Access to the United Polaris Lounge is strictly reserved for passengers traveling in United Polaris business class on long-haul international flights or those in international business or first class on a Star Alliance partner airline. Generally, you can enter the lounge as soon as it opens on the day of your departure, provided you have a valid boarding pass. Most Polaris Lounges, such as those in Newark, Chicago O'Hare, or San Francisco, open between 5:00 AM and 6:30 AM. Because the lounge is meant to be part of the pre-departure experience, there is no formal "limit" on how many hours before your flight you can enter, as long as it is the same day. For example, if you have a 10:00 PM flight to London, you could technically spend the entire day there starting from the morning opening. However, if you are arriving from a long-haul flight and connecting to a domestic segment, you also have access upon arrival. In 2026, these lounges remain a premier refuge, offering spa-like showers, private daybeds, and full sit-down dining, making an early arrival highly desirable to maximize the value of a business class ticket.