Review : SAS Business Lounge - Chicago O’Hare

After a few great days in Chicago, it’s time for me to return to Paris, not without sadness. As for the first leg, I travel on SAS in Business.

Terminal

At Chicago O’Hare, SAS uses terminal 5 like most foreign airlines (except LH Group which is in terminal 1 with United).

I arrive by Uber from downtown in about 30 minutes, no traffic from downtown despite Memorial Day.

Check-in is seamless thanks to the Business/Star Gold priority line, although the wait in the Economy line is also quite tolerable.

After dropping off my two checked bags to Paris (via Stockholm and Oslo), I pass the security checks which will also be equipped with a priority lane that will be empty..

Terminal 5 is arranged lengthwise, and has many lounges, including two Priority Passes: the Swissport lounge and the Air France-KLM lounge (at which I was refused).

Reception

Entrance to the SAS lounge at Chicago O’Hare

The reception is rather nice. My flight being delayed, the flight attendant welcomes me warmly, telling me that unfortunately the lounge is almost full but that I can find a small seat next to the buffet. She also tells me that an announcement will be made in the lounge when the flight is ready to board.

Very nice view on the Airbus A330 that will bring me back to Europe

Lounge design

The lounge is absolutely identical in its decoration to all the SAS lounges in the world: Scandinavian furniture, a rather compact lounge area and very pleasant round high tables.

The lounge is indeed crowded and very small, and I will not dwell on it.

Catering

Contrary to the lounges of the airline located in Scandinavia, the offer here is rather extensive and diverse as you can see on the pictures. No hot option though.