Flight etiquette is a constant topic of debate – but one traveler has now shifted the focus to airport lounges.
In a Reddit thread titled ‘honest opinion about kids in airport lounges,’ the traveler explained that they ‘often hear people complain about kids being allowed into lounges.’
However, while they access lounges ‘about 30 times a year’ using an American Express (Amex) Platinum card, they say that ’99 per cent of the time’ they visit, the kids there are ‘well behaved.’
Instead, they report that they have ‘far more often seen adults act like immature brats,’ with the ‘biggest areas of immaturity’ being around ‘lounge access rules for passengers or their guests,’ ‘berating lounge staff about being waitlisted for entrance’ and ‘complaining to staff about having having to pay extra for premium drinks.’
In a bid to gather thoughts from other lounge-goers, they simply asked ‘anyone else agree/disagree?’
Flight etiquette is a constant topic of debate but one traveler has shifted the focus to airport lounges
Quickly the thread garnered more than 1,000 comments, with most Redditors agreeing with the traveler about adults being the more annoying party.
Many cited adults being loud on cell phones as being more offensive than children in the lounges.
One traveler recounted a recent experience, writing: ‘Don’t forget about the business bros having loud speakerphone calls.
‘On Friday, a dude was at the London Heathrow Terminal 3 AA Flagship (First) lounge on a loud Zoom call.
‘As soon as he hung up, quite a few people clapped loudly and cheered. For a brief 30 minutes, it felt like we were all friends with Dave in his 1:1. I fully support such shaming behavior.’
Echoing similar sentiments, another Redditor wrote: ‘It’s usually the loud businessman on the phone that annoys me vs kids.
‘The bigger issue is that non-airline lounges are chaotic now that virtually every credit card offers priority pass / lounge pass etc. Half the time I won’t even bother and just find some quiet area of the terminal.’
Some parents also got involved in the discussion.
One mom detailed how she approaches lounge visits with her young family to ensure the least disruption to those around her.
In a Reddit thread titled ‘honest opinion about kids in airport lounges,’ the traveler explained that they ‘often hear people complain about kids being allowed into lounges’
She revealed: ‘I bring my baby and toddler to the lounges on layovers whenever we travel as a family.
‘It’s a privilege I pay for [Amex] and they usually make me pay for, or use a guest pass, for my three-year-old.
‘If it’s super quiet we always find a spot in the back or far away from most people. If it’s super busy and bustling we’ll grab any available seats. I always gauge what that lounge is like that day.
‘If it’s loud I’m not as concerned with the noise they’re making. I’d never let them just run wild, but we’ll walk around to burn some energy.
‘At 7am after a red eye, we usually grab breakfast, use the bathroom, and head out. No one needs to hear my son’s commentary about every little thing he sees at that hour.
‘Honestly I feel it’s the safest place in the airport to let my littles walk around, stretch their legs, and use the bathroom. If they ever got disruptive, we’d leave.
‘For the record, I hate children – other than my own. But I’d rather a kid have a little fun in the lounge than a tantrum on the plane.’
Some Redditors said they didn’t recall ever seeing or being bothered by children in lounges.
To these messages, one parent deemed the thread ‘really reassuring.’
They explained: ‘I get nervous when we take our kids in the lounge.
‘We have firm expectations of “not bothering other people” and using indoor voices, etc but they are kids! Thanks for being understanding.’
