Airline lounges are a great place to relax before a flight. They offer complimentary food and drink, decent wireless Internet, device charging points and are often quieter than the main concourse. Does entry to these lounges also permit you to steal what you want from the lounge and take it with you?
Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves
Recently I was sitting in the lounge casually passing the time on my laptop when I saw a group of business people getting up to go to their gate for their flight. One of them paused at the food section and loaded his bag with at least three packets of crisps and a couple of pieces of fruit. There was no subtlety involved and it was all quite brazen while chatting away to nearby colleagues.
- Are glasses, plates and utensils fair game?
- Easy to grab and take!
Online forums devoted to airline travel reveal the art of the steal is alive and well. There are reports of people loading up their bags with cans of beer, various foods and some even say they have seen large bottles of booze decanted into plastic bottles for take away. It is mind boggling!
Fair Game or Not?
There are two schools of thought on the matter. One is what airlines intend which is food and drink available in the lounge should be consumed in the lounge. The other, of course, is that it is available and expected to be consumed so taking some with you is perfectly acceptable.
It does beg the question as to where the line should be drawn. A bag of crisps, piece of fruit or bottle of water to tide you over is probably more acceptable than taking half a dozen beers or sneaking out an entire unopened bottle of wine. It is not acceptable to remove glasses, plates, cutlery or furniture of course, though I bet this does happen.
Overall Thoughts
I believe food and drink should be consumed in the lounge. I also believe it is okay to take one item with you for the flight if it is absolutely necessary for example you may need extra water if you’re connecting between two long flights. Taking everything that is not nailed down is not acceptable and goes against the spirit of what the lounge is there for.
What do you think? I would love to hear your comments or questions below. Thanks for reading!
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As someone who has felt some serious twinges of shame as she has loaded up on free, individually wrapped pieces of Lindt chocolate at a lounge in Zurich, I have to say that I believe most people know there is a line and that they are crossing it – whether they care or not is another factor. It’s a good, thought provoking post – I just wish the sub heading referencing gypsies (and, I guess, Cher) wasn’t included. The gypsy people, more accurately called the Roma people, are some of the most discriminated against people in the world and expressions… Read more »
I would probably feel the same way as you with regards to taking more than what I feel is my fair share. I know some people have reported they visited the lounge for five minutes when they had no time solely to take their allocation of the free stuff. It takes all types! My subheading was a playful reference to the song title and was not at all meant to be a comment on the Roma people, which I am well aware are discriminated against throughout the world. Hopefully people will take away some extra information from your thoughtful comments… Read more »
Interesting topic! I’ve definitely seen signage in some lounges (can’t remember which ones) that indicate that lounge food cannot be taken out of the lounge. In those cases, there’s no question about it. For lounges where no such policy is stated, I tend to think that small snacks (i.e. biscuits or a cookie or two, and some water) are acceptable.
I have seen signage to the same effect, but it’s very rare to see that kind of sign. Obviously in that case you would refrain from breaking the rules. Hopefully! I still think it’s more an unwritten type of rule not to be taking things out. I certainly have done and will again though! Thanks for the comment!
Do you think the staff really care? Unless you are coming in regularly with an empty duffel bag and emptying the bar. The snacks are a very small expense for a lounge. Maybe you could make an argument that restocking the food bar more often creates extra work. So be it.
Well, I don’t know. I’ll have to ask some of the lounge attendants next time I am passing through, as I’d love to know if they are briefed on what is and isn’t acceptable or if they have instructions to intervene if people are taking advantage. I guess if not, more people should have at it. Snacks don’t cost much, I agree. Drinks may be another story, especially when it comes to premium liquor. It’s generally self-serve in Europe so there’s more scope for taking things. I appreciate the comment, you’ve provided another angle on things. Thank you!
Yes booze SHOULD be a different matter. Self-serve bars, swiping a whole bottle? Nobody wants to see Corporate Flyer getting loaded and losing it on the plane. Not only ruins everyone’s day it could get tracked back to the lounge being responsible for looking the other way.
I agree with you on that – no-one needs a diversion delaying everyone. It rarely, if ever, happens so I guess it’s safe to say people aren’t going that far. Thankfully!!
If you take a bottle of water & bag of chips from the lounge, it probably cost the lounge less than 50 cents in food cost You would have to be taking bottles of liquor to be hurting the lounge’s bottom line.
True, they do have contracts on everything, so the cost probably would be quite small.
If you’ve taken anything out of the Lounge, how can you justify whether it’s ok to take one can of pop and not 20. Is there any guidelines as you enter or leave the lounge on what’s acceptable? Who the fuck are you to judge if you’ve taken even just the one item yourselves? Twats,
That’s the big issue really. Is someone filling a bag with cans of drinks and snacks any worse than someone taking one packet of crisps? Cathay Pacific’s lounge guidelines specifically state that anything in the lounge is meant to be consumed in the lounge and not to be taken away. Where airlines don’t publish a policy, technically anything goes. Thanks for the comment!
I think it’s ok to take things from the lounge that will last you throughout the day of travel. For example if I know I have a long flight ahead and don’t want to trouble the flight attendant for more water I will take the entire liter bottle from the skyclub and carry it in my backpack. Before I take off/land if I’m in a hurry I’ll go in and make an iced latte in my refillable cup from starbucks and take it with me and maybe a snack or two. The way I see it is like some of… Read more »
I agree with you on taking things that would last you for the day of travel. I’ve never even thought of taking a litre of water but I tend to only have a messenger bag with me when I am flying so it doesn’t really have the space for larger items like that. It’s one thing I always crave in the air – more water. There’s never enough, so that makes sense to me. My credit card doesn’t provide lounge access, so I hadn’t thought of it from that angle regarding that it’s already paid for. That’s why these comments… Read more »
Lounges are to spend time in the Lounge, to drink and eat “in the Lounge”.
It’s not grocery or shop so you enter, buy and go out.
You should enjoy in the Lounge otherwise it’s just stealing
I agree, no point in not spending time in the lounge, it’s usually a lovely experience, even before all the goodies. Thanks for the comment!
if it’s there to take, i’m taking. that’s why i pay the annual fee for my premium credit card.
I love your candour! I think a lot of people would agree with you on this, as you can argue that you are ‘paying’ for it in some way. Thanks for the comment!
Fascinating viewpoints, as usual. Agree that my annual fee should cover the cost of a few small “take aways”. However, I rarely have any excess room in my carry ons, so…… Pre ordering a special menu is the way to get around lack of vegetarian options. Doesn’t necessarily have to be a Vegetarian option, though. Try Kosher, Halal, etc. Would love to see how someone can lift an entire litre bottle of booze!!!!
I’m with you, I don’t usually have excess room in my carry on either. From the way everyone seems to think it’s fine to take things, I could stock the pantry if I brought a duffel bag with me! It’s interesting you say that about the special meal. Some frequent flyers at BA have had the regular meals so much that they select special meals on occasion just to mix it up. I’m keeping my eyes peeled in the hopes of seeing someone take a litre – I won’t know whether to report them or applaud! 🙂 Thanks for the… Read more »
Like the discussions…good for a lift! Are you really based in the Emerald Isle, as I am?
I am indeed! Where are you from?
I split my time between Moynalty, Kells, Co Meath and Jupiter, FL. Custom Designed tours of Ireland operator (small groups 2-10). And you? Can send message via facebook if prefer.
Sounds like the best of both worlds, considering the weather! I’m in Dublin myself. Thanks for reading and for keeping me on my toes – I appreciate it! 🙂
As a vegetarian when I see veggie food I take it as there’s no guarantee of suitable food to eat on the plane. More often than not there isn’t so you have to take supplies when you see them!
I’ve heard the same from friends who are vegetarian, that the food on planes can be extremely hit and miss to the point of having nothing to eat. It would make sense to load up when you have the chance to. I know I would, as going hungry would annoy me. Thanks for the comment – I hadn’t thought of that! 🙂
I would take out anything that you would have consumed in the lounge for that visit. If you end up consuming lounge food a week later, that’s a bit too much. And never more than one of an individual item.
Yes, I know some people do this when they have a short connection. I’ve heard people say they hit the lounge merely to grab what they would usually have had and then consume it later in their hotel or at home. I agree that eating lounge food a week later would be a bit much. Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it!
I think it’s fine to take some water or chips or a newspaper, but anything else is too much.
I tend to agree with your. Some people are quite shameless though! Cheers for the comment!