Qantas Airlines Lounge to Enforce Dress Code

After passenger complaints, staff sent out reminder to dress appropriately.

ByABC News
March 23, 2015, 2:31 PM
The Qantas International First Lounge in Sydney, Australia is seen in a photo released by Qantas in March, 2013.
The Qantas International First Lounge in Sydney, Australia is seen in a photo released by Qantas in March, 2013.
Qantas

— -- Lovers of leisure suits, flip flops and cut-offs, beware. At least one airline may turn you away if you want to use its airport lounges in between flights.

Australian carrier Qantas Airlines, which runs routes between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, is reinforcing a dress code for all Qantas Club members, as well as their guests, required to access the company's international network of airport business lounges. The gist? Sloppy attire is unacceptable.

"Smart, casual dress standards apply at all times," read the terms and conditions for use of the lounges on the Qantas website. "Individual lounge managers will have discretion to administer these standards as they reasonably deem appropriate in the circumstances."

The airline did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment on the conditions and whether the same will soon apply to in-flight attire.

In an earlier interview with news.com.au, Qantas head of domestic product and service Helen Gray said that "the rule would initially be enforced at lounges in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra via a 'friendly reminder' about the dress guidelines that apply."

Reinforcement of the rules comes at the request of frequent fliers, Gray said.

“The vast majority of our members meet and exceed the guidelines, but we have had some feedback from customers that they want to see those guidelines apply to everyone,” she told news.com.au.

Signage advertising the dress code will be posted outside the lounges.