Business Lounge - Under 18's

[PuravidaTC]

Hi all, can anyone explain the reasoning behind Qantas denying those under the age of 18 that are unaccompanied by an Adult (but old enough to fly solo, with a business class ticket and in my case my 16yr old daughter flying through MEL) access to there business lounge?

If they are allowed to fly unaccompanied by the airline, shouldn't they be allowed access to lounges? I'm not an alcohol drinker but I don't believe Qantas have a self service alcohol option like airlines do outside of Australia right, it's all bar service?

Thanks!

 

[muppet]

Hi all, can anyone explain the reasoning behind Qantas denying those under the age of 18 that are unaccompanied by an Adult (but old enough to fly solo, with a business class ticket and in my case my 16yr old daughter flying through MEL) access to there business lounge?

If they are allowed to fly unaccompanied by the airline, shouldn't they be allowed access to lounges? I'm not an alcohol drinker but I don't believe Qantas have a self service alcohol option like airlines do outside of Australia right, it's all bar service?

Thanks!

I don’t know the answer as to why, but the lounges definitely have self-serve wine. Beer and spirits at the bar.

 

[SYD]

Hi all, can anyone explain the reasoning behind Qantas denying those under the age of 18 that are unaccompanied by an Adult (but old enough to fly solo, with a business class ticket and in my case my 16yr old daughter flying through MEL) access to there business lounge?

If they are allowed to fly unaccompanied by the airline, shouldn't they be allowed access to lounges? I'm not an alcohol drinker but I don't believe Qantas have a self service alcohol option like airlines do outside of Australia right, it's all bar service?

Thanks!

Self-serve wine is probably the reason.

I don’t know the answer as to why, but the lounges definitely have self-serve wine. Beer and spirits at the bar.

Pretty sure beer and spirits are done via staff at MEL Dom J. Unclear if OP is referring to Dom or Int?

 

[muppet]

Pretty sure beer and spirits are done via staff.

Yep the staffed bar.

 

[chrispy3276]

Largely because of the service of alcohol. Lounge etiquette/T&C's:

2.5 While in the lounge, children under 18 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

2.6 Customers under the legal drinking age must be accompanied by an adult in any Qantas operated lounge. Legal drinking age may vary in different jurisdictions and countries.

 

[anat0l]

I remember being 15 years old (a very, very long time ago!) and my dad got me an award ticket on QF Business Class (when QF still had the 747SP, and I got an upper deck seat, which I think might have been a Dreamtime product). Dad couldn't help me check in at MNL (usual non-passengers not allowed in terminal), but managed to find an airport worker to help me.

I was then lead and admitted to the lounge. I can't remember at the time if Qantas had their own lounge there or it was operated by a third party (e.g. PAGSS). There didn't seem to be any problem or concern over whether I'd try to access booze, but then again this was a very long time ago and it's the Philippines, not Australia.

 

[PuravidaTC]

Self-serve wine is probably the reason.

Pretty sure beer and spirits are done via staff at MEL Dom J. Unclear if OP is referring to Dom or Int?

It was domestic and was aware the USA is 21+ due to self service of alcohol but I didn’t recall there being self service in Aus.. although as mentioned I’m not a drinker so not something I’m looking for.

I trust my daughter enough to not consume the alcohol with or without my presence in such an environment, but guess there legally constrained.

Disappointing though, because would definitely prefer her waiting in the comfort of the lounge versus the general terminal.

 

[opusman]

You could tell her to find a friendly looking adult in the terminal and offer to guest them in

 

[Princess Fiona]

Their alcohol license will not allow unaccompanied minors access.
Not a QF decision.

 

[Dr Ralph]

As others have indicated, it's liquor licence requirements.

 

[Pvcmenace]

My 17 year old daughter SG flying Y flew Mel-sin-lhr-mxp then mxp-dxb-Mel in December. only in Mel where she was not let in to the QP lounge, though she got into the Amex centurion lounge when that didn’t work. Flying solo.

 

[LondonAussie]

It was domestic and was aware the USA is 21+ due to self service of alcohol but I didn’t recall there being self service in Aus.. although as mentioned I’m not a drinker so not something I’m looking for.

I trust my daughter enough to not consume the alcohol with or without my presence in such an environment, but guess there legally constrained.

Disappointing though, because would definitely prefer her waiting in the comfort of the lounge versus the general terminal.

BA have the same policy officially (due to their lounges having self service alcohol at all hours of the day) but the agents generally don’t check ID and nothing on the system flags their age, so there are reports of 15-17 year olds getting in if they look at least as mature or immature as an 18 year old might look.

Some BA lounges also have self scanners to enter, which makes it easy to bypass this rule.

Also when denied access the unaccompanied minor is meant to be given a £30 voucher to spend in the terminal. So I would be asking QF for something similar.

I agree with your last point, the lounge is probably a much safer environment for a solo teen traveller to be waiting in.