If you’re a member of Star Alliance, you have access to some of the best lounges at LAX Los Angeles Airport. They have several lounges at LAX airport in Los Angeles, each with its own unique benefits and amenities.
1. United Club Lounge
LAX is a massive airport with eight terminals and 146 gates arranged in a horseshoe configuration. ANA and most other Star Alliance partner airlines fly out of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), which is located at the far end of the airport.
However, the United Club Lounge is located where United Airlines operates: Terminal 7. It’s a solid 20-minute brisk walk down the long airside corridor which connects Terminal 7 with the TBIT.
Location of United Club Lounge LAX
The United Club lounge is located in Terminal 7 of Los Angeles Airport (LAX).
Related reads: United Club at Heathrow Terminal 2
United Club Lounge Access
As a member of Star Alliance, United Airlines offers access to this lounge for its passengers.
Access is reserved for:
- United Club members
- Chase United Club Visa holders
- Star Alliance Gold travelers
- Business class travelers flying to Newark or New York JFK on United’s premium transcontinental service
- International business or first class passengers traveling on any Star Alliance flight
Furthermore, one-time passes from Chase are accepted or can be purchased for $59. Note that if you hold a Star Alliance Gold card from United Airlines (Premier Gold or higher), you can only access the lounge when traveling in conjunction with an international itinerary. Those who have a Star Gold card from other programs can use the lounge when traveling on any Star Alliance flight in any class of service.
Also note that United does not give premium cabin passengers access on domestic flights, except on the premium transcontinental route noted above. Finally, Global Services members of MileagePlus enjoy complimentary access.
Related reads: United Economy Heathrow to NYC Newark
United Club Lounge LAX Features
At almost 20,000 square feet, the lounge is huge and has everything you should need. It features a quiet room, comfortable seating, complimentary food and drinks, and free Wi-Fi. It does not have showers, but there are showers at the nearby United Polaris Lounge.
The highlight of the lounge though, at least in our opinion, is the outdoor terrace overlooking the tarmac. Not only can you catch the sunrise, but you can watch airplanes go in and out. There is also a standard business center with printers and photocopiers, individual phone rooms, and there are plenty of power and USB ports throughout the lounge.
- Quiet Rooms for relaxation
- Comfortable seating arrangements
- Complimentary food and drinks
- Free Wi-Fi
- Outdoor terrace with a panoramic view of the tarmac, perfect for plane spotting
- Business center with workstations, printers, and photocopiers
- Phone rooms for private calls
- Ample power and USB ports
Food at United Club Lounge LAX
The food at the United Club Lounge LAX is a standard buffet option, and all food and non-alcoholic drinks are self-serve. The breakfast options are really very good, with a wide selection of hot and cold food on offer. Lunch is also varied, with everything from noodles to brownies and sandwiches.
I would say that the food at LAX’s United Club lounge is some of the best you’ll find in a lounge.
2. United Polaris Lounge
Out of United Club and United Polaris, United Polaris is the more exclusive of the two and harder to get into.
Location of United Polaris Lounge
The United Polaris Lounge is located between gates 73 and 75A in Terminal 7, and accessible via elevator and stairs at LAX on an upper floor. Follow the “Polaris” signs in the concourse and you’ll come to a small entryway and elevator that will take you up the lounge on the 4th floor.
Related reads: United Club at New Orleans MSY
Access to United Polaris Lounge
Access is available for:
- Departing or connecting United Polaris business class customers
- Departing long haul Star Alliance business or first class customers
There’s a noteworthy distinction to be made. If your journey involves flying United Airlines from London to Los Angeles in Polaris business class and you’re connecting onwards, let’s say to Seattle, you’re in luck – you’ll be allowed access. However, if your journey entails flying Air New Zealand business class from London to LA, you won’t have access. Yet, should your journey be reversed, flying from Los Angeles to London, whether aboard Air New Zealand or United Airlines, you’ll find the lounge accessible to you.
Related reads: United Economy Houston to Heathrow
United Polaris LAX Features
The new lounge has 140 seats, 272 power outlets and 120 USB ports, and a dozen semi-private work spaces with oversized chairs, AC and USB power, work or dining table, privacy dividers, and a lamp.
- Semi-private work spaces
- Six shower suites with rainfall shower heads and Soho House & Co’s Cowshed Spa products
- Daybeds outfitted with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding
- A valet service that will steam your wrinkled clothes
- An on-site washing machine for travel wardrobe emergencies
- a closet full of complimentary or loaner amenities such as deodorant, curling irons, hair straighteners, shower caps, and toothbrushes
- An “Action Station” where United chefs provide food and drink demonstrations
Food at United Polaris Lounge LAX
The menu at the United Polaris Lounge is excellent, with both an extensive buffet and A La Carte menu, in addition to a strong bar menu. I particularly enjoy their signature ‘Cloud Cover’ cocktail, which consists of Aviation Gin, grapefruit liquer and fresh lime juice with a lemon twist.
The buffet is one of the best buffets I’ve experienced, and rivals the Singapore Airlines buffet in Changi airport. The A La Carte option is located inside a small, separate dining room, but we have never seen it full. We were there for breakfast, so enjoyed the Matcha green tea pancakes and the Boardwalk Benedict. The dinner menu looked equally as enticing, with dishes including Butternut squash risotto and Street taco trio.
There’s even a juice station, where you can enjoy fresh, homemade juices as well as juices from well-known brands. Get there early for this one as it’s only a morning option.
3. Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge
The second is the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, which is located in Terminal 6. This lounge offers a more limited selection of food and drink and no showers, but does have a business center.
Location of Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge
The Star Alliance Lounge is located in Terminal 6 of Los Angeles Airport (LAX).
Access to Maple Leaf Lounge
Access is reserved for:
- Star Alliance business or first class passengers
- Star Alliance Gold status holders traveling on a Star Alliance flight
- Maple Leaf Lounge members
- United Club members
- Aeroplan 35K members
Maple Leaf Lounge LAX Features
The Maple Leaf lounge is not my favourite at LAX and is limited in features (there are no showers, for example), and if you have a choice between the ones on this list I wouldn’t recommend it over the likes of the Polaris or Star Alliance Lounge.
Food at Maple Leaf Lounge LAX
Compared to the Polaris buffet the Maple Leaf buffet pales in comparison. It’s small with only a handful of options and on the couple of occasions when I’ve eaten there, I wasn’t impressed.
4. Star Alliance Lounge LAX
The Star Alliance Lounge is primarily for Business/Upper-Class Passengers of the Star Alliance Airline Group and Gold Members of its loyalty Scheme.
There are over a thousand Star Alliance Lounges dotted around the world, however, the LAX Lounge is one of a few (6 at last count) of exclusive Lounges offering higher-end luxury and unique style and designs indicative of the location.
Location of the Star Alliance Lounge
The Star Alliance Lounge is located in the Tom Bradly International Terminal. Once you pass through security, make a right-hand turn and take the elevators up to the sixth floor.
Access to Star Alliance Lounge
Access is provided if:
- You’re a gold member with any Star Alliance airline, provided you are flying with a Star Alliance Member later the same day
- You’re flying in Business Class or First Class on any Star Alliance Member Airline later that day
- You’re flying first-class with Virgin Atlantic
- You can also pay a $75 entry fee if you don’t fall into any of the above
Star Alliance Lounge LAX Features
The lounge is large and busy, but smartly designed with a main seating area for relaxation and socialization and smaller, private rooms for additional peace and quiet. The main seating area offers a variety of comfortable seating options including armchairs and couches. Light curtains are used to divide the massive space and give the main seating area a sense of intimacy.
There is a dedicated workspace located in the back of the lounge and an enclosed library room for increased privacy and productivity. Electrical outlets are located by all the seating areas and password-protected WiFi is provided throughout the lounge.
- Full Bar
- Self-Serve Bar
- DIY Ramen Station
- Outdoor Terrace with Fire Pits
- Indoor Terrace
- Shower suites
- TV Room
- Library
- Paid Entry
Food at Star Alliance Lounge LAX
The main bar area is the open space directly in front of the bar as you walk in. This is light and airy with a range of seating from comfy relaxed chairs to dining tables. Adjacent to this is the gining area, which is where the Buffet is located. You do not need to stay here to eat, but the more formal tables and chairs are helpful for a proper dining experience.
The buffet food at the Star Alliance Lounge isn’t as good as the Polaris lounge, and there’s no A La Carte menu here, but the DIY Ramen Station is a big plus.
Star Alliance Lounge LAX Features
The Star Alliance lounge at LAX offers stunning views of the tarmac, and includes a business center with meeting rooms and private workstations, free WiFi, as well as a buffet area with hot and cold dishes. In addition, the lounge has a shower suite, so you can freshen up before your flight. If you’re traveling with young children, there’s even a play area to keep them entertained!
The Star Alliance Lounge at LAX is a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the airport, but there is also a quiet area for those who want to rest or take a nap. The staff at the lounge are always happy to help with any needs you may have, and they can even provide you with information about your flight or other travel plans. Whether you’re a member of the Star Alliance or not, the lounge is a great place to relax and escape the busyness of the airport.
- Free WiFi
- Private workstations
- Meeting rooms
- Shower suites
- Play area for children
- Quiet area
Star Alliance First Class Lounge
For those traveling First Class on a Star Alliance Service, there is a separate, First Class section of the Star Alliance Lounge. This offers even greater luxury, a more serene environment, al-a-carte dining, and full table service.
LAX Star Alliance Lounges Verdict
If you have a choice between all four of the lounges, we would recommend visiting the Polaris or Star Alliance lounge over the Club and Maple Leaf lounges, but if you only have time for one, make it the United Polaris.