United Airlines has quietly pulled back the curtain on a refreshed and expanded dining experience at its signature Polaris Lounge in Newark Liberty International Airport. The upgrade marks a strategic design and hospitality move for the carrier, as airlines double down on their lounge offerings across the New York metropolitan area.
The redesigned dining room isn’t a dramatic overhaul, but a considered refinement of what United already does well – elevated pre-flight service with a design sensibility that leans more residential than corporate. The new space takes over the area once occupied by “Classified,” United’s invitation-only restaurant concept, and integrates it into the main lounge offering.
In terms of layout, the new dining room appears purposefully intimate. Visual references from the airline suggest a calm, somewhat ‘warmer’ environment with low ambient lighting, dark wood accents, albeit with a somewhat cold subdued palette of navy, tan, and soft greys. Frosted glass dividers provide separation without isolating guests, while mirrored panels and sculptural lighting features subtly elevate the atmosphere. The design keeps sightlines open, giving the space a sense of volume without feeling cavernous. Importantly, for many solo travellers window-side seating captures natural light and frames tarmac or skyline views, adding to the sense of orientation and quiet theatre.
The expansion adds roughly 60 new seats, a much-needed improvement, bringing the dining room’s total capacity to around 160 – an increase that should ease some of the congestion experienced during peak travel hours. This becomes especially relevant as the lounge continues to serve high volumes of Polaris passengers departing to Europe and long-haul destinations, especially in the evening.
Service remains à la carte, with a full printed menu available from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests can order from a morning selection that includes avocado toast, blueberry crêpes, and made-to-order omlets. Later in the day, the focus shifts to more substantial options: seared scallops, crab cakes, eggplant Milanese, and the Polaris signature burger (It’s good, I can vouch for it!) – now with a plant-based patty option.
Drinks continue to be part of the experience, with a bar-style cocktail service offered at the table. Signature options like an espresso martini or a “Red Snapper” Bloody Mary add a touch of lounge indulgence. The move away from buffet-only service isn’t new for Polaris Lounges, but this latest space brings that concept into sharper focus, with an emphasis on pacing, personalisation, and environment – it’s got more of a ‘speak-easy meets diner’ vibe.
“We’re bringing an elevated dining experience to Newark with the opening of a larger dining room at our Polaris lounge. Newark offers business class travellers ample opportunity to travel across the Atlantic, and we’re excited to offer them more room to dine before or after their long-haul flights. For years, we’ve been investing in our club and lounge portfolio at Newark, and it’s our first hub to fully reflect our new designs and amenities.”
Aaron McMillan, United’s Managing Director, Hospitality Programs
From a design perspective, I’m presuming the space embraces United’s updated Polaris aesthetic—softer, more tactile, and clearly informed by guest feedback. There’s an evident shift away from the colder, industrial feel of earlier Polaris spaces (albeit I quite liked the architectural references), toward something more relaxed and mood-driven. The choice of materials helps here: matte finishes, cushioned seating with textured upholstery, and a more residential lighting plan contribute to a sense of understated luxury.
The expansion also positions United more competitively against its local rivals. While Delta’s new Delta One Lounge at JFK is certainly impressive at nearly double the size, with its own full-service dining area, United’s Newark smaller footprint is growing in ways that feel intentional and brand-aligned. Rather than replicating Delta’s scale, United seems to be refining intimacy and calm, maintaining a sense of exclusivity.
Access remains reserved for Polaris business-class passengers on United-operated long-haul flights, as well as Star Alliance business-class travellers on eligible itineraries departing from Newark. Notably, Polaris passengers can also access the lounge on arrival, offering flexibility for those needing to freshen up or grab a bite post-flight.
This Newark update is only the second Polaris Lounge to fully reflect United’s new interior language, following earlier changes at Chicago O’Hare. With several other Polaris spaces still running under the original 2016 design spec, this latest refresh offers a glimpse into where United is heading: a more thoughtful, design-conscious lounge experience that matches the evolving expectations of its premium flyers.
There’s nothing overly dramatic about the Newark expansion – no grand unveil, no gimmicks. But perhaps that’s the point. In an industry often prone to overstatement, this feels like a quiet step forward: one that shows a steady hand and an eye for detail. It’s not revolutionary, but it is relevant. And for design-savvy travellers who appreciate form, flow, and function working in harmony, it’s exactly the kind of evolution worth paying attention to.
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