LOS ANGELES- A viral video encouraging travelers to pack meals from Delta Air Lines (DL) lounges—like the Delta Sky Club at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)—has ignited fierce online debate. The influencer behind the video claims that not doing so is a missed opportunity to maximize lounge access value.
The advice: bring containers, fill them with hot and cold buffet food, and eat them mid-flight instead of paying for onboard meals. While some see it as clever budgeting, others question the ethics and policy violations involved, ViewfromtheWing reported.
Photo: DeltaDelta Lounge Takeout Tricks
A content creator recently went viral after suggesting travelers take full advantage of airline lounge buffets by filling Tupperware containers and smuggling them onto flights.
Her video, recorded at Delta’s Sky Club at LAX (DL), encouraged viewers to treat lounges like all-you-can-eat restaurants with a takeaway option.
The influencer pointed out that lounges serve an array of foods—meats, vegetables, sandwiches, and snacks—but only allow a limited stay.
Since in-flight meals are often small and overpriced, she argues that maximizing lounge access means packing extra for later. Her suggestion: “Load it up, seal the container, and enjoy it mid-air.”
A post shared by HellthyJunkFood (@hellthyjunkfood)
But this advice is controversial. Lounge policies at Delta, and other carriers like United Airlines (UA) and American Airlines (AA), typically prohibit removing food from the premises.
Delta’s terms of use for its lounges explicitly restrict guests from taking buffet items to go, making such actions a breach of lounge rules.
Photo: DeltaTravelers Push Boundaries at U.S. Lounges
The trend isn’t isolated to one traveler. Reports have surfaced of passengers discreetly (or blatantly) removing large quantities of food from premium lounges.
At John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), a couple was seen filling duffel bags with food from the Chase Sapphire Lounge. In another instance, a man packed ribs and garlic chicken into a carry-on after stacking three buffet plates.
Some see it as a way to “break even” on the cost of premium credit cards or lounge memberships. One traveler calculated that if she takes 36 slices of salami per visit, she only needs 30 lounge visits to offset her Delta Sky Club annual fee.
Yet, there’s a fine line between maximizing benefits and abusing access. Many airlines, especially Delta and American, are already tightening lounge entry policies and fees, partially in response to crowding and misuse.
Photo: UnitedFrom Crackdowns to Grab-and-Go Concepts
Some carriers have recognized the demand for takeaway options and are adjusting. Capital One’s lounges now include high-quality grab-and-go sections placed near exits to encourage takeaway.
United Airlines (UA) has introduced “Club Fly” mini-lounges in Denver (DEN) and Houston (IAH), designed specifically for travelers who prefer to grab a snack and head to the gate.
Delta has dabbled with to-go options as well, but typically restricts them to instances where the traveler doesn’t remain in the lounge.
Still, enforcement remains inconsistent. While some guests are publicly reprimanded for minor infractions like pocketing a banana, others exit with full meals in backpacks without consequence.
Ethics vs. Entitlement
The growing debate highlights a broader tension: What counts as acceptable behavior in a space designed for exclusivity? For some, removing lounge food is a strategic way to get their money’s worth. For others, it’s theft disguised as thrift.
Airline lounges have long been a perk associated with elite status or high-fee credit cards. As more passengers gain access, airlines face increasing pressure to maintain both exclusivity and service quality.
In that context, lounge misuse—whether subtle or blatant—may have long-term implications for access rules, service models, and membership pricing.
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