United Airlines Closes Additional United Clubs - Live and Let's Fly

3/20/20 Update

United will close five more clubs; two effective today and three on Saturday:

Now closed:

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• Raleigh-Durham - RDU - United Club
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• London Heathrow - LHR - Arrivals Lounge

Tomorrow (3/21), the following three lounges will close:

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• Mexico City - MEX - United Club
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• Guam - GUM - United Club
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• Tokyo - NRT - United Club

I've added all five to the complete list below. Expect more closures in the weeks ahead.

United is temporarily closing all of its Polars Lounges and several United Clubs at hubs across the United States as well as in London and Tokyo Narita.

The closures are effective tomorrow, Wednesday March 18th. United blames the significant reduction in travel demand due to COVID-19 for the closures.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to have a significant impact on travel demand result in far fewer customers visiting the airports where we do business. As a result, we will temporarily suspend operations at certain United Club and Polaris lounge locations until further notice.

Here's the full list of closures:

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• DEN West B32 United Club
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• EWR C93 pop-up United Club
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• EWR Polaris lounge
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• EWR A2 United Club
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• GUM United Club
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• IAD C4 United Club
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• IAD C7 United Club
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• IAH Polaris lounge
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• IAH A9 United Club
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• IAH B Mezzanine United Club
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• IAH C33 United Club
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• LAX Polaris lounge
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• MEX United Club
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• ORD Polaris lounge
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• ORD B18 United Club
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• ORD T2 United Club
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• RDU United Club
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• SFO Temp BAE Mezzanine United Club
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• SFO E4 United Club
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• SFO Polaris lounge
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• NRT VIP section (former Global First lounge)
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• NRT United Club
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• LHR VIP section (former Global First lounge)
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• LHR Arrivals

No potential re-opening dates have been announced.

CONCLUSION

With premium demand severely depressed, it is not surprising to see United close its flagship Polaris lounges. This also serves as another way to preserve revenue, as the a la carte menus, enhanced buffet, and additional staff cost more money. The closures leave 1-2 United Club open at each hub. Outstations are not yet impacted.