Airport lounges are designed as calm escapes from busy terminals. These spaces offer comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, high-speed Wi-Fi, private restrooms, and sometimes even swankier amenities. But as the popularity of airport lounges has skyrocketed in recent years, they’ve become more crowded and less relaxing — nowadays they’re not always the oases they set out to be. If you’re looking to maintain a peaceful environment, a little awareness goes a long way in ensuring everyone has a pleasant experience. Here are seven things you should always do when you visit an airport lounge.

Know the Entry Rules

Start by ensuring you know the access requirements before you arrive at the lounge. Some lounges are tied to specific credit cards or airlines, while others are available only to first- or business-class ticketholders. American Express’ Centurion Lounges, for example, require you to hold an eligible premium credit card, such as the Platinum Card or certain co-branded airline cards. This can be confusing, as not all American Express cards grant access. Knowing these conditions ensures a smooth experience and avoids frustration for everyone at the check-in counter.

Other lounges are more flexible — for a price. Those who pay for a membership to the Priority Pass program can access a network of over 1,800 lounges worldwide, but before you sign up, confirm that you don’t already have one of the premium credit cards that offer this as a perk for cardholders. 

Some airline-operated lounges, such as the United Club, offer onetime entry passes for travelers with a same-day United Airlines departure ticket from that airport. Available in more than 45 locations, these passes currently cost $59 per person but are often not available when lounges are busy.

Lounges have various allowances for guests, too — some may allow you to bring a guest traveling with you on the same reservation, others may allow you to bring guests for an additional fee, and some may not allow guests at all. Lastly, as crowding has become more of a concern, many lounges have implemented time restrictions. For example, access to Delta Sky Clubs is not permitted until three hours prior to your departure time. All together, access rules can be quite confusing, so it’s a good idea to do a little research before you get to the airport.

Park Your Luggage

While lounges are typically more comfortable than terminal seating areas, keep in mind that the space is still shared. Try to keep belongings — carry-ons, backpacks, electronics, and chargers — tidy and within your immediate area to avoid inconveniencing others.

Etiquette expert Lisa Grotts advises travelers to keep larger luggage in a corner, under the table, or between your legs so it doesn’t obstruct walkways. If the lounge is busy, do not place luggage on an empty seat near you — someone else may need it. These guidelines become especially important during peak travel times, such as early mornings, evenings, and major holidays, when lounges are often at capacity.

Dress To Impress

Comfort is key when traveling, but a neat, presentable appearance is appreciated — and sometimes even required — in lounge settings. Most lounges follow a “smart casual” guideline, but wording can be vague.

For example, the “house rules” for the Delta Sky Club state: “Attire while in a Delta Sky Club must be in keeping with good taste and a dignified atmosphere.” Qantas Airways lounges, meanwhile, prohibit specific clothing items: head-to-toe gymwear, rubber flip-flops, Ugg boots, and board shorts. Even some independent lounges, such as Escape Lounges, prohibit shorts above the knee and require men to wear shirts that cover their shoulders.

An important tip from business etiquette expert Rachel Wagner: Keep your shoes and socks on at all times. This applies to your entire travel day, including on airplanes, at gates, and in other public spaces.

Keep the Noise Down

Recently, United Airlines announced a new rule banning passengers who do not use headphones with their entertainment devices during flights. The same courtesy is expected at airport lounges. Centurion Lounges, for example, ask guests to wear headphones when using personal devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Noise disturbances can lead to removal from the lounge.

Many lounges have designated areas for phone calls, such as soundproof booths or small rooms. These areas are designed specifically for business travelers to make calls or hold virtual meetings without disruption, but it’s courteous to take all phone calls (including personal calls) there.

Mind Your Manners at the Buffet

Most lounges offer complimentary meals (typically buffet-style), snacks, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. But just because it’s free doesn’t mean you should pile your plate as high as you can. “Don’t confuse the word ‘Buffet’ with ‘All You Can Eat,’” Gottsman says. 

Similarly, don’t assume you can pack your pockets with buffet items to take on your flight. Some lounges, such as Delta Sky Clubs, have rules against removing food or beverages from the lounge and taking them with you. (However, other lounges, such as American Airlines’ Provisions by Admirals Club, are specifically designed for this purpose, which will be clear upon entering.) Some lounges also prohibit outside food, so check the policy before bringing your favorite restaurant meal into the lounge with you. And always be mindful of your alcohol intake: Overconsumption is one way to get kicked out of a lounge quickly.

Nap Responsibly

Despite the airport lounge’s promise of a peaceful respite from the terminal’s hustle and bustle, remember that the lounge is not your bedroom. Centurion Lounges, for example, discourage travelers from sleeping, lying on the floor, or reclining on furniture. 

If you’re looking for a little shut-eye, however, some lounges are equipped with relaxation pods or private rooms designed for sleep. Certain Capital One lounges offer zero-gravity nap pods in relaxation rooms, perfect for long layovers.

Avoid Pet Policy Blunders

Just because an airline accepts your furry friend in the cabin doesn’t mean that an airport lounge will. While all lounge brands allow service animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (or equivalent laws), not all allow the general public to bring pets. The Centurion Lounges, for example, permit only service animals, while Capital One Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs have pet policies that mirror in-cabin policies.

If your pet is permitted inside, be mindful of disruptions, as owners will be asked to leave if the pet is not well behaved. Lastly, always check the pet policy before entering the lounge and never try to sneak a pet in — you may be banned from using the lounge again.

Recently I did something most travelers would scoff at: I deliberately booked a flight with a layover when I could have flown direct. I did it not to save money, but rather because it allowed me to begin and end my trip at my favorite airport: Long Beach Airport (LGB), which happens to be less than 15 minutes from my house in Southern California. Even when I lived much farther from it, however, I admired the country’s self-proclaimed “coolest airport” from afar and found myself wishing I lived close enough to fly in and out of it.

Also known as Daugherty Field and dating back a little more than a century, Long Beach Airport elevates the airport experience from a necessary evil to, if not quite a joy, then certainly a pain-free stopover en route to your final destination. Here’s why I think it’s America’s best small airport.

Small but Mighty

Much of LGB’s appeal is due to its size. The airport, serving the greater L.A. area and Orange County, has just 11 gates used by three airlines: Delta, Hawaiian, and Southwest, with the last of these accounting for the vast majority of its air traffic. You can only fly direct to 21 destinations, among them Las Vegas, Denver, Honolulu, Oakland, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. But that hasn’t stopped around 4 million people from using the airport annually.

And those who use it seem to love the airport just as much as I do: LGB has been named the No. 2 best airport in the country in The Washington Post, which calls it “simple to navigate and quick to get in and out of.” The BBC deemed it one of the world’s 10 most beautiful airports, praising its “its Bogart-Bacall-era Hollywood charm.” It also ranked as one of the country’s 10 best airports by Condé Nast Traveler, was runner-up in USA Today’s reader poll of America’s best small airports, and was deemed “too perfect” by CNN. 

There’s simply no overstating how easy and pleasant LGB is to use, but the airport also has a fascinating history. Dating to 1941, the Streamline Moderne-style main terminal building is a historic landmark that recalls the golden age of air travel; it was restored and renovated in 2024. The airport frequently made headlines in the early days of aviation, welcoming greats like Charles A. Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, and it also played a key role during World War II. After the war, the Douglas Aircraft Company (later McDonnell Douglas, which was purchased by Boeing) continued to build airplanes there until 2015. 

Minute by Minute

For the purposes of this article, I timed every part of my recent trip to Boston. My flight from Long Beach to Chicago was scheduled to depart at 12:05 p.m. I’m an anxious traveler who tries to leave as little to chance as possible, and if I were flying out of LAX or any other major airport, I would have arrived two hours early for such a trip (which would have meant leaving my home around 9 a.m.).

Instead, a friend picked me up at 10:36, I arrived at the airport at 10:47, and I made it through security at 10:56 — a mere 20 minutes from the time I walked out my front door until the most stressful part of my travel day was over.

Once there, I was instantly at ease. LGB has an indoor-outdoor concept that wouldn’t be possible in most climates. Its design never makes you feel confined the way a larger, more traditional airport would. The food options aren’t as robust, but my sweet potato fries from the outpost of the Long Beach institution Boathouse on the Bay more than tided me over before my flight. 

Returning three days later was just as easy — I was on the curb waiting for my Lyft less than five minutes after landing. I may not look forward to my time in the airport the way I look forward to the trips themselves, but this won’t be the last time I choose LGB and a layover rather than a direct flight from LAX.

Featured image credit: © Steve Cukrov/stock.adobe.com

Though it may seem that airfares are exorbitant now, flying in the 1950s and 1960s was, adjusting for inflation, significantly more expensive than it is today. The outfits worn by those affluent enough to step on board reflected this, as passengers typically dressed to impress. For men, a suit and tie was expected, while women often accessorized a formal dress with a hat and gloves.

But by the 1970s, commercial air travel had become much more common. According to the National Air and Space Museum, the number of passengers increased fourfold between 1955 and 1972 — flying was no longer exclusive. The outfits travelers wore on planes evolved, too, as people dressed for comfort over style, and casual attire became the norm. These days, though, how casual is too casual? Let’s examine what will (and won’t) fly when it comes to airline dress policies.

Contracts of Carriage

Airlines typically set out what they expect of passengers in their contracts or conditions of carriage. You’ll almost always find reference to a dress code of sorts, usually intended to ensure the way you dress doesn’t offend those sitting close to you. No airline wants to risk an altercation at 30,000 feet, so it falls to gate staff and flight attendants to enforce these conditions before an issue arises.

However, the terminology used tends to be vague. For example, American Airlines states that passengers must “dress appropriately; bare feet or offensive clothing aren’t allowed.” Delta goes a little further: Its contract of carriage states that “Delta may refuse to transport or may remove passengers from its aircraft … when the passenger’s conduct, attire, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers.”

Southwest’s contract of carriage follows a similar vein. The document specifically mentions the need for footwear; if you’re over 5 years of age, you’ll need a valid medical reason not to be wearing shoes when you board. “Engaging in lewd, obscene or patently offensive behavior, including wearing clothes that are lewd, obscene or patently offensive” will also ensure you have to make alternative travel arrangements. 

As you can probably tell, most airlines steer clear of defining what exactly constitutes “offensive” clothing, giving airline gate staff and flight attendants discretion to decide on a case-by-case basis.

High-Profile Incidents

Thanks to the power of social media, videos from airline passengers in recent years have called attention to onboard dress codes. After an incident in October 2024 in which two women claimed they were kicked off a Spirit Airlines flight for wearing crop tops, the airline updated its contract of carriage in early 2025 to be more explicit about how passengers can be refused boarding because of their attire. 

The new wording specified that a passenger who “is barefoot or inadequately clothed (i.e., see-through clothing; not adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks or other private parts) or whose clothing or article, including body art, is lewd, obscene or offensive in nature” won’t be flying with them.

However, incidents like these have also sparked backlash online. Critics have said that because airline dress code policies are vague by design, they leave room for flight crews to enforce them unevenly, often disproportionately targeting women.

What Clothing Might Be Deemed Offensive?

During a flight, those on board are confined in a relatively small space, and if tensions escalate, the plane may have to divert to the nearest airport. It’s no surprise, then, that flight crews are keen to be proactive and take action to prevent unruly behavior from happening in the first place.

One way airlines try to avoid it is by banning clothing that might cause an argument. Apparel with provocative slogans, such as anything overtly political or containing profanities, is one example. Similarly, a passenger dressed in a manner that might offend someone else — for instance, showing a considerable amount of skin — is also likely to attract the attention of the flight crew. 

Where You Fly Matters

While casual attire is perfectly acceptable across North America, there are parts of the world where dressing more conservatively is common. If you plan to transit via Doha, Qatar, for example, then it’s wise to observe societal norms, as Qatar embraces traditional Islamic values. Choosing a travel outfit that covers your knees and shoulders shows respect and awareness. 

In addition, some countries don’t permit civilians to wear camouflage gear, reserving such attire for the military. These include popular Caribbean vacation spots such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Lucia. Even if you can prove to gate staff that you’re carrying a change of outfit, it’s probably not worth the risk of being denied boarding.

Why Shoes Are Important

Airlines also require passengers to wear footwear in their conditions of carriage, and this comes down to two reasons: health and safety. Though aircraft cabins are cleaned regularly, floors — especially those in lavatories — certainly aren’t spotless, particularly where airlines need to achieve a quick turnaround to stay on schedule. 

However, the rule is primarily safety-driven. In the event of an emergency, wearing footwear might be crucial. For instance, if the plane has encountered extreme turbulence, the floor of the cabin could be strewn with broken glass or something equally hazardous to a barefoot passenger. 

Even on a routine flight, ditching your shoes is a bad idea. When flight attendants bring out the trolley during food service, they need to maneuver it along a narrow aisle, and it’s not always easy for them to see that their path is clear. If that trolley rolls over your foot, you’ll certainly wish you’d put something between the wheels and your toes. So, even though they aren’t on the banned list, you might wish to reconsider wearing flip-flops next time you fly.

Air travel often comes with an invisible stowaway: germs. From crowded aisles to shared surfaces, planes can be awfully efficient at spreading illness. No one wants a long-awaited vacation ruined by a cold or the flu, so we gathered a few practical, science-backed tips from doctors for staying healthy on airplanes. From preflight prevention to smart choices after boarding, these strategies can help you feel your best during — and after — your next trip.

Choose Your Seat Wisely

Where you sit on a plane may influence how likely you are to contract an illness. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Dr. Jonathan Finnoff, chief physician for the U.S. Olympic team, recommended booking a window seat. Window seats are farthest from high-traffic areas such as aisles, restrooms, and main entry doors, so fewer passengers and crew interact with you as they pass by.

If possible, choose a window seat near the middle of the cabin. Research suggests that illness typically spreads on planes in a small perimeter: one row ahead, one row behind, and two seats on either side. By sitting even a few seats farther away from high-traffic areas such as the doors and lavatories, you may lower your risk of exposure.

Clean Your Space

After stowing your carry-on, your first order of business after taking a seat is to clean your surroundings. Studies show that high-touch areas such as the seatback, tray table, bathroom door handle, and bathroom sink tap handle are the dirtiest parts of a plane, harboring bacteria such as E. coli and staph. Be sure to use disinfecting wipes, as these are intended to kill both bacteria and viruses — “sanitizing” wipes only kill bacteria. 

Use wipes to clean the seat belt buckle and latch, armrests, screens, tray table, and any other areas you may touch during the flight. If you get up to use the restroom, Dr. Finnoff recommended taking a wipe with you to clean the door handle and any other surfaces you may touch. And don’t forget to use hand sanitizer before eating in-flight snacks or meals.  

Point Your Air Nozzle Strategically

Many passengers have likely never considered using their overhead air nozzle to ward off illness, but experts recommend it as one way to prevent the spread of illness. In the Wall Street Journal interview, Dr. Finnoff advised directing the air nozzle between you and the person next to you. This strong airflow may create a barrier to protect you from airborne germs, such as those spread through coughs and sneezes.

This tip also works if you prefer the airflow on you. On TikTok, board-certified physician Dr. Frank Contacessa recommended turning the air nozzle on full power and pointing it straight down at you. He explained that studies have shown this can keep bacteria and viruses away from your face. Since airplanes use HEPA-filtered air that reduces the spread of airborne illnesses, blowing this clean air at your face poses little risk.

Practice Healthy Sleep Habits

Travel disrupts your routine, especially when it comes to eating, sleeping, and exercising. All of these changes can weaken your immune system. This, combined with the germs that come with air travel, can make it easier for passengers to get sick shortly after their trips.

So, it’s important to take steps to boost your immune system before stepping on the plane. One of the easiest ways to do this is to get more sleep. In general, the CDC recommends seven or more hours of sleep for adults to maintain a healthy immune system. Do this before, during, and after air travel to avoid illness on your trip.

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is another easy way to boost your health, which is why Dr. Ladan Pourmasiha, medical director of Baptist Health Urgent Care, lists hydration as one of her top air travel tips. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends a daily water intake of 11.5 cups (92 ounces) per day for women and 15.5 cups (124 ounces) for men. This amount may vary based on age, weight, lifestyle, and health conditions.

Pediatrician Dr. Tanya Altman agrees, mentioning water intake as her first tip for airplane wellness in an interview with Inside Edition. She always travels with water bottles and electrolyte packets. While filled water bottles (even factory-sealed) are not allowed through TSA checkpoints, empty, reusable water bottles are, and refill stations are typically available near restrooms post-security.

Use a Saline Spray

The air that circulates on planes has very low humidity, which dries out the nasal passages and can cause throat irritation, making you feel sick even without bacteria or viruses. While staying hydrated can help, Dr. Altman recommended using a nasal spray to support the body’s natural defenses.

Over-the-counter, unmedicated saline sprays keep the nostrils moisturized and may even help flush out airborne pathogens that cause illness. Many brands offer TSA-friendly options under 3.4 ounces. Always consult your doctor before using.

Wear a Mask

If you’re flying during peak travel seasons, such as spring break or around holidays, wearing a mask remains one of the most effective protective measures. Dr. Pourmasiha notes that masks can reduce exposure to airborne viruses that other passengers may be carrying. This includes respiratory illnesses such as the flu, RSV, the common cold, and COVID-19.

On TikTok, board-certified surgeon Dr. Alberico Sessa said that, if you’re going to wear a mask, make it a well-fitting N95, which has the proper filtration system to ward off illnesses. Regular masks, such as cotton or surgical, may be less effective. Consider keeping a few clean masks in your carry-on as a simple precaution.

In some parts of the world, if you’re on time, you’re late. In others, the opposite is true. The way we think of time can be broadly divided into two categories: monochronic (strict) and polychronic (flexible). Anyone who’s been to countries like Switzerland and the Netherlands knows they belong to the former camp, whereas other corners of the globe prefer the latter. Here are three regions where it’s culturally acceptable — or even preferable — to be late. 

Southern Europe

There’s a good deal of overlap between countries that eat dinner late at night and countries that take a more laid-back approach to time in general. If you spent a semester abroad or met with locals while vacationing in this region, you’ve already experienced this firsthand. Showing up late is neither uncommon nor impolite in a country like Spain, where the midafternoon is reserved for siestas and anyone running late could theoretically still be waking up from a nap. It’s similar in Italy, where you can show up for social events well after the listed start time and still be considered on time.

Greece takes this even further, with some joking that GMT stands not for Greenwich Mean Time but for Greek Maybe Time. Though punctuality is still expected in a professional setting, locals are much more relaxed when it comes to just about everything else.

The Middle East

In Egypt, being late isn’t just expected — it’s a sign of how Egyptian you truly are. If you show up an hour “late” to a party, you might still be the first person there. It’s simply how “Egyptian time” works, and it can be quite an adjustment for travelers. The same can be said of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Jordan, where listed appointment times are sometimes seen as suggestions rather than strict guidelines.

Parts of Africa

There’s a reason why “African time” has its own Wikipedia page. It’s even the title of a 2014 documentary exploring the effects, both positive and negative, of tardiness in African culture. “There are consequences whenever you are late,” one interviewee says in the film, acknowledging that she herself just arrived late. The movie also explores the divide between African immigrants and their children born in America, whose differing attitudes toward punctuality can create something of a generation gap.

Unlike in other parts of the world where tardiness is a mere cultural quirk, the concept of African time has been written about in academic papers and newspaper articles examining its implications. “One of the main reasons for the continuing underdevelopment of our country is our nonchalant attitude to time and the need for punctuality in all aspects of life,” begins one such editorial in the Ghanaian newspaper The Chronicle, which argues that the problem “afflicts all members of our society.”

In 2007, Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo even endorsed an event called “Punctuality Night,” whose slogan was “‘African time’ is killing Africa — let’s fight it.” A $60,000 villa was awarded to a legal adviser described as “unusually good at being punctual,” which sounds like good motivation for anyone to start arriving on time.

Featured image credit: © vadim.nefedov/stock.adobe.com

The placement of minibars in hotel rooms dates back to 1974, when the Hilton Hong Kong first installed fridges stocked with liquor in each of its rooms. The move proved so popular (and profitable) that it was soon rolled out across other properties in the chain. It wasn’t long before minibars became standard in high-end hotel rooms across the world. These days, however, you’ll often open the door of your minibar — if there is one at all — to find the shelves completely empty. So, what’s changed? Discover why hotel minibars have fallen out of favor over the years.

Changing Conveniences

To be a hit with guests, hotel minibars need to stock the items that they want — and therein lies the problem. We’ve become used to having precisely what we want, when we want it. Convenience stores close to the hotel can offer a much wider range and have longer opening hours than they once did. Simply put, minibars just can’t compete on choice. 

But what about convenience? The ease of using a minibar has also become less of a factor in the age of ubiquitous convenience stores, increasingly popular hotel lobby grab-and-go shops, and the presence of delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats, which hotel chains have partnered with to provide convenient food delivery options to guests’ rooms. 

According to PKF Hospitality Research, more guests are also opting to socialize at the hotel bar instead. And in 2013, guests surveyed by TripAdvisor ranked the minibar as the least important amenity in a hotel. As you’d expect, it has become even less of a consideration in the years since.

Why Minibars Are So Expensive

You’re paying, in part, for convenience, but there are also costs associated with stocking and restocking items, potential theft, and replacing expired items. 

It all adds up. Stay at the Four Seasons in Istanbul, for instance, and a snack of pistachio nuts will set you back almost $20 USD, while washing it down with a Coke adds a further $14. Of course, those who can afford the hotel (rooms start at around $650 a night) won’t concern themselves with a few extra dollars in charges, but for the average traveler, the cost is a big reason to steer clear of the minibar. 

With many of today’s savvy travelers expecting value for money, it becomes even more costly to stock the minibar if guests aren’t buying the items inside. Restocking is a relatively labor-intensive task: Housekeeping teams need to keep track of what’s been used and report back so that invoices are up-to-date and accurate. 

Theft from hotel minibars is another issue. It can be hard to prove; often, it’s a case of comparing the guest’s word against current stock levels. If there is a discrepancy, a hotel might choose not to push the point because of the risk of a poor review, which could be bad for business. 

However, technology can help. Modern minibars have sensors installed to register that an item has been removed. Yet, critics argue it isn’t foolproof, claiming that moving products around within the fridge can falsely indicate sales. Guests wary of being charged for something they haven’t used may choose not to open the minibar door at all.

Reimagining the Concept

Some hoteliers have bucked the trend, using the humble minibar as a tool to express a property’s personality. For example, London-bound travelers checking in to the Hotel Indigo Tower Hill can take advantage of free candy and soda from the minibar before venturing out to meet a Beefeater beside the River Thames. At the historic Franklin Hotel in Adelaide, Australia, guests can take advantage of a fully stocked minibar for free as part of the room rate. Partnering with local artisan suppliers, such as offering beers from nearby Cooper’s Brewery, creates opportunities to steer guests to shop for more of the same while they’re in town, a win for local businesses, too. 

Sometimes, however, minibar policies aren’t quite so generous. For instance, Hyatt’s Andaz brand offers complimentary nonalcoholic beverages and snacks from the in-room mini-fridge as a perk, but guests often will pay a daily destination fee (also called a resort fee). At the Andaz New York 5th Avenue, this charge amounts to $40 per night, though this also covers other amenities such as unlimited long-distance and international calls plus credit toward parking and laundry. 

Elsewhere, provision has its limits. For example, the upscale Maslina Resort in Hvar, Croatia, states that the first round’s on them, but after that, you’ll be charged for what you consume. For many guests, however, even that small gesture is welcome — and perhaps a reminder of a bygone era in hospitality. 

Featured image credit: © OlegDoroshin/stock.adobe.com