Who says air travel has to be boring? Sure, we’ve all muddled through the less-than-glamorous experiences of waiting in line, battling flight delays, and trying to avoid crying children in the terminal, but the United States houses several awesome airport lounges that help remove the pain from travel. Prepare to be amazed by the comfort and charm of these exclusive waiting areas.

  1. United Polaris Lounge at Chicago O’Hare International Airport

TripAdvisor/RFA2249 Situated in Terminal 1 of O’Hare, this incredible lounge offers business and first-class United flyers the chance to unwind, relax, and rest before boarding. While delicious cocktails are certainly part of the appeal, the Polaris Lounge sweetens the deal by offering a refreshing shower area, plenty of amazing food, and fantastically fast wifi. What’s not to love?

  1. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK International Airport

Flickr/David Jones Upon setting foot in this beautifully designed lounge, you might just start hoping that your flight is canceled so you can fully unwind. With its modern decor and beautiful lighting, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is sure to impress even the most well-traveled guests. Enjoy a round of pool, dig into an awesome meal, freshen up at the on-site salon, and more. Entry to the lounge is highly controlled, but this spot might just be worth upgrading to first-class for.

  1. Cathay Pacific Lounge at San Francisco SFO

Google Reviews/Jian Wei Chuah With more than 9,000 square feet of luxurious space to explore, this lounge will make you forget that you’re in one of America’s busiest airports. Escape the hustle and bustle of air travel as you visit the espresso bar, check out a quiet workstation, or settle into a luxurious leather chair. The Cathay Pacific Lounge is open to business or first-class travelers flying with Cathay Pacific or Oneworld partners.

  1. Delta SkyClub at JFK International Airport

TripAdvisor/Jon M. We’re back at JFK for this lounge, but trust us when we say that the experience of visiting Delta SkyClub will undoubtedly impress. Watch flights take off and land from the SkyDeck as you enjoy tasty drinks, plenty of ambiance, and a variety of snacks. If that weren’t enough, non-Delta SkyClub members can purchase day entrance to the lounge.

  1. Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport

Google Reviews/QJ Wong Bask in the beauty of an outdoor terrace at this LAX lounge, which will charm you with everything from a waterfall to plenty of lovely views. Unwind in the library, freshen up in a shower suite, or check out the impressive buffet as you prepare for a long-haul flight. Please note: you’ll need to be a Star Alliance Gold Member or a first or business-class passenger on a Star Alliance flight to enter.

Are there any other amazing airport lounges throughout the United States that should have been included on our list? Have you had the chance to relax at one of these lovely spots? Share your best experiences with us in the comment section below!

TripAdvisor/RFA2249

Situated in Terminal 1 of O’Hare, this incredible lounge offers business and first-class United flyers the chance to unwind, relax, and rest before boarding. While delicious cocktails are certainly part of the appeal, the Polaris Lounge sweetens the deal by offering a refreshing shower area, plenty of amazing food, and fantastically fast wifi. What’s not to love?

Flickr/David Jones

Upon setting foot in this beautifully designed lounge, you might just start hoping that your flight is canceled so you can fully unwind. With its modern decor and beautiful lighting, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is sure to impress even the most well-traveled guests. Enjoy a round of pool, dig into an awesome meal, freshen up at the on-site salon, and more. Entry to the lounge is highly controlled, but this spot might just be worth upgrading to first-class for.

Google Reviews/Jian Wei Chuah

With more than 9,000 square feet of luxurious space to explore, this lounge will make you forget that you’re in one of America’s busiest airports. Escape the hustle and bustle of air travel as you visit the espresso bar, check out a quiet workstation, or settle into a luxurious leather chair. The Cathay Pacific Lounge is open to business or first-class travelers flying with Cathay Pacific or Oneworld partners.

TripAdvisor/Jon M.

We’re back at JFK for this lounge, but trust us when we say that the experience of visiting Delta SkyClub will undoubtedly impress. Watch flights take off and land from the SkyDeck as you enjoy tasty drinks, plenty of ambiance, and a variety of snacks. If that weren’t enough, non-Delta SkyClub members can purchase day entrance to the lounge.

Google Reviews/QJ Wong

Bask in the beauty of an outdoor terrace at this LAX lounge, which will charm you with everything from a waterfall to plenty of lovely views. Unwind in the library, freshen up in a shower suite, or check out the impressive buffet as you prepare for a long-haul flight. Please note: you’ll need to be a Star Alliance Gold Member or a first or business-class passenger on a Star Alliance flight to enter.

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