Is the saddest airport lounge in the country here in Chicago? Some may say that it is.
The Swissport Lounge at O’Hare International Airport is getting a bad rap for its bare bones service.
A Wall Street Journal report is giving readers an inside look at the tiny windowless lounge, located at O’Hare’s International Terminal 5, Concourse M.
According to the New York City-based newspaper, Swissport Lounge is open to first-class and business-class travelers on several international airlines — as well as Priority Pass members.
The report compares the lounge’s food to a convenient store with “mediocre food” that include cups of instant noodles and prepackaged pasta salad. There are no bartenders, so visitors mix their own drinks at the self-serve bar.
The columnist goes on to say that it is loud and crowded, with seats and power outlets very hard to come by.
Yelp gives the lounge a 1.5 out of 5 rating, with patron reviews mostly sharing their dissatisfaction.
“This is basically feels like your uncles living room. A few snacks, beverages, and a mixture of well used furniture…”
“This place is embarrassing no one should call it lounge, BURGER KING across it is much more presentable.”
“By far, the worst lounge I’ve ever experienced. What’s the purpose of keeping this open. Places like this are only seen in horror movies.”
But, there is hope on the horizon for this tiny windowless airport lounge.
According to Jorge Da Silva, the head of North America lounges for Swissport, a proposal has been submitted for the lounge to undergo a huge makeover.
“Swissport has indeed 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,” Da Silva confirmed to WGN News.
The aviation company is currently awaiting approval.
