The Swissport Lounge at Chicago O'Hare Terminal 5, which I've called the worst lounge in the United States, has quietly closed. Here's what we know about what's next.
The Swissport Lounge at Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD) Terminal 5 has just quietly closed. I’m about as sad as I’ll be on the day when Delta retires its latest Boeing 767-300ER…
Historically, Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5 has been a pretty lousy facility, though it has started to get better in recent years, thanks to an expansion to the terminal, and also thanks to the opening of new lounges.
Arguably the single most disappointing thing about Terminal 5 was the Swissport Lounge, which I’ve labeled the worst lounge in the United States — clearly many people agreed with me, since my review of the lounge had over 200 comments. It’s just truly one of those facilities that makes you wonder why we even bother using lounges.
The lounge had no windows, the most random collection of furniture, and a very limited selection of drinks and snacks. Unless you wanted to just guzzle alcohol, you’d be better off sitting in the terminal, in my opinion. Unfortunately for all too long, many premium airlines sent their customers here, given the lack of other lounge options. It’s quite underwhelming to be flying business class on a carrier like Etihad Airways or Qatar Airways, and then be sent here.
That brings us to the interesting update — the Swissport Lounge Chicago has closed as of October 31, 2026, so passengers are no longer being subjected to this facility.
It remains to be seen what happens with this lounge space, as that hasn’t been announced one way or another. In April 2025, Swissport’s head of North America lounges said that the company had “submitted a proposal to the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) for a multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion of our current Terminal 5 lounge at O’Hare International Airport.” However, I haven’t been able to find any updates on that, so I’m not sure what the latest is there.
It’s worth acknowledging just how much better the lounge situation at Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5 has gotten in recent years:
If we get another lounge at Terminal 5, that would of course be awesome, so I’m curious to see how this evolves. Chicago O’Hare is the biggest airport in the country to not have any sort of a credit card branded lounge, so I hope that eventually changes. The issue is the extent to which the terminals are dominated by their primary tenants (American and United), combined with the lack of airside connections to Terminal 5.
The Swissport Lounge Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5 has suddenly closed. I’m not sad to see the United States’ worst airport lounge close, though I am curious to see what is next for this space. Fortunately the Terminal 5 lounge situation has improved nicely in recent years, and there are now several solid new options. I do wish we’d still see a proper credit card lounge, though.
What do you make of the Swissport Lounge Chicago closing? Are you happy or elated?
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I loved this lounge yes it was a windowless mess and the first time i went in i couldnt believe this was a lounge. But it grew on me. Now the wingtips will be overcrowded im sure. Sad day.
"I am curious to see what is next for this space." Hell a janitors closet would be an upgrade. The writing was on the wall when even the cockroaches started boycotting the place.
Wow! The place really was a POS. You should have added some closeups of the furniture. It was so worn and haggard, it looked like stuff pulled from a landfill. It was honestly was so bad I don't know how Swissport could even want their name on the place.
IIRC the British Airways First Class lounge at O'Hare would be hard to beat as the worst lounge ever.
Man, I thought the IASS Lounge at HNL was the worst in the country. At least it has windows!
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