Grab-and-Go Lounge: Impressions of the “United Club Fly” in Houston

A guest post by Sven Sajak

Lounges are a favourite topic of discussion for many travellers. Whether they are airline lounges, by credit card providers like Amex, or private operators, seating, drinks, or usually a buffet are offered to make the wait until departure more pleasant.

A new lounge concept aimed at travellers on the go is now being introduced in some places. In 2018 and 2019, Lufthansa had tried a similar concept with Delights to Go for a while, but discontinued it. Star Alliance member United Airlines is also taking a new approach with its United Club Fly. After such a club was created in Denver last year, United has been welcoming hurried travellers in Houston since last week.

Location

Lounge-hopping enthusiasts will be right at home in Houston. There are five United Clubs and the Polaris Lounge across various terminals at the airport in this Texas city, inviting frequent flyers and business guests of the Star Alliance. However, the United Club in Terminal B has been closed for construction since mid-January. Now, travellers have an alternative in the United Club Fly.

Upon arrival at the Skyway train station, which connects the terminals in Houston, a sign directs passengers to the new Club Fly. Heading into the main area of Terminal B, which is undergoing construction, the club is hard to miss. It is located just before the stairs down to the gates. As of March 2025, it is open daily from 05:30 to 20:00.

Access

At the entrance, another sign informs about the groups of passengers who are allowed to use the club.

According to the United website, even Star Alliance Gold members can only access the lounge with an international flight. Otherwise, the rules are similar to regular United Clubs:

• Star Alliance Gold frequent flyers with an international Star Alliance flight on the same day (United issues contradictory statements if an international flight is required)
• International travellers in Business or First Class
• United Club members with a United/Star Alliance flight
• Holders of a One-Time Pass for United Clubs

However, bringing guests is explicitly not permitted.

Access is granted through two turnstiles that open about five seconds after the boarding pass is scanned. With my boarding pass for a United feeder flight before a United long-haul flight and my registered Star Alliance Gold status with United, the gate opened.

Impressions from the “Lounge”

Upon entering the lounge, the café bar immediately stands out, serving as the focal point of the lounge. After a warm welcome from the staff behind the counter, guests are actively offered coffee specialities, freshly squeezed orange juice, or a hot snack like a toasted sandwich, croissant, or pastry. The snacks are similar to those available in self-service areas.

The ordering process and the offerings resemble those of classic coffeehouse chains – different milk and milk alternatives are available for coffee, and the order is completed with the guest’s name before being freshly prepared.

To the left of the bar, there is a shelf with various types of chips. In the middle, there is a self-service area with filtered coffee and a water dispenser, similar to those found in Amex Centurion Lounges. Guests can also refill their water bottles at two additional water dispensers.

The core of the offering is the long refrigerator wall at the back of the club, which spans the full width and somewhat resembles the convenience stores at American airports. Behind the first two refrigerator doors are bottles of Tropicana juices, milk drinks, and cans of Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Sprite, and Seagram Ginger Ale.

Culinary offerings continue behind the four doors next to it: pastries filled with spinach and cheese or ham and cheese, chicken cheddar, Caprese subs, and a “Big Italy” wrap are available, as well as various salads and a cheese-grape bowl. The necessary disposable cutlery and napkins can be found at the back of the bar. The staff joked that although they were repeatedly asked, they did not offer tote bags to take your “grocery shopping” home.

For those who can’t wait to try everything, there are two standing table areas located to the right as you enter. However, there are no seating options, which further emphasizes the “grab-and-go” concept the airline follows with this lounge. Orders from the café bar are served directly at the exit by the baristas after they call the guest’s name.

Conclusion

With the United Club Fly, the American airline is taking a new direction and adapting to the needs of travellers who, in an increasingly hectic world, just want a quick “snack” on the go. The offering, with barista coffee and small sandwiches, is vaguely reminiscent of Lufthansa’s Senator Café at Munich Airport. Whether this concept will succeed in the future remains to be seen. It is, at most, a replacement for lounges at less busy airports. At major hubs, however, it is a welcome addition.

Translated by Ditmar

Cover Picture: United Club Fly in Houston | Sven Sajak