Review: United Polaris Lounge Washington DC (IAD)
Intro
Following a flight onboard a United E175 in Business, I headed off to the Polaris Lounge in Washington due to my onward ticket to Lagos being in Polaris. For those unaware, Polaris lounges are the most exclusive of US Business Class lounges and offer an unbelievable product in terms of seating and food.
The one at Washington Dulles did not disappoint one bit in the slightest. If you have the opportunity to spend a bit of time here, I highly recommend at least 2 hours to take advantage of all the amenities.
This report includes photos from multiple visits to make the most comprehensive review.
Let's get into it!
Location
The United Polaris Lounge is relatively easy to find if you know Dulles well. If you are connecting, head over to the C concourse and make your way to the Polaris lounge located by gate C18. If you are checking in, you will probably already be around the C concourse.
Access
In terms of access, it is very simple. Passengers must be ticketed into Polaris on a same day ticket or long-haul flights on a Star Alliance carrier business class only from the departure destination.
For example:
EWR-IAD-LOS Receives Polaris access at both EWR and IAD
IAD-FRA on LH receives Polaris access
IAD-DEN-MUC on Lufthansa does not receive Polaris lounge access at Washington.
Passengers also receive access upon arrival: SYD-LAX (access in LAX if you can get through TSA)
Polaris lounge access is for passengers ticketed in the cabin to the following destinations:
However, note South America does not include Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana, Bolivia, French Guyana, and Paraguay.
If you happen to be flying to the Caribbean or short-haul international in Business, the United Club is just across the way.
Seating
Once the agent at the front scanned my boarding pass, I made my way up the stairs to the grand room of the Polaris Lounge at IAD. With Washington being a big hub for United, in the evenings during the summer, this place can get so packed that it can be tough to find a seat.
Turning right is probably my favorite place to sit in the lounge, as it is a bit quieter than the main room. There are plenty of options to choose from, including the classic "cubes" that you will find in many different Polaris lounges.
Further behind is another section of the lounge with more of the so-called "cubes", and tarmac views.
If you happen to run out of options, there is a main room nearby the bar and the restaurant, which features seating, but it is quite exposed, so I wouldn't recommend it.
Ahh, of course, the bar. If you fancy a drink during your stay, feel free to grab a seat, and the bartender will be happy to serve you. If you are seated somewhere other than the bar, you can come up to the bar and ask for a drink anytime as well. Alcohol is served from 5 am onwards (I believe).
Interestingly, I have some of the fondest memories at the bar, and I even got a girl's number here. We were just hitting it off so well.
Dining- Buffet
Before we get into the Polaris restaurant, I wanted to discuss the buffet a little bit. If you are on a time crunch and cannot spend 45 minutes to an hour sitting down at the restaurant, the buffet is a viable option.
In the afternoons, the buffet is laid out with plenty of hot options to choose from. Usually, it will consist of something meat-based, a carb (such as potato or rice), and a vegetarian offering. Bread rolls, soup, sandwiches, and salad are also offered.
Of course, I had to do a taste test...
Alternatively, in the mornings, you will find bacon, sausage, eggs, and a couple of other bits and bobs. Pastries, along with bread and bagels, are offered with a toaster.
If you happen to feel like a cup of coffee or sparkling water, you'll be happy to know that all non-alcoholic drinks are self-service all around the lounge.
I appreciate the illy coffee, along with the automatic taps that let you choose between sparkling and still. The only thing I would love to see are baby bottles of San Pellegrino.
Dining-Restaurant
Since I began flying Polaris, I have had a tradition when it comes to dining. aka, stuff my face😅.
Located towards the back of the lounge is the best business-class dining experience at any lounge, perhaps in the whole world.
A staff member will greet you and offer to take you to your table. During the day, the restaurant can be relatively empty, but during the rush hour of the TATL flights, it can fill up quickly, sometimes even needing to put customers on the "waitlist."
The waitlist works by taking your phone number, and you get a message when your table is ready.
Back in May, when the flight to Lagos was taken, the menu read as follows:
The only two items that never change on the menu are the burger and skillet cookie.
This was taken in October 2024:
My table was set, and the server provided me with a glass of water as well as a glass of Lanson champagne (a fine offering).
The lamb sausage was decently good, while the Polaris burger is what I recommend if you are dining here. Hits the spot every time without failure.
THE SKILLET COOKIE. If you like feeling deliciously sick, this is for you😅.
That was it for me; I was stuffed to the brim.
Nap Rooms
Another interesting amenity that the Polaris Lounge at IAD has is nap rooms. To be more specific, in the back of the lounge by the shower suites, United provides passengers with a small nap pod for up to a 45-minute block. The amenities are plentiful, including a comfortable blanket and a nice place to lie down.
I am not sure how strict they are on the 45-minute block...
Even an eye mask, a bottle of water, and some earplugs!
Shower Suites
If you happen to feel like you need a quick shower before your flight, you'll be pleased to know that United offers some lovely shower suites at the DC lounge. Usually, there is no wait for the shower in this location, but if there is, it shouldn't be more than about 15 minutes.
I enjoy how United has gone all in on this Therabody branding, as it's not a bad product at all.
Service
Service is another aspect of the Polaris Lounge that really stood out to me. Customers inside the Polaris Lounge are treated to a dedicated customer service desk that truly goes above and beyond.
As an example, I hadn't printed out my invitation letter to Somalia and asked if they could assist with this. Unfortunately, the printer was out, and I said no worries. 30 minutes later, they had gone over to somewhere and had it printed out. The agent proceeded to find me in the lounge and give me the printed invitation letter. WOW!
If you have any IROPS, this is the place to be.
Additionally, United offers free wifi for all customers in the lounge (I just didn't want to make a separate section).
Final Thoughts
The United Polaris Lounge at Washington (IAD) is my second favorite Polaris lounge in the network. The only small issue I have is that for a few hours in the evening, it can get pretty busy. Other than that, the restaurant is absolutely divine and has fantastic food. The service is next level, with staff going above and beyond to help out passengers. The champagne on offer is more than optimal, and the wine selection is decent. With nap rooms, shower rooms, and everything you could want, I could easily spend a whole day here (eating 18 skillet cookies).
It's funny, the Polaris Lounge almost transfer you into a realm that you are not in an airport.
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