United Airlines‘ newest lounge opened at Newark, offering a massive expansion of premium space for its passengers. Located in Terminal C3 near gate C123, this club is the largest club in United’s network, at nearly 30,000 square feet and 480 seats.
Our new Newark Club location is carefully designed with the customer at the forefront with thoughtful touches like murals and décor that reflect the local community. This design theme and commitment to creating a locally-inspired experience will set the precedent for future club openings and renovations across our network.
– Aaron McMillan, United’s managing director of hospitality and planning
Very local design
The idea of “Newark-inspired design” might seem foreign to most people, but the airline draws heavily from locals to develop the space. Yes, skyline views of Manhattan are great. But the art and furniture are much more local.
The new club prominently features two murals created by local artists, Gilbert Hsiao and Dahlia Elsayed, displayed in collaboration with The Newark Museum of Art and Gallery Aferro. Inspired by the musical legacy in the Newark area and United’s iconic history, Hsiao’s mural, located in the club’s entryway, is a deceptively simple, eye-catching piece featuring dots and circles to represent abstract beats in space as well as nod to the United globe. Elsayed’s artwork, situated in the club’s lounge, is an abstract and textural piece, referencing Arshile Gorky’s famous 1936-67 murals at EWR, with imagery inclusive of built and natural environments of the New York / New Jersey area.
“The Newark Museum of Art is honored to be a part of this remarkable tribute to our community and our city,” said Linda Harrison, The Newark Museum of Art’s director and CEO. “May these tremendous artworks inspire and remind our residents and visitors of Newark’s role as a cultural hub for artistic excellence and community cultivation. We are so proud to contribute to this exciting unveiling and pay homage to our special city with these two extraordinary works of art.”
“Artists like Gilbert Hsiao and Dahlia Elsayed have a gift, which is to make the world new for us over and over again,” said Emma Wilcox, Gallery Aferro’s co-founder. “Gallery Aferro is thrilled to see these acclaimed alumni of our residency and fellowship program gain a new global audience of travelers with this project.”
Broad range of amenities
The typical United Club amenities include complimentary beverages and snacks, as well as free WiFi service. This location adds to that, with a full-service coffee bar, featuring illy signature blend used to create hand-crafted drinks.
The lounge also features six spa-like shower suites, stocked with Sunday Riley products. United previously offered showers for club members in the lounge at the C2-C3 connector, before that converted to the Polaris Lounge. Restoring that amenity is a nice win.
Finally, the lounge will offer self-service entry gates. That should help ease traffic flows in and out, an important benefit given the size of the lounge and the anticipated volume of visitors.
The Newark United Club location is the first of a series of United Club locations to open with the new club design and amenities. It’s part of United’s ongoing commitment to renovate and introduce new United Club locations throughout its network and provide a more modern United brand experience.
A favor to ask while you're here...
Did you enjoy the content? Or learn something useful? Or generally just think this is the type of story you'd like to see more of? Consider supporting the site through a donation (any amount helps). It helps keep me independent and avoiding the credit card schlock.
The new lounge seems relaxing and comfortable, got to try it during my next flight. Thanks for sharing Seth.