While the standalone British Airways First Lounge at Chicago ORD Terminal 5 has closed, passengers departing in First Class now have access to a boutique dining room within the BA Terraces Lounge.
The Terraces Lounge, which preceded the current Galleries design, is located after security between Gate M11 and M12. The entrance is also slightly recessed between a Garrett Popcorn store and Lego vending machine.
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British Airways First Class Dining Room Review
Upon presenting my First Class boarding pass at lounge reception, I was warmly welcomed and invited to the First Dining Room. Located behind a curtain next to the entrance, the dining area has fewer than 10 tables for two in a small space at one end of the buffet area.
To be clear, this dining room is not in the league of the Qantas First Class Lounge in Sydney nor The Pier First Class in Hong Kong but BA should be commended for creating something for passengers in First within the limited lounge footprint in Terminal 5.
Two servers attended to the tables, which was plenty given there are a maximum of 14 First Class seats on a plane leaving Chicago. Service was excellent with menus delivered and drink orders taken immediately.
I stuck with water given the excellent selection of Champagne available on board, including a Top 5 entry in Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle.
A smoked salmon starter with creme fraiche and capers was lovely and light.
The roasted trout main was well cooked and moist with the vegetables making for a classic accompaniment.
Dessert was an excellent sticky toffee pudding, served warm and with plenty of sauce as it should be. This dish brought back happy undergraduate memories of desserts at Burgmann back in the day and was the highlight of the meal.
The First Dining Room gives passengers the option to dine on the ground and sleep for most of the flight to London, which makes most sense for BA296 departing at 9:15PM, or as an afternoon snack service for those departing on the earlier BA294 service at 4:50PM. It’s also a quieter space than the main Terraces lounge to relax before the flight.
First Dining Room Menu
An all day menu with three options for starters, salads, mains and desserts is impressive given the maximum number of guests per day is 28 (across two flights to London).
There was also a comprehensive drinks menu, including ‘real’ Champagne and a selection of American wine and global spirits. Servers were happy to get basic cocktails made up also.
British Airways First Class Lounge Chicago Access
Access to the First Dining Room at Chicago is limited to passengers flying First Class on British Airways metal.
Due to the small size of the lounges in outstations like Chicago, British Airways lounges in America are notoriously strict at admitting only passengers travelling on BA metal (even going so far as denying their own top tier Executive Club Gold elites access when travelling other OneWorld carriers).
Other ORD Lounges For British Airways First Class Passengers
Unfortunately, there aren’t any great lounge options at ORD Terminal 5 for departing British Airways First Class passengers. None of the available lounges have showers so those with sufficient time before boarding can take the airside bus (i.e. no need to go through TSA screening) to Terminal 3 where American Airlines have their excellent Flagship Lounge.
Summary
The First Dining Room is a good effort by British Airways to offer a premium ground experience at Chicago O’Hare Terminal 5 despite the small lounge footprint. Food and service were both good and made for a relaxed experience before the flight to London.
