Jazmin Li
Smoking is a health hazard and is not permitted in public areas of airports. However, many airports provide designated smoking areas and lounges to accommodate smokers. These lounges are located throughout the airport, near gates, in the departures and arrivals terminals, and in some airport restaurants and bars. Some airports, such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, have multiple smoking lounges in each concourse, while others offer outdoor smoking areas near ticketing and baggage claim. Additionally, some airports feature smoker-friendly cigar shops and cocktail lounges with a pay-to-play system, requiring a minimum purchase for lounge access.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smoking in airport airline lounges in the US | Not permitted in most airports |
| Smoking in airport airline lounges outside the US | Permitted in some countries |
| Examples of smoker-friendly airports in the US | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, Nashville International Airport, Miami International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport |
| Examples of smoker-friendly airports outside the US | Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, Airports in Mumbai, India |
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What You'll Learn
Smoking lounges in airports
Smoking is generally prohibited in public areas of airports. However, many airports have designated smoking lounges located throughout the airport, often in each concourse or terminal. These lounges are usually fitted with smoke extractors and can sometimes be found using airport maps. In addition to indoor smoking lounges, some airports also offer outdoor smoking areas near ticketing and baggage claim.
For example, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the winner of the most smoker-friendly airport in the US, has at least two designated smoking lounges in each of its concourses, except Concourse D. Nashville International Airport also offers smoking lounges near Gate B10 and Gate C10, where travellers can purchase cigars and other items.
In the United States, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas also permits smoking in its gaming lounges by the B, C, D, and E Gates. Miami International Airport permits smoking in an open-air atrium attached to TGI Friday's on Concourse D.
Outside of the US, Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, and airports in Mumbai, India, also offer smoking lounges in both the departure and arrival terminals.
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Smoking in airport restaurants
Smoking is prohibited in public areas at most airports, especially those in the United States. However, some airports provide designated smoking areas, such as lounges, located both before and after passport control or security. These lounges are usually equipped with smoke extractors and can be found in nearly every terminal and on most floors.
While smoking is generally not permitted in airport restaurants, some airports do have designated smoking areas within certain restaurants. For example, Miami International Airport (MIA) permits smoking in an open-air atrium attached to the TGI Friday's restaurant. Additionally, there have been reports of smoking sections in airport restaurants in the past, such as in Chicago, although smoking rooms in US airports have been consistently removed during renovations.
At Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, smoking is allowed in the gaming lounges by the B, C, D, and E Gates, as well as in the airport's restaurants. Nashville International Airport (BNA) also has a smoking lounge near Gate B10, where they serve cigars, among other items.
In Mumbai, India, smoking lounges can be found in both the departure and arrival terminals. These lounges are located near specific gates and in the retail and arrival hall areas.
It is important to note that airports with smoking lounges usually have strict no-smoking policies outside of these designated areas, and fines may be imposed for non-compliance. Additionally, smoking on airplanes flying to, from, or within the United States has been banned since 2000.
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Airports with smoker-friendly policies
While smoking is prohibited in most airports, there are still some airports that offer designated smoking areas for travellers. These areas are usually in the form of smoking lounges, which can be located both inside and outside the airport. Here are some airports with smoker-friendly policies:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is considered the most smoker-friendly airport in the US. With the exception of Concourse D, each concourse has at least two designated smoking lounges. In Concourses A and F, the smoking areas are located on the upper level. Concourses B, C, E, and T each have a smoking lounge on either end.
Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas
At Harry Reid International Airport, smoking is permitted in the gaming lounges by the B, C, D, and E Gates. Additionally, Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport is also known to be smoker-friendly.
Miami International Airport (MIA)
At Miami International Airport, smoking is permitted outside the terminals on the Arrivals and Departures levels across from Concourse D, E, F, H, and J. Smoking is also allowed in an open-air atrium attached to the TGI Friday's restaurant on Concourse D.
Nashville International Airport
Nashville International Airport has two smoking lounges offered by the Graycliff Cigar Company. One is located at Concourse B, and the other is at Concourse C by Gate C-10. The entry fee is $4, and handcrafted cigars and tobacco products are available for purchase.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, India, offers smoking lounges in both the departure and arrival terminals. In Terminal 1, the smoking lounges are located next to Belt Five and between Gates 26 and 27. In Terminal 2, they can be found at Level 4 retail, Gate 28 (international departures), Level 3 retail, and Gates 42 and 47 (domestic departures).
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands has designated smoking areas both before and after passport control. Before passport control, smoking areas are located outside Schiphol Plaza, while after passport control, most smoking lounges are inside airport bars.
It is important to note that smoking policies are evolving and becoming more restricted. Always check the specific airport and local laws for the most up-to-date information on designated smoking areas.
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Airports with the most smoking lounges
While most airports in the United States are completely smoke-free, there are still a few airports that provide designated smoking areas. Here is a list of airports with the most smoking lounges:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the world and has been named the most smoker-friendly airport in the US. With the exception of Concourse D, each concourse has at least two designated smoking lounges. For quick reference, you can find smoking lounges at Concourse B7, B24, C15, C28, D5, D7, E8, E17, and E30.
McCarran International Airport (Las Vegas)
It is not surprising that Las Vegas, also known as Sin City, has abundant smoking areas in its airport. Smoking is permitted in the gaming lounges at Gates B through E, which double as mini-casinos. Additionally, you can find smoking areas in the main terminal before security at the Bud Track Lounge, above baggage claim in Terminal 1, in the Great Hall near Terminal D, and between Gates E1 and E14 in Terminal 3.
Nashville International Airport
Nashville International Airport offers the Graycliff Cigar Company, located near Gates B-10 and C-10. Here, you can purchase tobacco products and access the attached smoking lounge.
Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport has smoking lounges across from Gates B37, C2, and D30.
Tampa International Airport
Tampa International Airport is unique in that it allows travellers to access fresh air while smoking without having to go through security again.
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
This airport features a Graycliff Lounge near Gate B11, where you can purchase cigarettes, cigars, chocolate, and coffee.
It is important to note that smoking laws and regulations may change over time, so it is always a good idea to check for the most up-to-date information regarding smoking lounges at specific airports.
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Alternatives to smoking lounges
While many airports offer smoking lounges and spaces for travellers, smoking lounges are becoming less common as airports adopt no-smoking policies. However, there are alternatives to smoking lounges for those who wish to smoke or use smoke-free alternatives.
Firstly, some airports offer smoke-free lounges for those who wish to use heated tobacco products or vapes. These lounges are only for those of legal age to use such products. It is important to note that vapes are banned by most airlines and cannot be used on planes.
Secondly, some airports have "pay-to-play" systems, where smoker-friendly cigar shops and cocktail lounges are available, but access requires a minimum purchase. For example, Nashville International Airport has the Graycliff Cigar Company, which has an attached smoking lounge that can be accessed with a same-day purchase from the store.
Thirdly, some airports offer designated outdoor smoking areas, which are usually located outside the terminal building. These areas are marked by special signs. For example, Geneva Airport has a spacious and well-designed smoking lounge in the transit area of Terminal T1, and Mumbai Airport offers smoking lounges in the departure and arrival terminals.
Lastly, if you are unable to find a designated smoking area, you can try looking for an alternative outdoor space, such as a patio, or ask airport staff for assistance. Additionally, nicotine alternatives such as nicotine pouches and gums can be considered to manage nicotine cravings in areas where smoking is prohibited.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can smoke in designated smoking lounges and areas in some airports.
Here are some airports with smoking lounges:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport
- Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas
- Miami International Airport
- Nashville International Airport
- Washington Dulles International Airport
- Denver International Airport
Yes, there are smoking areas in airports outside of the US, such as:
- Ataturk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, India
- Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands
Smoking lounges are typically located throughout the airport, including in the departures and arrivals terminals, and near the gates. Some airports may also have outdoor smoking areas near ticketing and baggage claim.
Yes, there are now "pay-to-play" smoker-friendly cigar shops and cocktail lounges in airports. However, you typically need to make a minimum purchase to access these lounges.
