Do you get tempted to indulge in the lounge, just because it's "free"?

[John in Melbourne]

When going on a long-haul flight, I don't eat much in a lounge if I know there might be good food on board. I don't know why, but I just love relaxing on a long flight and eating nice food and watching a good film.

 

[JohnM]

Same applies to calling yourself an engineer...

I guess you would know...

 

[JohnK]

Has this ever happened?

Yes it has. I've been there when it's happened but not to me.

There have also been times where it could have been me.

 

[jonboixxx]

I would have to say YES, and that's why we did 6 lounges on our BNE-SYD-HNL-OGG last Sunday. Firstly VA BNE then VA SYD on arrival, then we went across to international just in time for HA counters to open. Then we did Plaza Premium Lounge (AMEX Plat), American Express Lounge (AMEX Plat) and House (HA business). At HNL we did Premier Lounge (HA 1st class).
We actually liked the Plaza Premium in Sydney; great view of the gates and runway, 3 hot food offerings, smallish but not busy, accomodating staff and seemingly fairly new. House was extremely busy and noisy, but wider choice at the bar. AMEX lounge was downstairs, similar food to Plaza (as I think there's some connection) but the staff didn't know how to put the football on the big screen monitors.

 

[SydneySwan]

Has this ever happened?

I don;t know but have seen the reverse - someone allowed on a plane who should have been offloaded.

In 1998 I was flying Finnair from Moscow to Helsinki. There were a few Finns a bit worse for wear after indulging in cheap Russian alcohol. One man was being supported by his friends but still managed to fall down a couple of times. Two Russian police took over and carefully assisted this man onto the plane where he slept for the short flight back to Finland.

 

[Beano]

I don;t know but have seen the reverse - someone allowed on a plane who should have been offloaded.

In 1998 I was flying Finnair from Moscow to Helsinki. There were a few Finns a bit worse for wear after indulging in cheap Russian alcohol. One man was being supported by his friends but still managed to fall down a couple of times. Two Russian police took over and carefully assisted this man onto the plane where he slept for the short flight back to Finland.

I think they just wanted rid of him. Surprised the airline actually took him.

Post automatically merged: Oct 5, 2022

I have done a bit of flying but have never come across disruptive or worse for alcohol passengers. I've encountered some medical issues but that was a minor inconvenience.

 

[Beano]

Despite what I said previously I must admit to enjoying the free food and alcohol, and barista? coffee. But there are only so many toasted ham and cheese sandwiches you can eat (Domestic) or salt and pepper squid (INT QF). Brisbane QJ has reintroduced the specialty food counter so that adds an element of interest. (Pizza in Perth and Noodles in MEL also). OK so BNE is chicken wings, never my favourite, and too much effort to enjoy fully.

 

[BAM1748]

If late evening flight, a couple of liquid sleeping pills come in handy.

 

[Astroboi82]

I usually have a drink or 2 when flying for leisure. Not when I am travelling for work as i will generally be picking up a hire car at the destination / working when I arrive.

 

[oz_ally]

Daver6 said:
I used to grab a bag or two from the lounge. Then on the flight request a cup of boiling water and make my own tea. Always a step up from the cough you get in whY.

exceladdict​

now that's a life pro tip!

sorry - having so much trouble trying to work out the multiquote

This reminds me of the day that I was waiting to board and saw a lady sitting on the floor nearby. She pulled a kettle out of her bag and plugged it in to a powerpoint that she was sitting near and boiled some water for her cup of tea I thought it was funny but also thought - good for you!!

 

[Ade]

I do sometimes overindulge at UL lounge at CMB or CX lounge at HKG. UL because of the food they serve, it's something that is close to my heart and I love Sri Lankan fare. HKG because they make a mean lentil curry & chickpea korma - both are so good with roti. So those are the 2 places where I don't mind overindulging.

Edit: Worth mentioning the EK F/J lounge (regardless of the departure port) - they usually seem to serve spicy middle eastern/Indian fare, which I quite like .. so, I do overindulge if in EK lounges

Re: AU lounges - not so much, primarily because there is not many vego options ... last week at CBR QF J, the only vego option was the cold vermicelli, carrot & tofu salad. Even the soup had meat in it, so had to help myself to a portion of the vego meal & a dessert. Even VA lounge has only a salad option as vego. Sometimes they do a red curry, but I can't have it because it has fish sauce in it .. so most times it's the bread roll or salad or dessert for me .. #NotAppetising

Edit: Unless, of course, some vego is served at the Spice Bar in MEL J, then I do overindulge

 

[Ade]

They don't usually serve doubles

From my experience, the barkeep can serve a double, never a triple. But no more than 2 doubles within the hour or so ... If the patron approaches the barkeep for the 3rd double, the barkeep can politely refuse and offer a drink of water or soft drink instead.

 

[Ade]

When going on a long-haul flight, I don't eat much in a lounge if I know there might be good food on board. I don't know why, but I just love relaxing on a long flight and eating nice food and watching a good film.

This is me ... There is no way for me to know what food is going to be served on board, primarily because I pre-order special meals. But I like to enjoy the meal that is provided (which is, in my standard, usually nice for food served onboard), sip a glass (or 2 or 3) of red, watch a movie and doze off ...

 

[Beano]

From my experience, the barkeep can serve a double, never a triple. But no more than 2 doubles within the hour or so ... If the patron approaches the barkeep for the 3rd double, the barkeep can politely refuse and offer a drink of water or soft drink instead.

I have never been able to get a double in any Qantas lounge in Australia, and I've been to a few where there is bar service. If you have, which one? But they will give you another "for a friend"!

 

[JohnK]

I have never been able to get a double in any Qantas lounge in Australia, and I've been to a few where there is bar service. If you have, which one? But they will give you another "for a friend"!

I don't drink alcohol in Australia now but pre Covid I used to get doubles all the time when I was travelling regularly.

My routine as I was about to leave lounge

- BNE business lounge get vodka/orange and Vodka straight. Pour one into the other and skull
- BNE Qantas lounge get vodka/orange and vodka straight. Pour one into the other and skull
- Goto flight
- SYD business lounge on arrival get vodka/orange and vodka straight. Pour one into the other and skull
- SYD Qantas lounge get vodka/orange and vodka straight. Pour one into the other and skull
- Head off to get luggage

The staff used to know me well and would have the drinks ready as I was walking to bar. I saw the same staff recently in SYD and they were getting me a beer and were disappointed I no longer drink.

Glad I've stopped doing that now. Alcohol in Thailand will have to suffice.