The SAS lounge at Chicago’s O’Hare airport has all the hallmarks of a SAS lounge: pretty, but with poor catering. But in this particular case, the cramped space doesn’t make it particularly pleasant.
All good things must come to an end, and this Chicago sojourn is about to end with a return to Gothenburg and then Paris. My flight on SAS to Copenhagen leaves mid-afternoon, but given the long waits you can face in the USA, especially at security checkpoints, it’s better to arrive a lot earlier than a little later. I don’t mind, as long as I have a lounge to wait in.
Chicago is one of the few cities outside Scandinavia where SAS, with whom I’m flying today, has a lounge, in the Terminal 5 used by the Scandinavian airline.
You’ll find at the bottom of the page a summary of all my articles about this vacation in the USA.
Location of the lounge
From a certain point of view, it’s ideally located, right outside the security checkpoints, at least the ones I used (on the left-hand side of terminal 5, opposite the check-in counters).
Well located from a certain point of view, since being close to the controls means possibly far from the gates… depending on which one you depart from.
Access to the lounge
The lounge accepts SAS business class and SAS Plus (premium economy) passengers, Star Alliance business class passengers, as well as Diamond and Gold members of its Eurobonus frequent flyer program and those of partner airlines with equivalent Star Alliance Gold status.
Lounge layout
The lounge is laid out in a single room.
At one end is the buffet.
At the other end is a fairly traditional lounge area with tables, chairs and armchairs.
In the middle is a small area with a high table, stools and a shelf running along the bay window, where you can also sit down.
And…that’s it!
At the time of my visit, there was hardly a seat left, so it’s fair to say that the place wasn’t very pleasant. More like a fast-food restaurant at peak times.
But let’s face it, it would have been complicated for SAS to do otherwise.
The airline only operates two flights a day from Chicago (one to Copenhagen and one to Stockholm), not at the same time, so if that justifies a lounge (compared with those that operate only one) it doesn’t justify making it bigger. But given the number of eligible passengers, it couldn’t be any smaller ( evidence : it was full with those from my flight).
But in theory it’s open to all Star Alliance passengers eligible for a lounge, isn’t it? Yes, but only four operate on T5: Swiss, Austrian, LOT and Turkish Airlines.
But Swiss passengers have their own airline lounge (Swissport), which they prefer to use, as do Austrian passengers, who are also members of the LH Group. Turkish has also opted for Swissport as its preferred lounge.
Even if all these passengers can potentially go to the SAS lounge, their reflex will be to go to the lounge they are shown. Logical.
Which leaves LOT, the only airline to officially direct its passengers to the SAS lounge.
So the lounge fits the bill…there’s not a square meter too much, but that’s the way it is.
Having said that, I’d rather be squeezed in here than in that horrible Swissport lounge, because this lounge respects SAS aesthetic criteria: pretty, bright, soothing tones…
Catering
While this lounge meets SAS’ aesthetic criteria, it also respects its catering standards, which is less good news.
No hot dishes, just vegetables, salads and cold cuts.
Chips and crackers…
Cakes and sweets…
On the drinks front, it’s a little better, with the usual softs, wines, beer and a selection of strong spirits that are quite convincing considering the rest.
And that’s it. SAS remains true to itself, especially away from its home base. On the other hand, when you see what you find in other lounges here, you can almost say you’re pretty well off.
Ultimately, a utilitarian offer, but nothing more.
Facilities
Computers connected to the Internet, but no toilets and even fewer showers…
Atmosphere
A bit noisy and not very restful when I was there.
Bottom line
A purely utilitarian lounge.
The articles about this vacation in the USA
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Review : SAS Business Lounge – Chicago O’Hare
