re: Unpopular opinion: Airport bars > Airport Clubs/Executive Lounges

I don’t get the appeal of an airport lounge. It’s a place for people to compare flyer miles and that’s it. Give me a Chilis bar any day.

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"I'm sorry, sir, but your journey ends here."

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That sounds like a Bond villain quote. What a nightmare.

In my opinion there is nothing better than an airport bar. The imagined potential is off the charts with zero chance of anything ever coming of it. There is NOTHING better than hanging out in an airport bar and flirting with women with zero chance of it ever going beyond theirs or your own flight time. Especially when you can expense it.....it don't get more better. The lounges and clubs are boring in comparison.

I think this is almost universal if not recognized by many people. I have had some of the most fascinating conversations with women who wouldn't speak to me under other circumstances and I wouldn't have even noticed. Something about traveling, relative anonymity and adventure come together in just the right mix at airport bars....and there is ZERO chance of it ever going any further. It is great. The airport bar bloody mary is about as close to heaven as a person can get on earth with their britches on....

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Anyone else just prefer hanging with the hoi polloi and knocking back $15 beers

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Absolutely the frick not. Are you out of your mind?

Lounge 100% of the time if I can

Don't drink anymore and this probably highlights why . I used to enjoy when I'd finish a business trip meeting earlier than expected to grab drinks in the airport, then drunkenly decide to upgrade my ticket to Business class so that there was no wait to continue getting drinks as soon as I set foot on the plane. Then ensuring that I drink enough free drinks to make the upgrade worth it.

I was at the Delta sky club in ATL three years ago. Their smorgasbord made the Duff’s Buffet in Clearwater look like a surgical center. In retrospect that’s really a reflection of the guests as well as the staff.

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I had a loooong multi-leg trip last year and spent about 300 on booze and food for the whole day. It's not cheap, but it's better than being sober in an airport or in a plane.

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4 years ago I quit a job that required me to travel about 40 weeks a year. Did it for a little over 4 years. Most of the time I was alone but occasionally a co-worker would travel with me. He was close to retirement, single and was a SERIOUS drinker. We each had an expense account and the company we were contracted to was about as lenient as they come. Depending on where we were going as long as we stayed under about $300 (we had DOD travel orders so government lodging rates and tax exemptions kept lodging very low) a day for lodging and meals they never questioned anything. That dude would blow through $300 on the first leg LOL. If he had layovers it could get really bad. He had been doing it for years and they had been bitching about it for years. I always thought the reason they were so lenient is anyone who didn't expense $500 a day like he did was living frugally. My goal was to always stay as close to whatever vendor's shop I was qualifying so I would not have to commute. He would drink so much he would stay 50 miles away to keep hotel costs down....and would try to share a room if possible LOL.

I just bring a toddler along to liven things up a bit.

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I always laugh at the people that have to look like they're super serious and getting real work done

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Unfortunately I travel sometimes for work and am super busy. I don't try to look super serious though

Lounges are best for working, better wifi often and can find a quiet corner.

If the trip is for pleasure, I enjoy a fun bar instead. But I'll go take a shite in the lounge if that happens.

The domestic lounges are overcrowded and lame; The lounges overseas are where it's at.