United Airlines entices business travelers with Newark Airport lounge

United Airlines will formally open the third edition of its United Polaris lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 4.

Building upon the airline's international premium travel experience under the Polaris brand, the lounge will serve the New Jersey airport, one of United's most important hubs.

"I like to say we are the heartbeat of the system," said Jill Kaplan, president, New York/New Jersey for United. "More United customers begin their journey in the New York/New Jersey region than in any other of our hub cities."

The lounge features more than 400 seats with 15 different types of seating, 10 private daybeds and 10 shower suites. Upon entering the lounge, visitors are greeted by an elaborate lighting fixture that mimics the constellations of the 12 zodiac signs.

Dining choices include a bistro-like buffet with a do-it-yourself bagel bar, plus sandwiches and wraps such as a curried salmon salad with cucumber raita and baby spinach on a pumpernickel roll as well as a charcuterie board.

Mark Krolick, a vice-president of marketing for United, said the lounge is designed to include all the amenities travelers want in an airport.

It's especially crafted for businesspersons who may be arriving after a long flight from Shanghai for example. "You can come in and get a shower," Krolick said. "That is especially helpful if you are going straight to a meeting."

If you are waiting for a connecting flight to another destination, "we have rest areas which have full beds with Saks Fifth Avenue bedding", he said.

International air travel has been gaining momentum, and travel between China and the US has been rising as economic ties expand.

"We have been working hard on the China market," said Krolick. "United is the largest carrier between the US and China. We now fly to Chengdu so we are entering some of the secondary markets in China."

United has Polaris lounges in Chicago and San Francisco and expects to open others in Houston and Los Angeles this year.

United is also accelerating the pace in reconfiguring planes with Polaris international business class seats. They plan to roll out one Polaris-equipped plane every 10 days through 2020.

Contact the writer at paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com