area, you’ll find a whole new menu of options that rotate on a several-month basis, some of which are the same as the à la carte area.

Throughout the lounge, you’ll also find several beverage stations with coffee, tea, sodas, water, and a rotating selection of other beverages. During the fall, cucumber water and apple cider were on tap.

Bar

There’s 1 central bar in the middle of the lounge, and boy is it gorgeous.

Not only is there seating around it, but it’s illuminated underneath to create a stunning modern design.

Pretty much every drink imaginable is able to be poured, including some specialty cocktails including this season’s feature of a Negroni.

Amenities

Restrooms

One of the best features of this lounge is the restrooms, oddly enough. Instead of a separate men’s room and woman’s room, you’ll find 13 individual bathrooms, allowing you to utilize whichever room opens up first. Not only does this create a lot of privacy, but it allows people of all genders to use the first available restroom vs. having to crowd in any particularly dedicated restroom.

While you’re over by the restrooms, look up to see the starry night light fixture, making the ceiling look like a nighttime landscape.

Shower Suites

There are 6 shower suites, as well, complete with a toilet, shower, sink, and associated amenities, and for these, you’ll need to check in with the United representative at the front counter.

In each restroom, shower, and changing room, you’ll find soaps and creams by high-end brand Sunday Riley.

Private Room

In addition to the showers and restrooms, there’s also a private room for parents to feed their babies, change diapers, or relax away from the hustle and bustle outside.

Rest Pods

This lounge features 2 semi-private sleep pods located near the shower area. While you can’t reserve these, customers are asked to keep their time limited to under 60 minutes and an attendant monitors the area to keep guests rotating.

It was explained that other United Polaris lounges have more sleeping pods due to the bank of flights throughout the day, but due to the timings of flights into and out of Dulles, fewer sleeping pods were needed.

Final Thoughts

Without a doubt, the United Polaris lounge at Washington Dulles is the nicest lounge in the airport, putting every other airline lounge to shame. It is upscale, modern, and refined, but only accessible to United’s most premium passengers flying in its premium cabin. The space is absolutely stunning for a U.S. airline lounge and is really a welcome treat for those passengers flying out of Washington, D.C.