ET departure lounge at ORD?
Aug 26, 2018, 6:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,648
ET departure lounge at ORD?
I am flying ET 511 on Aug. 29 to ADD. The flight is 14 hours long. I will have woken up and left my house at 3:30am that morning to catch a UA connecting flight to ORD, and I will not have had breakfast. Which lounge is usable for ET business class pax in T5? Where should I go to grab a bite to eat before boarding the flight? My UA flight arrives ORD at 7:00am and ET 511 leaves at 9:30.
Aug 27, 2018, 2:22 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,665
If you're flying in Business class on ET then your best bet by far would be the Polaris lounge before heading to T5 since you'll be landing in a UA terminal. If you get lucky you'll even land in the right terminal to hit it right when it opens at 7:15am. They are pretty quick if you want a menu ordered breakfast in the dining area or there is also the buffet available.
In T5 you have the LX and SK lounges, but I'm pretty sure both are closed that time of the morning. I've not been to those two in ORD specifically, but generally I have found LX lounges to be far better than SK in terms of food.
I don't know which lounge ET is using as a contract lounge, the *A website doesn't list it yet and since you'll be checking in somewhere else than ORD, probably you won't get a lounge invite during check-in to direct you.
I'd make a best effort to get to the Polaris lounge for a quick bite even if you only get time for the buffet. According to the ORD website, the Terminal Transfer bus only operates after 10am from T3 to T5, so you're going to be left with no choice but to go landside and re-clear TSA in T5. Just keep that in mind when budgeting time, as you may have to make do with whatever lounge pass ET staff will give you at the T5 check-in desk if time is tight.
In T5 you have the LX and SK lounges, but I'm pretty sure both are closed that time of the morning. I've not been to those two in ORD specifically, but generally I have found LX lounges to be far better than SK in terms of food.
I don't know which lounge ET is using as a contract lounge, the *A website doesn't list it yet and since you'll be checking in somewhere else than ORD, probably you won't get a lounge invite during check-in to direct you.
I'd make a best effort to get to the Polaris lounge for a quick bite even if you only get time for the buffet. According to the ORD website, the Terminal Transfer bus only operates after 10am from T3 to T5, so you're going to be left with no choice but to go landside and re-clear TSA in T5. Just keep that in mind when budgeting time, as you may have to make do with whatever lounge pass ET staff will give you at the T5 check-in desk if time is tight.
Aug 27, 2018, 1:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Toronto
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Posts: 339
T5 security is horribly slow. When I was there, only 2 lanes were open. I entered the lineup at 8, and it took 45 minutes to clear. The train was also still out of service, so I had to take the bus.
I would not risk a visit to the Polaris lounge unless I were sure that I can catch that T3-T5 shuttle.
The AF/Skyteam lounge is for ET passengers.
I would not risk a visit to the Polaris lounge unless I were sure that I can catch that T3-T5 shuttle.
The AF/Skyteam lounge is for ET passengers.
Aug 27, 2018, 6:48 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
T5 security is horribly slow. When I was there, only 2 lanes were open. I entered the lineup at 8, and it took 45 minutes to clear. The train was also still out of service, so I had to take the bus.
I would not risk a visit to the Polaris lounge unless I were sure that I can catch that T3-T5 shuttle.
The AF/Skyteam lounge is for ET passengers.
I would not risk a visit to the Polaris lounge unless I were sure that I can catch that T3-T5 shuttle.
The AF/Skyteam lounge is for ET passengers.
Aug 28, 2018, 12:33 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,665
I wasn't even thinking about that since I'm so used to PreCheck, but on ET that wouldn't be an option.
Aug 28, 2018, 1:01 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
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Posts: 5,123
Aug 28, 2018, 3:31 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Toronto
Programs: DL Silver, AC E75K, Chatime Elite
Posts: 339
Correct, you two - there isn't PreCheck, as I am also eligible for that.
The slowness, I guess is due to the fact that it is relatively not busy at T5 in the hour or two preceding ET511. There were 2 Caribbean-bound flights, but that was it. The larger restaurant just before the gates was open, as was the AF lounge.
I skipped the lounge as I wanted to get my walk in before the flight.
They also do the document check prior to the flight, so budget a few minutes for that as well. I can't remember who the contracted gate agents were.
J loads were light; I'd say 1/3 full for my flight, and of course, everyone had an empty adjacent seat.
The slowness, I guess is due to the fact that it is relatively not busy at T5 in the hour or two preceding ET511. There were 2 Caribbean-bound flights, but that was it. The larger restaurant just before the gates was open, as was the AF lounge.
I skipped the lounge as I wanted to get my walk in before the flight.
They also do the document check prior to the flight, so budget a few minutes for that as well. I can't remember who the contracted gate agents were.
J loads were light; I'd say 1/3 full for my flight, and of course, everyone had an empty adjacent seat.
Aug 28, 2018, 3:38 am
#8
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There is a special security lane for premium class customers. It shouldn't be too bad in the morning, but no TSA Pre at T5.
The AF lounge is nothing to write home about.
The AF lounge is nothing to write home about.
Aug 28, 2018, 4:32 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
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At least the AF/KL lounge has windows. Better than the SwissPort lounge used by other carriers.
Aug 28, 2018, 10:23 pm
#10
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That special lane may not be open in the morning due to slower traffic, but in my experience, it gets pretty backed up in the later afternoon through evening times.
Aug 29, 2018, 12:15 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA, UA, GE
Posts: 5,123
I can't vouch for in the morning, but certainly in the afternoon and through the night, a special (left most) lane can be accessed by premium ticket holders. The TSA agent would rotate between the premium ticket lane and one of the regular lines for ID and ticket inspection prior to security check.
That special lane may not be open in the morning due to slower traffic, but in my experience, it gets pretty backed up in the later afternoon through evening times.
That special lane may not be open in the morning due to slower traffic, but in my experience, it gets pretty backed up in the later afternoon through evening times.
Aug 29, 2018, 11:53 pm
#13
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 3,648
All of this is irrelevant since UA canceled the flight to Chicago less than 12 hours before the trip. We were routed to EWR AMS on UA metal in J, then AMS JRO in coach. We arrive 7 hours later than the orginal llan. So I cannot report on any lounge sued by ET at ORD. Sorry.
Aug 30, 2018, 1:59 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,665
All of this is irrelevant since UA canceled the flight to Chicago less than 12 hours before the trip. We were routed to EWR AMS on UA metal in J, then AMS JRO in coach. We arrive 7 hours later than the orginal llan. So I cannot report on any lounge sued by ET at ORD. Sorry.