United Club

Opened in December 2016, the United Club at Los Angeles airport highlights the Star Alliance carrier’s recent re-investment in their LAX hub. The lounge is part of a multi-million-dollar project in partnership with Los Angeles World Airports, which included a new baggage sorting system as well as upgrades to the passenger areas.

Located in Terminal 7 immediately behind the security checkpoint, the United Club is a stone’s throw away from Terminal 8, which United also uses, and steps away from Terminal 6.

The United Club welcomes United Club members, Star Alliance Gold customers flying internationally, as well as United Gold customers traveling to international destinations. (United Polaris business class customers are invited to visit the far more exclusive Polaris Lounge near gate 73.)

The frosted automatic doors reveal a reception area with three glistening white desks, where a short line may form at peak times. The actual lounge is located upstairs, a brief escalator or elevator ride away, in a bespoke space built on top of the terminal building.

United Club LAX design

The United Club at Los Angeles airport features the airline’s standard design, which is widely available system-wide, including at London Heathrow, San Francisco, San Diego, and Seattle airports. The space is fresh and modern, with white marble and designer light fixtures. Translucent blue partitions and vintage pictures of United aircraft celebrating the airline’s history dot the lounge and break the monotony of the sleek but otherwise somewhat minimalistic ensemble.

Spreading across an impressive 29,000 square feet, the United Club features a variety of furniture catering to a wide range of travelers. Cluster of egg chairs create intimate spaces, a large dining area offers spacious seating for two and four, paired seats by the windows provide an ideal retreat for couples, and an abundance of high-top seating in the central area meets the needs of business travelers and laptop users.

Power and USB ports are available at every seat, including in the dining area and at the bar, and all seats come with a handy side table or coffee table.

While the open-space layout offers limited privacy at a first glance, the club is relatively sparsely furnished, with wide and spacious paths. There are also three slightly secluded and quieter areas: behind the escalators next to the customer service desks, at the rear of the main room by the windows, and all the way to the rear of the lounge, to the right of the bar and the terrace.

The feeling of space is accentuated by the floor-to-ceiling windows in every direction. Bathed in sunlight, the club boasts 360 degree views of the tarmac, the airport’s signature tower building, the Los Angeles skyline, and as far as the Hollywood hills on clear days.

Sunrise and sunset vistas are a treat—especially enjoyed from the outdoor terrace, a highlight of the club and the second of its kind at LAX (to visit the original outdoor deck, complete with a bar and fire pits, head over to the sumptuous Star Alliance Lounge in the International Terminal which is also open to Star Alliance Gold and United Club members.)

Furnished with dining tables, a weather-proof couch, and even live trees, the United Club deck is an enjoyable social space and an exhilarating slice of heaven for airplane lovers, even though the views are somewhat limited. An automatic door shields the lounge from the noise and smell of jet fuel.

For a more traditional environment, head over to the dining area facing the deck. The inviting horse shoe-shaped bar, complete with intriguing light fixtures and golden hues, stands out as the centerpiece of the design—perhaps reminding you that it’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

United Club LAX amenities

The large buffet area across the bar features a selection of snacks, salads, soups, and desserts. Breakfast includes an assortment of pastries and breads (with handy toasters), oatmeal and accoutrements, yoghurt, cereal, and fresh fruit salads.

Ingredients are sourced locally—a first for a United Club—and prepared fresh in an on-site kitchen.

While the quality of the food stands out—the fresh grapefruit and berries for breakfast are a highlight—the range of options fails to impress. Hot entrees are elusive, and it looks like United isn’t tapping into the full potential of the on-site kitchen. Other hub Club locations such as Chicago O’Hare serve hot meals; we wish LAX would receive the same treatment.

Drinks wise, patrons will find Illy coffee and espresso, two swanky Coke Freestyle machines putting hundreds of juice and soda options at their fingertips, and a “hydration station” around the corner with infused water and juices. In typical United fashion, it is common for one of the soda or espresso machines to be out of order—but the friendly bartenders will gladly help as needed.

House wines, beer, and Prosecco are complimentary at the bar, while premium drinks come at a cost.

Wi-Fi is remarkably fast, and should satisfy the most demanding users. While United has done away with the traditional business center in favor of a versatile open space, six private phone rooms are located behind the customer service area. The rooms double as touchdown spaces for business travelers, with a small desk and power outlets. A fax/copier is available next to the customer service desks.

United has partnered with Foli to provide a large complimentary selection of digital magazines and publications to download. Fortunately, old-fashioned paper is still an option, with a selection of newspapers and magazines to read on site or take way.

A small VIP Room—a typical feature of LAX lounges—is discreetly located next to the phone booths, at the end of the hallway. The space is furnished just like the public areas and lacks windows, but it’s exquisitely quiet and private.

The large and modern bathrooms prolong the aviation theme with mirrors shaped like airplane windows. Unfortunately, the United Club lacks showers, despite the status of LAX as a hub and competition from Delta and American, which both offer showers at their respective lounges.

United Club LAX bottom line

The United Club at Los Angeles airport impresses with its sleek design, spacious layout, expansive views, and outdoor terrace.

However, some of the amenities are no match for the showcase physical space. The food selection, while enjoyable, lacks substance, and there are no showers—an unfortunate oversight for a lounge that welcomes guests bound to destinations as far as Australia. Also, the club is routinely crowded at peak times despite its generous dimensions.

United Polaris business class passengers should visit the small, but far superior Polaris Lounge, which features a complimentary full-service restaurant, private resting suites, and shower rooms.

Domestic customers also have the option to visit the excellent Star Alliance Lounge in the International Terminal, though the trek over to Terminal B can take as much as 30 minutes one-waya.

For information on other lounges at LAX, possible alternatives, and connections between terminals, check out our Definitive Guide to the LAX Lounge Scene.