[DontTurnRight]

What about those whose religion forbids them to drink alcohol. Should they be banned too, on the basis that temptation is being put in their way!

The easiest option would be for BA to ask to see a passengers passport if they suspect them of underage drinking in the lounge.

[BigDog.]

Again Tom a 16/17 can be in a pub unescorted.

[TominScotland]

Yes, true, I am well aware of that, BigDog but they cannot be served alcohol, even with a meal, unless acoompanied by an adult. The issue is, I suspect, unsupervised access to alcohol in the Lounge.

Religion is choice, not the law….

[SimonS1]

Tom – what makes you think this is a necessary step to comply with the law? In fact when you say “(probably) complying with the law” does that mean you know or you are guessing?

In fact why do No 1 traveller lounges have a minimum age of 16 for access – or does a different law apply to them?

[TominScotland]

SimonS1, we are talking about an unaccompanied 17 year old – they cannot consume alcohol with a meal in a pub if there is no adult with them. My (probably) was simply that I am assuming that this is a licencing issue for BA. If normal laws do apply, then BA’s logic is (to me, at least) crystal clear. I really cannot see the problem……

[BigDog.]

England/Wales licensing – A 16/17 may drink beer/cider/wine with a meal period.
Only an adult may purchase alcohol.

Given the alcohol is not “purchased” when in a lounge then it becomes a very ambiguous area.
Would like to know what rules are applied in US States where drinking age is 21.
End of the day as Charle’s P notes, BA’s lounge BA’s rules.

[Ekond222]

..They should have let her in…..and restricted to the creche area of the lounge….

[TominScotland]

I am sorry, BigDog – this is getting boring…..

See http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.direct.gov.uk/en/parents/yourchildshealthandsafety/worriedabout/dg_10026210

“16 or 17 years old
Young people aged 16 or 17 can drink beer, wine or cider with a meal if it is bought by an adult and they are accompanied by an adult. It is illegal for this age group to drink spirits in pubs even with a meal.

In Scotland, 16 and 17 year olds can buy beer, wine or cider so long as it’s served with a meal and consumed in an area used solely for eating meals.”

NOTE THE “and accompanied by an adult”……..

So if the celeb was in the BA Lounge in GLA or EDI, BA’s policy is nothing more than that; if down south, there is an issue….

[SimonS1]

Sorry Tom but there is no legal reason why a 17 year old who has purchased a premium ticket cannot be in the lounge. They cannot consume alcohol unless accompanied, agreed, but that does not prevent access.

If it did the No 1 lounge would not accept unaccompanied 17 year olds as I doubt there is one law for them and one for BA.

Sounds to me more like BA not being willing or able to police it properly.

[TominScotland]

I guess it depends on how No 1 Lounge define “children” as they must be accompanied by an adult (http://www.no1traveller.com/terms.htm). If they mean ‘minor” in England and Wales, that is 18 (16 in Scotland)…….. So I am guessing that their position is much the same as BA………

[SimonS1]

Indeed you are guessing Tom. As it states quite clearly on their website (under ‘Who can use No1 Lounges’) that you need to be over 16. Under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult.

http://www.no1traveller.com/useful-info.htm

So why would the law insofar as it affects BA be any different?

[MartynSinclair]

I believe the VS lounge do have ‘discretion’ as I found out last year when Junior Sinclair (16 at the time) was flying in upper (airmiles I hasten to add) and I went to seek clarification a week before hand.

At first I did get the standard “NO” – but an understanding VS person accepted the lounge offering was part of the ticket and yes, Junior was allowed.

My main reason for making a fuss was this was the first time he was travelling solo and I preferred him in the security of the VS lounge than wondering the terminal. VS did not offer any assistance through the terminal on this occasion.

As for the alcohol, he was under strict instructions – DONT YOU DARE EVEN TRY!

[JordanD]

As to answer comments upthread, there have been a number of threads on FlyerTalk where 18/19/20 year olds have been denied access to BA lounges in the US (and other airlines, if memory serves me right, but definitely BA) as BA are forced to comply with the local laws there, which prohibit alcohol being served to under 21s.

Under that logic, I can see the BA decision on this case.

[canucklad]

Other points to consider are…..

> Are BA’s lounges technically private clubs…my bowling club has different licensing laws from my local ?
> Does ” By invitation only” allow BA to discriminate further than local by laws ?
> If alcohol is not factored into the ticket cost,then BA is technically giving it away,, and that must be covered by different legislation.

[BigDog.]

I prefer the VS discretionary approach, as not only have they paid for the privilege but it would be reasonable for the starlet to want to avoid having to wait in highly peopled areas and associated chance of being harassed.

However I can also see if BA did take the discretionary route that they may be pilloried if a hack was in the longue and decided to sensationalise the story.

Thanks Jordan for the variations dependent upon state/country. Given Ian has viewed the T&Cs which appear not to reference these controls/restrictions it appears BA maybe between a rock and a hard place.

[Author]

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