Great rule. Airline employees usually are not permitted to accept cash tips, and they might even be offended if you try to offer them. Airline employees are professionals, not service workers.

By contrast, third-party contactors performing various services such as baggage carriers, skycaps, wheelchair operation, luggage carts, janitorial, etc., are service industry employees are are allowed (and expected) to generate income from tips. They will be most grateful for them.


It gets a bit sticky with lounge personnel because it can be hard to determine who works for the airline and who works for a contractor, given that they might wear similar uniforms. In most large lounges, only the front desk personnel who check you in and handle ticket-related issued actually are airline employees. Most others you encounter inside the lounge, from bartenders to shower attendants, are service contractors earning hourly wages instead of salaries, and who would be most appreciative of a tip for good service.