My Five Favorite United Clubs

I recently had a chance to revisit the United Club at Washington National Airport. It’s a beautiful club and in terms of architecture, my absolute favorite of all United Clubs. I thought it might be fun to compile a list of my five favorite United Clubs. My list may surprise you…

My Five Favorite United Clubs

5. Honolulu (HNL)

I know most consider this a woefully outdated lounge, but I love the decor…the etched glass, the shells, the artwork. And of course Honolulu itself always brings happy memories and the staff in this lounge is friendly. I hear United is preparing to remodel this lounge. Please, United: leave it alone!

> Read Full Review: United Club Honolulu HNL

4. San Francisco (SFO) – F Gates

I just love this lounge, another one that has not yet been renovated (but sadly soon will be). That rotunda in the entrance with the clock and constellations is just beautiful. Over the years, I’ve used this lounge probably more than any other (even LAX) since I often fly out of Burbank (BUR) and because SFO is UA’s transpacific gateway and also offers far more transatlantic service than LAX.

3. Los Angeles (LAX)

My home airport has a beautiful United Club with great staff (especially Bruce) and a nice terrace. One of the newer United Club, it is both spacious and flooded with natural light. It also offers a respectable selection of food, sometimes including Korean BBQ tacos.

> Read Full Review: United Club Los Angeles (LAX)

2. London (LHR)

United has a beautiful lounge in London Heathrow with wonderful staff and a great selection of food and drink. In fact, I prefer the United Club to the lounges of Air Canada, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines (all in the same terminal).

> Read Full Review: United Club Club London (LHR)

1. Washington National (DCA)

Such a beautiful, classic, historic lounge. It utilizes lounge space that is original to the airport and hearkens back to the glory days of commercial aviation. Not only are the staff great, but sitting in here takes you back 70-80 years (in a good way). This lounge is my favorite United Club of all due to its architecture. I wish United could get the permits to open the outdoor terrace!

> Read Full Review: United Club Washington National (DCA)

Honorable Mention – Denver (DEN)

Denver receives an honorable mention because of one staff member: Chris. She was the best. Always the best. For over a decade she would greet me, I would greet her, and she simply brightened up my day every time I visited the lounge. She retired many years ago now, but her colleagues in Denver have big shoes to fill. She would be very proud of the beautiful new lounges in Denver, including the Club Fly grab-and-go lounge.

> Read More: A Tribute To A Wonderful United Club Agent

CONCLUSION

The Philadelphia (PHL) United Club also receives honorable mention. When I went to law school, I flew out of PHL nearly every Thursday or Friday to go home to LAX and I got to know the staff (especially Anne) very well. It’s always nice to be greeted by name at the lounge door.

I also need to give Newark C121 honorable mention for the showers and barista coffee…I want this concept to spread!

What are your favorite United Clubs?