Inside United’s Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles Airport IAD
by Krish Patel
United has established a network of its Business Class only Polaris Lounges. Having been around for four years now, the Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the second of United’s two high-end offerings on the east coast. (The other one is in Newark EWR.) It’s the perfect place at IAD to relax before a long haul Business Class journey.
United Polaris Lounge IAD Location and Access
The United Polaris Lounge at Dulles is located in Concourse C, near gates C17 and C18. It’s convenient for travelers departing on an overseas flight in Polaris Business Class since you’ll find it near the United gates. However, folks booked on a long haul First or Business Class flight operated by a Star Alliance member can also gain entry, most of which are found in the B Gates.
Polaris Lounges are exclusive to long haul Business and First Class passengers flying a Star Alliance member, as well as those in United’s Polaris cabin. No credit card or tier of airline elite status will get you in (not even Premier 1K or Global Services). United’s own Polaris passengers additionally enjoy the perk of having access to the lounge during connections and upon arrival.
United Polaris Lounge IAD Seating, Layout, and Design
Stepping into the marble clad entrance feels very tranquil and calming. There are accented black stripes and large white marble sections that make up the walls. I also noticed an eye-catching art installation that’s inspired by constellation patterns. Overall, the entrance to the Polaris Lounge at IAD is luxurious, but noticeably smaller than the one at Newark.
Guests will take a brief staircase to reach the actual lounge space, where they’ll be greeted by a colorful Maggie O’Neal painting of Washington D.C. During my visit, the space was nicely decorated for the holidays and gave off a merry vibe. You’ll have the choice to walk to the left or right and will be greeted by comfortable furniture in either direction.
The seating areas are spacious and still manage to offer a sense of privacy thanks to tall black partitions that separate every few seats. However, they didn’t prove to be big enough since the majority of the seats were occupied. Additionally, reading lamps and charging ports are built into each of the side tables, including the signature Polaris Lounge cubicles. In the seating areas, I love how the flooring alternates between hard marble and soft blue carpeting. Other elements such as a mix of dark black and marble white walls also help create a nice visual contrast.
Parallel to the windows is a spacious, brightly-lit seating area, offering more open seats compared to those throughout the rest of the lounge. I managed to find an open Polaris Lounge cubicle, which felt super private and comfortable. The views overlooking the apron were fantastic, especially of whichever aircraft may be parked at gate C18.
There’s more seating in front of the bar, specifically a spiraled gray velvet couch, as well as cafeteria-style dining chairs. You’ll have access to table space for eating thanks to sleek square and circular marble tables throughout the dining area where you can lay your dishes. The bar area is beautifully designed with gold and marble accents, which make this feel more like a bar in a Four Seasons Hotel rather than an airport.
Tucked away into a cozy nook found left of the bar is a small seating arrangement complete with various works of Maggie O’Neal’s art. If you’re looking for a more secluded space to relax in the lounge, then this is the perfect spot.
United Polaris Lounge IAD Food and Drink
The dining in Polaris Lounges is truly remarkable. It exceeds the quality of the snacks and light bites that are a typical staple in the United Club Lounges.
There’s an impressive buffet complete with a variety of salad fixings, fresh vegetables, and condiments. You’ll also find hot options such as roasted vegetables, soups, pasta, and grain-based dishes with quinoa. Overall, the selection is very similar to that in the Newark Polaris Lounge, which I had visited a few months prior.
Travelers can also book a reservation for The Dining Room, a proper sit-down restaurant found in the Polaris Lounge. It feels very classy and elegant, with almost a dozen tables scattered in a decently sized dining area. The glazed marble wall and blue accents help maintain United’s color palette throughout the lounge.
I ordered the seared gnocchi with wild mushrooms, which was light and delicious. The gnocchi was soft and fresh thanks to the pairing with mushrooms. In order to save room for the food on my flight, I didn’t get anything else.
At the bar, there are friendly bartenders who are ready to mix up flavorful creations, whether it be in the form of a cocktail or non-alcoholic drink. Just like any other Polaris Lounge in the system, you can count on signature complimentary beverages that are specific to the Dulles outpost.
United Polaris Lounge IAD Amenities
Located in the primary seating area is an assistance desk where staff can help with rebooking any flights and travel information. There are also a handful of private individual workstations, which feature sound-proof walls. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Polaris Lounge, making it easy and possible to get work done.
To the left of the phone rooms is a hallway featuring overhead starry lights. This is where you’ll find several gender-specific restrooms, all of which come provided with Therabody soap.
Besides sleek bathrooms, there are also six shower suites and two quiet rooms. The quiet rooms feature individual day beds and cozy bedding items made in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue.
The shower suites are plenty spacious and include several amenities as well. Notably, there are Therabody skincare products (soap and body lotion), Saks Fifth Avenue slippers, a bathrobe, and a towel. However, I wish that the shower featured a proper door rather than a shower curtain.
Overall Thoughts
United’s Polaris Lounge in IAD is a well-above average lounge for Business Class passengers. The top-notch amenities and food and drink make it an impressive space by the standards of a U.S. airline. However, finding an open seat or making a reservation at The Dining Room can be a challenge. The space gets crowded very easily, especially during peak hours. If you’re holding a long haul Star Alliance Business Class ticket departing Dulles, then this is certainly the place to be.