Experience the Air France Lounge in Chicago: Comfortable and Full of Delights

Overview of the Air France Lounge in Chicago

Located at Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD), the Air France Lounge serves as an exciting spot for travelers before their transatlantic journeys. Situated in Terminal 5, this lounge is well-appointed but not overly large, providing comfortable seating and a varied menu for you and your family.

Operating Hours and Location

The lounge is open daily from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM, conveniently located near gate M17, right next to the LOT Polish Lounge. Anyone traveling in business class on a SkyTeam flight or holding a SkyTeam elite card can access this lounge. Notably, the lounge is also part of the Priority Pass program, but access is limited to the hours of 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

During my visit on Christmas Eve, I found the lounge quite crowded since the Delta Sky Club was closed, leading to a bustling atmosphere with many people waiting in line.

Seating Arrangements

The Air France Lounge spans approximately 470 square meters, accommodating up to 105 guests. All seating is arranged in a spacious layout, with a bar on one side and a food buffet on the other. Although it was initially quite busy, the atmosphere became much more relaxed after about 30 minutes.

Food and Beverages

Guests in the lounge were clearly hungry, especially my kids. Everyone was almost jostling around the buffet. The food selection included both hot and cold dishes such as salads, quiches, cold cuts, soups, shepherd's pie, and tandoori chicken. I was quite impressed with the quality of the food, even though it was initially crowded.

There is a self-service area with coffee, tea, water, and soft drinks, while the bar offers alcoholic beverages. If you're not keen on eating before a long flight, stopping by here is a fantastic option.

Restrooms and Showers

The lounge features restrooms for both men and women, as well as an accessible restroom that includes a shower. I couldn’t take pictures of the restroom since it was in use, but I can attest that it was clean and convenient.

Lockers

Close to the entrance, there are six lockers available for guests, which can be secured with a four-digit code that you set yourself. This is a handy feature for storing small luggage while you relax.

Conclusion

Initially, I was put off by the crowd in the lounge, but I believe it was mainly due to the Delta Sky Club being closed that evening. The Air France Lounge genuinely boasts an attractive design, airport views, and a rich menu selection. It far surpasses the nearby Swissport lounge, which was equally crowded and refused entry to Priority Pass holders. After leaving, I noticed the lounge became significantly less busy in a short amount of time. Overall, it was a delightful experience!