…

For the first time in its 96-year history, Chicago’s Midway International Airport (MDW) will be home to an airport lounge.

On Wednesday, Airport Dimensions will open The Club MDW, a 3,265-square-foot lounge that will be the latest outpost in a growing network of clubs.

The space will be open daily from 4 am to 10 pm and will be available to anyone flying from MDW.

Travelers with Priority Passes will enjoy free access to Club MDW, and Day Passes will also be available to all Midway passengers for $50 with a valid departure boarding pass.

“The fact that this is the first shared-use lounge in Midway’s 96-year history, we needed to do something special. … So the fact that we can be the first is a really special and proud moment for us,” Chris Gwilliam. , vice president of global business development for Airport Dimensions, said in an exclusive interview with TPG.

The lounge itself is located in MDW’s Central Market, at the intersection of Concourses A and B. It was designed to draw inspiration from Chicago’s Art Deco and mid-century modern architectural styles, and, as such, features striking design elements. This includes monochromatic tones and arched walls.

In addition to design, the lounge also features photography by two renowned local artists, Mark Hersh and Angie McMonigal. These depictions of Chicago’s urban landscape further the local touch that The Club has created in this space.

“It’s uniquely designed; it’s a one-of-a-kind design. You won’t see that design anywhere else,” Gwilliam said.

Perks of Travel: 9 Domestic Lounges That Are Worth Your Visit

Other highlights include a variety of seating options, from seats designed for relaxation to more productivity-inspiring workstations. The club says 90% of the seats in the new lounge are equipped with power outlets.

The club has partnered with several local food-and-beverage outlets for dining options. It offers craft beers from Revolution Brewing and Two Brothers Brewing Company along with spirits from Chicago-based Koval Distillery. Meanwhile, the lounge menu reflects the city’s vibrant culinary scene at the buffet.

The focal point of the lounge will be the bar, where travelers can enjoy complimentary signature cocktails such as Chicago Fizz and Southside.

Of course, at nearly 3,300 square feet, I imagine the space will get extremely busy. There are only seats for 76 passengers, and given the popularity of the Priority Pass program, I imagine the line to get into the lounge will be quite long, especially during peak departure banks and irregular operations.

Also, Midway is primarily served by Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines, and both budget carriers do not operate their own lounges.

“It’s fair to say we’d love more space, and hopefully, in the future, who knows, we might have an opportunity to grow,” Gwilliam explained.

So, while it’s undoubtedly exciting for MDW to have its first airport lounge, I wouldn’t necessarily count on being able to visit the space on your next trip unless you’re passing through during a quiet period.

To manage waitlists, the airport is investing in Dimension technology.

“We’ve introduced a system called WaitWhile, which allows people to digitally manage if they don’t have the capacity available at that time. And then we can text people while they go out and enjoy the concert,” Gwilliam said.

Related Reading: