Recently as part of my around the world trip, I was departing Washington Dulles (IAD) airport and had the opportunity to visit the United Polaris Lounge IAD. In fact, visiting this lounge and giving a full United IAD Polaris Lounge review was one of a few reasons that I chose to depart out of Washington DC for my flight to Cairo (the other was the fact that the New York to Cairo flight does not fly on a Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner). In this United Polaris Lounge IAD review, I’ll run through the food, wifi speed, seating and other lounge amenities so you can decide if this is worth a visit on your next trip to Washington Dulles / IAD.
United Polaris Lounge access requirements
To access any United Polaris Lounge, you must meet one of three requirements:
- Flying United Polaris business class for a long-haul international flight – no guests, but you can access a lounge at departure, connecting and arrival airports
- Flying long-haul international first class on a Star Alliance member airline – one guest and access only at the departure airport for your international first class flight
- Flying long-haul international business class on a Star Alliance member airline – no guests and access only at the departure airport for your international first class flight
My son and I were flying business class on EgyptAir, and departing from Washington Dulles (IAD-CAI), so we both had access to the United Polaris Lounge IAD
Washington DC United IAD Polaris airport lounge location
The IAD Polaris airport lounge location is in Terminal C at IAD, near Gates C17 and C18.
Most of the international business Star Alliance flights seem to depart from the B Terminal, so if you are accessing the United Polaris Lounge IAD by virtue of flying Star Alliance business class (like I was), make sure to leave yourself extra time to switch terminals. I’d estimate about 10-15 minutes to go from Terminal C to Terminal B.
If you prefer, you will likely have access to the Turkish Airlines IAD lounge, though it is much worse than the IAD Polaris Lounge.
IAD Polaris Lounge Washington Dulles airport lounge seating
There are quite a few seating options available at the United IAD Polaris Lounge. When I was there around 8:30 a.m. the lounge was nearly empty, which meant that I basically had the run of the place.
United Polaris Lounge IAD Review: food
There are plentiful United Polaris Lounge IAD food options, with snack stations located throughout the lounge
There is also a full United Polaris Lounge IAD buffet line. There are actually 2 separate (I assume identical) stations, but when I was there, only one was open (serving breakfast), due to the dearth of people in the lounge.
The United Polaris Lounge IAD also has a completely separate “Dining Room” which is a sit-down restaurant.
I forgot to snap a picture of the menu when I was there, but I had the Eggs Benedict, which was outstanding.
My son had the breakfast sandwich, which he also enjoyed
Washington Dulles / IAD Polaris airport lounge wifi
The Washington / IAD Polaris airport lounge wifi was lightning fast
So as you can imagine given that speed test, I had no problem whatsoever using the Internet.
IAD Polaris Lounge airport lounge amenities
There is a hallway with individual all-gender restrooms (similar to the Capital One DFW lounge)
They have shower suites and quiet rooms available, though I did not go into either of them.
There is also a bar with a variety of alcoholic beverage options.
Included in the seating options were a few computers operating as a business center
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The Bottom Line – IAD Polaris Lounge Review
If you have access to the IAD Polaris Lounge, you will almost certainly want to spend some time here as opposed to any other lounge at Washington Dulles. It will be interesting to see how the new Capital One Lounge compares when it finally opens. The food is outstanding (including a sit-down restaurant), the seating options are plentiful including some with great tarmac views. The Wifi is great and it’s definitely a place you’ll want to make sure to leave time to visit.
Have you been to the IAD Polaris Lounge before? What did you think? Leave a note in the comments
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
I came back from London before flying on to Hartford specifically so I could check out this lounge. It is a terrific space – but is very crowded late afternoon/early evening before the bank of transatlantic flights. It got quiet again after 8 or 9. Great space
Cap One Lounge just started construction. Announced more than 3 years ago. That was two annual fees ago, Cap One! Bait and switch.
Are you sure you can access the Polaris Lounge on “arrival” (to your final destination ?
(…”no guests, but you can access a lounge at departure, connecting and airports)
” – no guests, but you can access a lounge at departure, connecting and — arrival airports.”
I haven’t been able to access the Polaris SFO lounge on arrival. 🙁
This page seems to indicate you can (if you are flying United Polaris). If you’re flying a Star Alliance partner you wouldn’t be able to though, if my understanding of the rules is correct