When you think of an airport lounge, you think of well…lounging. But now, United is taking a new approach and launching grab-and-go style lounges designed for quick pit stops instead of a long, sit-down experience.
No booze, no bathrooms — but better options
The first ‘United Club Fly’ to-go-style lounge was opened in Denver. While it may not have alcohol or bathrooms like a traditional lounge, it does have a wide variety of individually packaged gourmet meals and juices as well as made-to-order coffee. United Club members simply scan their boarding pass to get in and then they can take as many snacks as they want.
It makes sense that United picked Denver to launch the new concept since more than two-thirds of United flights that come through the airport are connecting flights. The intention is to help travelers with tight connections grab whatever they need before they need to jet off to their next flight.
One size doesn’t fit all
Alex Dorrow, United’s managing director of lounges shared, “We realized that we couldn’t continue to have a one-size-fits-all lounge mentality. It’s intentionally different from our other lounges, meant to serve a particular need.”
The lounge, which in my opinion looks like an upscale Amazon Go, was designed to look like a ski lodge to keep with the local Colorado theme. No word yet as to whether or not there will be a JFK lounge designed to resemble a New York City bodega.