The 6 best lounges at Chicago O'Hare in 2026

How O'Hare's terminals shape the choice

O'Hare's lounges are sorted by airline more than by quality. Terminal 1 is United's home, with the Polaris Lounge and three United Clubs on Concourses B and C. Terminal 2 holds two more United Clubs and is slated for demolition as the new Global Terminal rises. Terminal 3 is American's, with three Admirals Clubs and a Flagship Lounge. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 connect airside, so a United flyer with time can walk to the H/K Admirals Club if they have access. Terminal 5 is a separate building reached by the Airport Transit System, and its lounges serve Terminal 5 departures only.

Our list has a gap you should know about. Several United Clubs and the American Flagship Lounge rate between 4.4 and 4.7 but have no photo on file yet, so they do not appear. For the full airline picture, see our rankings of every United Club and every Admirals Club.

1. Delta Sky Club (M)

The Delta Sky Club (M) rates 4.8 and is the best room at the airport. It opened in 2022 in Terminal 5 between gates M11 and M14 on the west side; turn right after security. It holds 200 and has two showers and a full bar. Hours are 04:30 to 20:00 Sunday through Friday and 04:30 to 18:30 on Saturday. Cleanliness, coffee, crowding, drinks, power, quiet, service, showers, views, Wi-Fi and workspace scored five. Members and eligible cardholders bring up to two guests at 50 dollars each, entry opens three hours before a same-day Delta or partner departure, and Basic fares are excluded. US Amex Platinum holders get ten visits a year and Delta Reserve holders fifteen.

2. American Airlines Admirals Club (H/K)

The American Airlines Admirals Club (H/K) is American's Chicago flagship at 4.7. It is on the mezzanine at the crosswalk between Concourses H and K in Terminal 3, near gates H6 and K6, and runs 05:00 to 22:00. It holds 300, with a full bar and two showers, and was renovated in 2017. Cleanliness, coffee, crowding, drinks, food, power, restrooms, seating, showers and workspace scored five. Members bring family or two guests, business and first passengers on a qualifying international ticket bring one, and oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members enter on status. Day passes need a same-day American or oneworld ticket.

3. United Polaris Lounge

The United Polaris Lounge rates 4.6 near gate C18 in Terminal 1. It closed in January 2025 for a 25,000 square foot expansion and reopened on April 29, 2025, with a 50-seat dining room and a second speakeasy-style bar. It now holds 350 and has ten showers, the most at O'Hare. Hours are 07:00 to 21:00. Coffee, crowding, food, restrooms, seating, service, showers, Wi-Fi and workspace scored five. Entry is for United Polaris business passengers with no guests, and Star Alliance international first class passengers with one. From Concourse B, take the underground walkway to C.

4. Swissport Lounge

The Swissport Lounge is the Priority Pass, LoungeKey and DragonPass room in Terminal 5, rated 3.9. It is next to gate M13, across from the Delta Sky Club, and open 07:00 to midnight. It is small at 90 seats with a full bar and no showers. Coffee, drinks, restrooms, service and views scored five, while cleanliness, power, quiet, seating and workspace scored three. Entry opens three hours before departure with a three-hour cap, and access may be restricted from 15:00 to 20:30 when it fills. Walk-up day passes cost about 45 dollars.

5. United Club (E7)

The United Club (E7) rates 3.9 in Terminal 2 near gate E7, in the space that used to be a Delta Sky Club. It is a smaller overflow-style club with a self-serve beer and wine bar and cold snacks only, holding 150. Hours are 07:30 to 21:00. Cleanliness, crowding and food scored five, with coffee, quiet and service at three. Individual members enter alone, All Access members bring two guests, and one-time passes cost 59 dollars. Terminal 2 is due to be demolished for the Global Terminal, so expect this club to close eventually.

6. Air France Lounge

The Air France Lounge opened on October 17, 2025, near gate M17 in Terminal 5, just past duty free. It rates 3.0 across 13 metrics, with 105 seats, a full bar and two showers. Hours are 05:30 to 23:30. Business class passengers enter alone, La Première passengers bring one guest, and Flying Blue Platinum and Gold and SkyTeam Elite Plus members bring one on a same-day SkyTeam flight. Priority Pass members are admitted outside noon to 17:00 for up to three hours. Paid entry runs about 50 dollars or 6,000 miles. Coffee, drinks, quiet and Wi-Fi scored four, but crowding, food, restrooms and workspace scored two. It is a backup for when the Swissport Lounge is full.

Where to look next

Our rankings use ratings across fourteen metrics, explained on the methodology page. The generated page at the ORD top five updates as reviews arrive, and the airport page lists all 15 lounges, including the United Clubs at B6, B18, C10 and F, the Admirals Clubs at G and L, and the Flagship Lounge that are waiting on photos.