Chicago O’Hare International Airport is one of the busiest and largest airports in the USA. Four of the five terminals are designed to handle domestic flights, and Terminal 5 is solely dedicated to International destinations.
The two available Priority Pass Chicago Lounges are both in Terminal 5: Swissport Lounge Chicago and the Air France – KLM Lounge.
Here’s our review of Swissport Lounge in Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
By the way, don’t confuse this lounge with the Swiss Airlines Business lounge, which is next to Gate M9.
Although they may sound similar, Swissport is a huge aviation logistics company, which also happens to operate a few airport lounges around the world.
When we fly, we always take our Priority Pass to get into over 1,200 lounges at airports around the world (and get discounts at several restaurants!) If you travel, consider getting a Priority Pass Membership and stop paying for drinks and food at the airport!
Swissport Lounge Location
Swissport Lounge is in International Terminal 5, between Gates M7 and M8. Its front door literally faces the other Chicago Priority Pass Lounge – KLM/Air France Lounge.
Find the hallway next to the Big Bowl to your left if you come from the shuttle bus or security.
Accessing Chicago Swissport Lounge
Swissport Lounge Chicago has contracts with several major airlines, including Turkish Airlines, Norwegian, and Hainan Airlines.
Their premium cabin passengers all have access to the Swissport Lounge Chicago.
The easiest and cheapest way to access this Chicago first class lounge is with a Priority Pass. It also allows you to enter more than 1200 other airport lounges around the world.
A day pass to the Swissport Lounge Chicago costs $40.
Swissport Lounge O’Hare layout
Swissport Lounge is not very big. It is basically a square room with an open concept. Around the edges, you’ll find smaller rooms.
There are no windows or natural light; however, the lighting designer did a good job creating a cozy ambiance from the interior lights.
The design style follows Zen inspiration, with warm wood paneling and smaller trees.
There are several seating options throughout the lounge. A few couches are arranged to create smaller “rooms” within a larger room for groups or family.
If you opt to sit at tables, there are a few wide surface glass ones here.
There are a few cubicles behind the food bar with nine different places where you can work.
Although there are no computers, these stations are great if you carry your own or if you need to charge anything, really. Swissport ORD Lounge unfortunately lacks many charging stations.
They are only available here at the work stations.
In the back room, there’s a more relaxing area where you can sit and watch a big screen TV.
Food at the Swissport ORD
During the day to late afternoon, don’t expect much from Swissport Lounge. They only offer limited options, like crackers, cheese, some cookies, granola bars, and other smaller snacks.
They have Maruchan Instant Noodle bowls as well.
Although there isn’t a lot of food available, Swissport Lounge Chicago offers an impressive selection of cheese for the amount of food they have.
You can find a tray full of Tillamook cheese, including Monterey Jack and Medium Cheddar, as well as Brie Cheese Wedges.
Food selection is much better once it gets to dinner time.
At 5 PM, the staff sets up the hot bar, which on my visit included sweet barbecue meatballs, dinner rolls and veggie/fruit platters.
They also put out some packed sandwiches in the fridge as well: Tomato and Mozzarella for vegetarians, Chicken Salad and Swiss Turkey sandwiches for everyone else.
Drink Selection at Swissport Lounge Chicago
Swissport Lounge at Chicago O’Hare Airport offers a self-serve bar, which includes some basic liquor, along with Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio in individual bottles.
Beers lovers, you can choose from several domestic bottled beers, such as Sam Adams and Goose Island Urban Wheat Ale.
They also offer Heineken and Amstel Light.
Individual cans of Coca-Cola brand sodas and juices are available, as well as a water station for cold and hot water.
A coffee machine offers options to make regular coffee and milk-based drinks such as lattes and cappuccino.
Tea selections are basic Lipton black tea and the Bigelow Classic Green Tea.
Things to know
Swissport Lounge Chicago Hours
The Swissport Lounge Chicago is open from noon to 21:30 daily. It’s closed on Christmas and New Years Day.
Wi-Fi Connections at Chicago O’Hare Airport
While Chicago International Airport has its own free Wi-Fi network, the Swissport Lounge at ORD offers two different networks.
Unfortunately it was extremely slow during my first try, perhaps due to the crowd using all the bandwidth. You can always try the second network if the first one doesn’t work well.
Once the crowd thinned out, the connection was considerably faster than before. I had no issues with it.
Hi-Tech Toilet in the Bathroom
The bathrooms are in the foyer by the check-in desk. That means that, technically, you can enter through the sliding doors to use the lounge’s bathrooms without checking in.
Unfortunately, it also means you might have to reassure the attendants that you already checked in after using the bathrooms.
The bathrooms are extremely bare and not well maintained. However, I was extremely surprised to see a high-tech Japanese toilet in the men’s restroom stall.
Pulsating spray, warm air butt-dryer, etc.
Sadly, it was broken when I was ready to use it.
There is no shower facility in the Swissport Lounge.
Wheelchair Access
The layout of Swissport Lounge Chicago is wheelchair accessible.
Keep in mind that during busy hours, it may be more challenging to navigate around the crowd due to its tight space.
Charging Stations
To my surprise, there is a massive shortage of charging stations inside the lounge. I’ve seen people scrambling around to find one, only to be disappointed since there are only limited numbers of plugs.
A great area to charge your electronics is the work stations, which has a power outlet on the desk.
Luggage rack
Luggage racks are available for your use.
Magazines and Newspaper Rack
They are available for your use inside the lounge (don’t take them with you)
Staff is friendly
The general consensus across the airport lounges community is that the staff at the Swissport Lounge Chicago is friendlier than the KLM – Air France Lounge Chicago.
For popular flights, such as the Hainan Airlines flights, the staff walks around and announces to passengers when it’s time to board the flight – they even made the announcement in Mandarin!
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Conclusion
Because they are directly across from each other, Swissport Lounge Chicago is often compared to the Air France – KLM lounge.
While both lounges enforce the rule on Priority Pass hours, many people find that, even with the lack of hot food and other selections, Swissport Lounge Chicago is a winner.
The staff are friendlier, and there are fewer visitors that crowd the lounge area.
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Halef moved from Indonesia to the US nearly two decades ago to go to college here. He hasn’t looked back. He’s been to over forty countries and doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He’s a Landscape Architect in Atlanta, GA.
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