Grumpy security agents, the threat of flight delays, crowds massing at the gate: Together, they’re a recipe for traveler stress. If you have access, airport lounges can be a serene haven in which to counter it. Lounges have become easier to access and, at times, overcrowded.
As airports open more of them, travelers should recognize the major do’s and don’ts. For fliers entering a lounge for the first (or 500th) time, here’s our etiquette guide to keeping the peace within the club. You’ve strolled into the lounge, and the doors to your airport retreat close behind you.
Now, only one person separates you from the breakfast buffet and a preflight mimosa: the lounge agent. "Be courteous to the people who are checking you in, much like flight attendants on a plane,” said Diane Gottsman, an international etiquette expert and founder of the Protocol School of Texas. Don’t just assume you have entry.
One lounge may be accessible with the right credit card, while another lounge next door could be restricted to certain premium passengers. Figure out which lounge you have access to arriving at the airport. A bonus: If you have multiple lounge options, a little research can tell you in advance which has the better champagne (or soften the disappointment if they don’t have any).
Typically, airport lounges are shared public spaces. If a lounge is particularly popular, that might even mean a line to get in. Gottsman said that as with any public domain, there should be certain expectations of courtesy and respect.
"Be conscientious of available seating, and don’t spread your belongings across several tables and chairs,” she said. When charging your devices, avoid monopolizing multiple power outlets if there are only a limited number available. The lounge also is not the place to conduct personal grooming sessions.
Flight delays happen, but if you need to take a quick snooze, keep to one seat rather than sprawling out. This is not your living room (or bedroom, for that matter). Thankfully, a handful of lounges, like Minute Suites, offer semiprivate nap pods.
And, for the love of all good things, please leave your shoes and socks on. Many airport lounges have instituted time limits, including the ability to enter only when departing - and not when arriving. Capital One Lounges, for instance, do not allow access more than three hours before your flight departure time.
That means you can’t use these particular lounges as a dining room or home office all day. No matter the rules, however, perhaps squatting in a lounge isn’t the most polite thing, especially if people are waiting to get in. Sure, the reason you’re going into a lounge may be to indulge in a few drinks and sate your appetite.
But with exclusive access comes responsibility. When it comes to alcohol, a lack of self-constraint is more than a matter of etiquette; it might also prevent you from boarding a flight. "Gate agents and flight attendants can most certainly boot a passenger off a plane if they seem too intoxicated since it’s a safety issue,” said Stella Shon, a consumer travel expert at Upgraded Points.
As for the all-you-can-eat buffet? Perhaps save the overindulging for your destination, Gottman advised. And, for sanitary reasons, use the proper utensils and serving ware when retrieving food. Finally, respect the rules of the dining area.
"If there’s no clear indication you’re supposed to take things to go, don’t,” Gottman said. Be mindful of your speaking volume. It’s best not to be self-important person on the phone, loudly spewing confidential information for the entire lounge to hear.
And it’s even worse if that individual is on speakerphone. Use headphones - always. Many lounges now offer private pods to take calls, so be on the lookout.
If those are not available, keep phone conversations at a low volume and be as brief as possible, or take calls in a corner of the lounge where it’s just a bit more secluded. Children running amok does not scream "serene.” While traveling with younger kids can be a challenge, Gottman said parents and parental figures should not treat a lounge as the place to forgo their duties.
"Let’s give parents grace, but at the same time it’s their responsibility to ensure children aren’t running around like it’s a playground,” she added. Many lounges, like several American Express Centurion Lounges, offer a children’s area or specific sections for families. Airport lounges typically have attendants roaming around to collect dirty dishware and cups.
But that doesn’t mean it’s okay to make a mess. Someone else probably will be occupying your seating area once you leave. Before you go, consider leaving a small tip for the attendant.
Don’t forget your bartenders,too. In that respect, at least, an airport lounge is just like any anywhere else..
