On Wednesday morning this week Singapore Airlines revealed details of their upcoming re-launch of non-stop flights to Newark using their upcoming A350ULR aircraft. Services on the route, which will involve flight times of up to 18 hours 45 minutes, will restart on 11th October 2018 following a nearly five-year hiatus.
Star Alliance passengers flying through Newark in First Class or Business Class as early as next week however will have access the brand new United Airlines Polaris lounge, which opens its doors at 4.30am on Monday.
Access
The access policy for United Polaris lounges is stricter than many because frequent flyer status alone isn’t going to be sufficient. To use this lounge you will have to be travelling in first or business class on a long-haul flight with United Airlines or a Star Alliance carrier.
If you’re flying on the new non-stop SQ21 flight in premium economy as a Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold status member, unfortunately you won’t be entitled to access this particular lounge, only business class passengers are eligible.
Business class passengers are additionally not permitted to bring any guests into the lounge, while if you’re flying first class (for example on a Star Alliance carrier) you will be entitled to invite one guest provided they are travelling on the same flight as you.
That means if you’re lucky enough to be flying business on SQ21 and have a friend in premium economy on the same flight you won’t be able to guest them into this lounge.
Location
Herein lies the complication for Singapore Airlines passengers. United’s new Polaris lounge at Newark is located in Terminal C, between Gates C102 and C120, however Singapore Airlines will be operating from Terminal B along with other Star Alliance airlines like Lufthansa, SAS and Swiss.
It means in order to use this lounge you will need to proceed from Terminal B to Terminal C after checking in for your flight then clear security there. Prior to your departure having enjoyed the Polaris lounge you’ll need to allow some extra time to take the shuttle bus from Gate C71 to Terminal B (it generally runs to Terminal A but will stop at Terminal B provided you have a Star Alliance boarding card).
The other alternative is to exit the Terminal C airside area, return to Terminal B and clear security again there.
If you don’t want to go throug