Article: Should Airlines Keep Lounges Open for Delayed Flights?

[docjames]

Qantas in BNE often close one of the two lounges (typically the QP) approaching last flight of the evening, especially on weekends, corralling anyone left into the one (J) lounge.

 

[Beano]

What about the aircraft cleaners waiting on a delayed flight? Are they going home at a fixed time?. Don't you want your delayed aircraft cleaned.

 

[Balus1]

Most of the people you’ve mentioned are already on a 24 rostering system, and in the case of pilots and cabin crew are almost always keen to leave town. Cleaners will be waiting for you to get out of the lounge and are also likely to have restricted hours…which in itself will cause the lounge to be closed at set times.


You are joking aren’t you. These people are paid the absolute bare minimum. The airline (well QF) is never going to make it worthwhile, that’s only for management.


And how much are you proposing giving them to make it a “win-win”, noting that the airline doesn’t actually win at all. They don’t care if you aren’t in a lounge. $500 per staff member. $20. At what point do you think you’ll get sufficient staff to remain in the lounge, remembering that you’ll then need to do the same with cleaning staff.

None of those people were on a 24 rostering system. I was one of them in a previous career and if a flight was delayed myself and colleagues would stay back to deal with it. If the last flight of the night was delayed, or an incoming flight was late, we would stay back. Of course we could say no if we wanted to but most were happy to help. We just accepted it as part of our job and an extension of our shift.

Anyway, the article is about lounges staying open when flights are delayed so yes it would not be hard to do, even with reduced F & B offerings.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

One assumption that is made in this thread is that as a frequent flyer we would naturally want the lounge to remain open should our flight get delayed. However, I do question whether that assumption holds for every lounge out there? Indeed, I suspect those who have had the honour of visiting the QF Closet in Hobart, the dungeon at Melbourne International or the domestic lounge at Gold Coast would beg to differ!

 

[Beano]

One assumption that is made in this thread is that as a frequent flyer we would naturally want the lounge to remain open should our flight get delayed. However, I do question whether that assumption holds for every lounge out there? Indeed, I suspect those who have had the honour of visiting the QF Closet in Hobart, the dungeon at Melbourne International or the domestic lounge at Gold Coast would beg to differ!

If lounges give specific opening and closing times then we shouldn't expect them to remain open for delayed flights. Airlines should be aware of their schedules so can give fixed times. That means they don't need to stay open if a flight is delayed. However if they say such things as "until last departure" they should stay open for delayed flights. Off course if the last flight is cancelled they could close earlier.