12 Airport Lounge Etiquette Rules You Need To Know

The airport experience can be tremendously taxing. Rushing to make a connecting flight or getting caught for a last-minute bag fee at the gate introduces plenty of added stress to the task. Most people just want to reach their destination without the added headache of remembering to print their boarding pass or getting pulled for extra screening at the TSA line. But these hiccups frequently happen in the life of a traveler. Therefore, the venerable airport lounge exists to make the waiting portion of your adventure a little more enjoyable.

Airport lounges run the gamut from simple and effective to opulent displays of first-class service. Lounges often feature buffet food and drinks as an included benefit, and some may even provide sleeping areas and showers for those on particularly long layovers. Airport lounges often feel like exclusive spaces reserved only for the wealthiest travelers. But people willing to splurge on first-class airline tickets aren't the only ones who can take advantage of these perks.

Many credit card providers offer cardholders free access to lounges across the world, and other respites make entry as simple as paying for the service. Once you're in, however, it's important to maintain a sense of decorum. Following the etiquette rules of an airport lounge will ensure your experience is fruitful. Running riot in this relaxing space can make for a decidedly bad time for you and other loungers. Fortunately, many of the etiquette rules in place follow basic courtesy and common sense.

Walking into an airport lounge creates a fantastic feeling for travelers. This is especially true for those who have never had the privilege of experiencing its relaxation and the true change of pace it offers from the busy airport scenes outside. Whether you're a frequent flyer who routinely waits for flights in airport lounges or is accessing one for the first time, the initial etiquette rule you should keep in mind involves walking through the doors. Generally speaking, airport lounges are set behind an entry barrier. You'll need to provide flight details or other documentation to get past automated gates or a staffed check-in desk.

Having your documentation together before you get to this initial checkpoint will make the transition from the airport terminal to the lounge much smoother. If you are new to the airport lounge game, you might stand at the wrong entrance. With your information in hand, it's easier to be sure that you're at the right place and avoid any awkwardness or setback in launching your relaxation time. Using lounge access finder tools provides a solid approach to ensuring you're in the right place with the correct access. These kinds of apps provide all manner of information on lounge accessibility and pricing for per-visit passes.

When considering your lounge experience, assess the time you'll spend inside the area ahead of a flight. You won't always have authority over how long you'll stay in this type of setting, so controlling it when you can is a great way to enhance your experience. If you're heading away on a morning departure, for instance, getting to the airport early is ideal. If you arrive when the check-in desk opens for your flight, you'll be able to stroll through the airport and sit down for breakfast in the lounge without worrying about making it to the gate on time.

On another note, if you have limited passes in an airline's lounge, you may want to prioritize some travel itineraries over others. Skipping the lounge when you only have a short layover will allow you to use your passes more effectively during a much longer stop at another time. No one wants to see their lounge experience curtailed by poor time management. Rushing around to get a bite to eat or a drink before your next departure is a surefire way to introduce plenty of stress into the entire trip, exactly the thing lounges were designed to avoid!

No matter where you might find a queue in the lounge, it's important to join, exhibiting humility and courtesy to those around you. There might be a line to enter the relaxation space or at the concierge desk or buffet. Some people who fly constantly for business may have elite status with the airline and feel entitled to skip the line entirely. But the reality is that an airport lounge is equally for everyone in its space. Since you deserve basic human dignity and respect, you should give others the same treatment.

Some parts of an airline's lounge might exhibit elite status lines that allow these individuals to queue up for a shorter wait or access to dedicated support staff. But if this doesn't exist, inhabitants of the lounge are treated equally. It's important to remember that, like you, the people with whom you're sharing the space are travelers trying to reach their next destination. An airport lounge is an oasis of relaxation, but that atmosphere shatters when someone becomes selfish and thinks they deserve special treatment.

Finding a place to sit in an airport lounge isn't as straightforward as you might initially expect. As with any other communal area that sees people marching in and out, there's a natural first come, first served order to things. But this doesn't mean you should just grab the first seat you see or plop down at a large table if you're flying solo. Sitting too close to someone or taking up too much space is impolite and will rub others the wrong way. On the other hand, quickly grabbing a seat is a great way to find yourself situated in a busy part of the lounge. This delivers the opposite effect — other people's movements will derail your attempts at relaxation.

By taking a quick walk through the airport lounge, you'll gain perspective that can make all the difference when enjoying your time here. For most people, finding a seat away from the hustle and bustle of the buffet and exit door will make the most sense. Many lounges also feature large window areas that face the runways. A little show playing in the distance can be a nice addition to your experience.

Once you find a seat you like, you'll almost certainly want to head up to the buffet or bar to get something to eat or drink. Unlike other parts of the airport, you can generally leave your possessions by your seat unattended in the lounge. Of course, this should only be done within reason. You shouldn't leave your bags in a public part of the lounge and go for a shower or have a nap in one of the sleeping areas, for instance.

It's also important to keep other people in mind when organizing your stuff. It's inadvisable to sprawl your items everywhere, including on seats and tables. Airport lounges generally have enough free space around their seating areas to accommodate people and bags. Organizing your possessions efficiently is a crucial component of lounge etiquette, as it allows you to relax and prevents you from inconveniencing others. This is a courteous thing to do no matter the time of day, but it's particularly vital when the lounge is busiest. With people filing in and out constantly, you'll get more than a few dirty looks if your personal effects are in the way, prevent others from sitting, or pose a slip-and-fall hazard.

Speaking of getting comfortable, it's never a good idea to relax too much in an airport lounge. Treating the space as you would your couch is a great way to annoy everyone around you in this public space. Taking off your shoes (particularly if your feet are smelly from hours already spent on the move), putting your feet up on chairs or tables, and changing in public areas are all actions that will make other people uncomfortable. An airport lounge affords you a bit more freedom and relaxation potential than the main terminal area, but it's still a public space, and patrons should always remember that.

Another important note: Napping in airport lounges is perfectly alright, but sprawling out across multiple chairs to accomplish this isn't. If you plan on dozing off for a bit between flights, opt for an airport lounge that offers sleeping quarters or semi-private areas. If these amenities aren't available, try to find a quiet corner in the lounge and only take a single seat in the same way you would if you were sitting and eating.

Lounges often set out free snacks and drinks, sometimes near the entry and exit areas. This makes it easy to pick up a fruit, muffin, or drink on your way in or out. These offerings are there to be used, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with taking an apple, cookie, or even a beer as you depart for your gate. However, things can quickly get out of hand if you aren't careful.

Loading up your bag with as many free items as you can fit before you leave the lounge is akin to stealing rather than indulging in a feature included in the experience. You might not be stopped or questioned by lounge staff, but others in the space will certainly notice your breach of routine etiquette. These goodies are there for everyone to share, so being sensible with them is a social responsibility from which you shouldn't stray.

It's worth noting that tipping in an airport lounge isn't usually expected as it might be at a restaurant. Still, the staff will certainly appreciate your consideration when offered gratuity for their service (especially when the drinks are gratis, to begin with). You must keep in mind that just because a wait staff will serve you complimentary food and drink without charging for the privilege doesn't mean you should park yourself and start slamming back beverages.

Drinking too much in an airport lounge brings about a symphony of errors. Firstly, if you are inhibited and become unruly, you might be cut off, escorted out of the lounge, or worse, have your access revoked. Additionally, excessive drinking can result in a looser handle on how long you've been waiting for your connection. It's possible to spend too much time at the lounge bar and end up frantically running to catch your flight or missing it altogether. Travelers having a few drinks while waiting for a connection is a common tradition, but keeping your wits about you and tracking time is paramount.

Airport lounges are built to provide greater comfort to travelers. This makes them feel like calm and quiet places of solace, squirreled away from the hectic movement in the main terminal just outside the doors. But it only takes one inconsiderate conversationalist to break this tranquility. You should never let that person be you.

Speaking loudly on your phone or chumming it up at a high volume with travel companions interrupts the peacefulness of the lounge for everyone else. Unfortunately, in many public areas, some people underestimate the volume of their indoor voice and make the shared space uncomfortable for others. Some noisy public areas, like busy restaurants, subways or buses, and similar shared sites, necessitate speaking at a higher pitch. However, an airport lounge is different, and the prevailing attitude is respectful quietude. Any conversation you might have can be done at a reasonable volume, and others around you will be thankful for your courtesy.

Another important consideration you can make for your fellow travelers is using headphones when listening to audio from your phone or computer. Many people heading through the airport will wander around wearing a listening device to enjoy their favorite playlists or podcasts. While waiting for a flight, travelers watch downloaded TV shows, movies, or videos. Regardless of what you are watching or listening to, the people around you almost certainly don't want to be a part of your entertainment experience.

This standard etiquette is the same no matter where you sit in an airport terminal, so it's a good idea to use headphones in a lounge setting or the main terminal. Everyone has comfortable headphones these days, and most travelers will be accustomed to wearing theirs for long stretches of time. Using your headphones ensures that you aren't disturbing anyone around you, contributing to the respectful and peaceful atmosphere of the airport lounge.

In an airport lounge, you're likely to find power outlets around your seating area. These tools are commonplace these days in public spaces, including airports. Unfortunately, there may not be enough to accommodate everyone densely packed into the space. Taking over the power outlets around your seating area can be problematic for a number of reasons.

For one thing, these are public utilities that should be shared. Hogging all the outlets limits other people's ability to make use of the resource. Beyond that, however, if you pull out all of your electronic devices and plug them in, you will most certainly create a tangle of bags and personal items that sprawl around your area. This can make navigating seats or walkways around your table difficult. It's simply impolite to spread out like this. Using common sense when juicing your electronic devices is always best in these public settings.

Lastly, when you're ready to leave, it's important you act as a good steward of the space you've been enjoying. Leaving the area clean and tidy is simply good manners. Even though a cleaning staff may be on hand to pick up after lounge guests, doing your part will be appreciated. Throw away any trash you may have created, or wipe the table if you spilled liquids. This is a great way to show you care about your surroundings and the people with whom you're sharing the space.

Airport lounges can only deliver so much relaxation potential if they are constantly messy. Part of the draw of these environments is the cleanliness that helps deliver on the promise of peace and quiet amid a turbulent sea of movement. Doing your part and cleaning up after yourself is a habit you should practice in any public place. The people around you will appreciate you for this gesture of kindness. Additionally, the good vibes you get from participating as a responsible member of the lounge's transient community of travelers will see you on your way in great spirits, ready for whatever excitement your trip has in store.