Club MDW: What to expect at Midway Airport's first ever lounge
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I recently took a tour of Midway Airport's first-ever lounge, The Club MDW.
Why it matters: Mayor Brandon Johnson and other city leaders are ramping up amenities at Chicago's smaller airport, such as expanded concessions and now the lounge, in an effort to attract more flyers to what was once Chicago's only airport.
State of play: The new lounge is part of the Midway Modernization Project, which is run by the Chicago Department of Aviation and a group of private companies, including Midway Partnership, which oversees The Club MDW.
What to expect: The lounge is located next to the Central Market between the A and B concourse and Priority Pass holders can get in for free while other guests can pay $50 for a day pass.
- In the morning, there's breakfast fare like waffles topped with blueberries, scrambled eggs with cheese, mini muffins, coffee and tea.
- It switches to a lunch buffet at 11am and always includes a vegetarian option, a rep from Midway Partnership told me.
- There's also an open bar and free WiFi.
Yes, but: Capacity is 65 people seated and 97 standing so there's a chance The Club MDW will be full if you want some snacks or a "Chicago Fizz" cocktail before heading to your gate.
Caveat: The restrooms don't have showers like some airport lounges.
The vibe: The same as most airport lounges — someone reading the Wall Street Journal, another watching a show on their iPad, parents sipping wine and beer while their kids are distracted by screens.
What to try and what to skip: Get the tasty, strong coffee (unless you want to nap on the flight). The eggs were surprisingly fluffy and the mini muffins were moist and sweet.
- Skip the dry waffles.