Originally Posted by
qvzn
The only time I paid (or would pay) to get into a lounge is if I need, and it has, a shower. Otherwise, the airport is the lounge
Actually, I guess I would also pay if the lounge had good, free booze (or quality food), and the entrance fee is less than what I'd spend at a bar during the wait
I'd be interested to briefly discuss exactly which airlines really do sell daypasses, because of
qvzn's notion of booze that is both
good and free.
Now every U.S airline sells daypasses and as of the past couple years every lounge offers free drinks. (This wasn't the case a few years back.) But...the free drinks are usually American macrobrew draws (e.g., Bud Light) in 8-ounce glasses, a couple rotgut wines that I wouldn't use to cook with, and maybe some well liquors(?). I am honestly not sure about the liquor...they may even charge you for bad vodka.
So I guess my question is eseentially which of the big global European or Asian carriers sell daypasses? I know the beer and wine they pour in those lounges is somewhat more drinkable.
Jenbel, what about these no.1 lounges of which you speak? In Britain, I'd probably be after a good local beer more than anything...
Originally Posted by
slawecki
my understanding is that mcdonalds have left airports.
Seems like McD's is one restaurant that could actually make money in an airport since they attract a queue from open to close, whereas some of the others are really only crowded around traditional mealtimes and then some don't do any (or much) breakfast business. But if they can't make money, then yeah, you start to think the airport authority might be shooting itself in the foot.
Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
This is why there aren't more pay airport lounges. If they at best break even on customers, they cannot afford to operate such a lounge.
OTOH, if the airport wants to encourage more travelers to use their airport, one might envision the airport trying to provide or encourage lounge facilities. The question is whether making lounges and showers available is a cost effective way to do so. There also might be a consideration of whether the lounge would tend to benefit some airlines more than others.
Every now and then, I'll see a little regional airport that has it's own home-grown lounge. Haven't seen showers (since long-hauls aren't involved) and the lounges take on more of a business flavor than a bar scene flavor...wifi, computers, printing, comfy seats, place to make phone calls...that kind of thing. I think Burlington has one. Or maybe it was Rochester. Smallish airports that probably compete with other airports for traffic from pax who live 60-90 minutes from two or three different options...
Originally Posted by
moeve
However most of you are probaly right about the cost factor. An alternative I find interesting are those terminal hotels rooms / bubble rooms you can rent by the hour. It gives one a bit of quite and in some cases a shower and internet to work with.
Some airports are experimenting with them near concources - not a bad idea for longer lay overs.
We stayed in one of these at DEL...were in the room for about six hours for around $125. Not really a "cheap" option, but we were paying for the convenience of staying in the international area and we desperately wanted a real shower and a real bed for our 11PM-to-7AM connection. I think they have a less expensive option somewhere else in the terminal that is just a sleeping pod - no shower or toilet.