It’s no secret that I think Cathay Pacific have some of the nicest airline lounges in the business. The aesthetic is really welcoming and comfortable, like snuggling up in a blanket on a cold winter’s night in front of a warm fire.
They have a set of lounge etiquette guidelines on their web site, which is something I haven’t really seen before. It is a good lesson in what should be normal behaviour, but human beings clearly need to have it spelled out.
Lounge Etiquette Guidelines
Looking at the list published online, it feels pretty comprehensive. It starts out with a bang, asking people to ensure their conduct is consistent with a professional environment.
Next it addresses a bugbear of frequent flyers the world over. No-one likes noisy people in the lounge, so Cathay Pacific ask people to use headphones with personal devices, turn phones to vibrate and to keep conversations at a low level.
Also important is the rule asking people not to put their feet all over the furniture and not to lay down on couches. This is also something pretty common in lounges. Directly addressed is the food issue and they ask that it not be taken away from the facility.
Overall Thoughts
Lounge etiquette is important, as you can have the nicest design in the world, great food and service, yet it can all be ruined by inconsiderate morons who have no thought on how their actions may affect others.
Frequent flyer forums have often debated the food issue. Some feel that anything is free game to take with them, while others believe what is provided in the lounge should be consumed there. Great to see Cathay Pacific spelling it out so there is no ambiguity.
What do you think of the Cathay Pacific lounge etiquette guidelines? Should all airlines adopt something similar? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
To never miss a post, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
All my flight and lounge reviews are indexed here so check them out!
Frequent flyer miles can’t buy you class!
Completely agree with you there! Thanks for the comment!
There are people paying for first class that don’t have class either.
Exactly!
It does bother me when people yell into their phone or act like they just won a NASCAR race in a lounge. Not to imply that you could actually hold a NASCAR race in a lounge.
I agree, find a spot where you’re not going to bother people or walk outside the lounge to have your loud conversation – they will let you back in! Thanks for the comment!
Sounds great and maybe they can offer mistake fares also in the lounge !
Hahahaha! Wouldn’t we all love that! Thanks for the comment!
Sadly these rules are needed if my experience in the CX lounge in HK a couple of weeks ago is anything to go by. Our friends from across the border now voice record texts rather than type and play the responses to the entire lounge at full volume. I had to move because the guy on the next table to me was doing this for 20 minutes (with his feet on the table) Staff seemed oblivious as they walked by and nothing was done about his behavior which sadly is all too common in these parts.
That would have annoyed. the. hell. out of me! It’s so unbelievably inconsiderate, isn’t it? I imagine the staff don’t act until someone complains… it’s generally how all lounge staff operate, in my experience. Sounds diabolical! I bet you were glad to escape. Thanks for the comment!
[…] To read more on this story, go to Boarding Area. […]
[…] To read more on this story, go to Boarding Area. […]
Perhaps saying you can’t take food with you is intended to provide the lounge attendants with the necessary backing to stop the idiots who try to carry out a ton of stuff for their friends or the next week, versus the random person who carries a muffin to eat in a minute on the way to the plane.
Another time that common sense is lacking and we are all forced into dealing with rules for the lowest common denominator.
I’d say that is definitely what it’s for, those people who open their bags and try to fill them up with anything they can get their hands on. Agree with all of your thoughts, really!