United Airlines is betting big at their Denver hub announcing a large route expansion, new gates, a United Club Fly quick grab & go as well as two new United Club lounges. Two new lounges have opened this year, promising expansive seating and for the first time, lounge access in terminal A. Let’s head inside and check out one of United Airlines newest lounges in Denver.
Who Can Access The Lounge
United Airlines has specific United Club access policies for lounge entry. There are many different ways to Access United Clubs through credit cards, airline status and one time passes. Some ways to access a United Club include:
- An international Business Class United ticket (including Canada).
- A Business Class United premium transcon (Newark to Los Angles / San Francisco).
- First Class on a Star Alliance member airline.
- A United Club membership or Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge membership.
- Star Alliance Gold members.
- Select MileagePlus credit card holders.
- Active duty military and family members (subject to capacity).
Entering The Lounge
To get to the United Club in terminal A there are a few options at Denver International Airport. Passengers entering from the Jeppesen Terminal (ticketing hall) can use the main TSA checkpoints and then take the automated people mover one stop. There is an additional checkpoint near the pedestrian bridge which connects the Jeppesen terminal to terminal A. While this option offers amazing ramp views, there is no TSA precheck at this location. Once in terminal A it is a short walk to the lounge located near gate 26. After taking the escalators up, there are service desks and automated lanes to enter the lounge.
First Impressions
Checking into the lounge, we greeted the agent with a warm hello only to get a stern return of “do you even have a club membership?” After confirming she directed us over to the automated kiosks where scanning boarding passes grants access. These kiosks are also available in United Clubs at Newark (EWR). After entering, there are seating options to the right and left. Going right leads to a long bar area as well as the drinks and buffet areas. Overall the space felt tight with a majority of the seats taken. The tight space is contributed to the overall layout in which the center of the lounge overlooks the gate areas below dividing the space into two. A majority of the artwork and interior design appears to have taken inspiration from the surrounding Colorado Area. Near the buffet area is a scaled model of a United Airlines 737 paying homage to the airlines mega hub.
Buffet Options
During this visit it was around lunch time. In the buffet area is a coffee station, soda station, mac and cheese, rice, maple mustard chicken, zucchini squash, sandwiches and salads. Overall, the food lacked much flavor with the exception of the desserts. Dessert options consisted of assorted cookies and cinnamon sugar donut holes. There is also a snack bar area consisting of sour patch kids and assorted candys.
Amenities
In addition to offering the usual amenities such as charging, seating etc. the new United Club Denver has a full size shuffle board to play, a fun way to pass the time before the next flight. Another welcome feature are the warm fireplaces on the first and second level. While paper magazines are being phased out electronic magazines can be attained by scanning the QR codes placed throughout the lounge. Throughout the lounge, there is an abundance of power outlets and various seating arrangements aimed at either solo travelers or groups. Being a new lounge it’s no surprise that furnishings are modern yet cozy looking.
Final Boarding Call
The new United Club at Denver International Airport terminal A has allot of positive aspects going for it. The new design brings personality into the lounge compared to older lounges with lackluster cookie cutter interiors. The United Club Denver terminal A interior brings unique elements with inspiration to the local area such as the fireplace and wood furnishings. Having amenities such as a shuffleboard table adds for a fun way to pass the time while adding unique element to the lounge. There are many areas however, where the lounge falls short. The buffet offerings were average and lacked much flavor. They are no different from offerings found in other United Clubs. Another letdown in the lounge was the staff. Staff members working the lounge reception area had a condescending attitude towards passengers arriving into the lounge. Staff inside the lounge were slow to move dirty drink and plates off the tables despite the lounge not being complexly full. Overall the layout of the lounge makes the space feel a bit cramped mainly due to the 2 story open space in the terminal that divides the lounge in half. Despite some shortcomings, the new United Club Denver has great amenities to offer in a modern yet conformable lounge.