"Low Usage": Air France Denies Paris Business Class Lounge Sauna Used As 'Sex Den'

Published Aug 23, 2026, 1:02 AM EDT Journalist – Aaron is an aviation and travel journalist with 14 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry. His background spans airport operations, aviation infrastructure, and travel consulting, having worked with global organizations across New Zealand, Europe, and North America. Combining industry expertise with firsthand travel experience across more than 52 countries and five continents, Aaron covers airlines, airports, aviation policy, and the wider travel sector. He is based in Canterbury, New Zealand. His work has been published in Simple Flying and featured by MSN, SAM CHUI Aviation & Travel, EIN News, Pakistan Defence, and Climate Depot. The French flag carrier Air France is putting an end to the risque rumor that its sauna in a business class lounge was used as a 'sex den'. According to People, the airline was forced to address rumors that its lounge at Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG), Terminal E, Hall L lounge was closed due to inappropriate passenger behavior. Suggested by Live and Let's Fly, the airline lounge in Hall L was forced to close due to reports of illicit activity. The facility has a private changing room, walk-in showers, and a wood-paneled sauna (the exact location where the events are suggested to have taken place). Air France Terminal E, Hall L Lounge Hitting The Headlines For Risky Business Credit: Air France During a recent visit, a passenger shared on social media that the sauna and other facilities had been closed. This was questioned by some, and a lounge manager responded by saying that individuals had been 'doing things in there they should not have'. Rumors quickly swirled among aviation news outlets, and an Instagram account shared the events, which forced Air France to respond to the claims that the sauna had turned into a 'sex den'. Air France has responded to the claim, denying that this is what the sauna had been closed for. Simple Flying reached out to Air France for comment, but an airline spokesperson could not immediately be reached. The airline did, however, respond to comments on the Instagram page that sent this event viral: “We would like to deny this information. The men’s/women’s sauna was closed in September 2025 due to low usage and as part of our commitment to standardizing all the services offered in our lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle 2 for our customers.” Air France Lounge Clarins Treatments and Showers Credit: Air France According to the carrier's website, the lounge only lists showers and a Clarins treatment and relaxation area as the available amenities. This includes a 20-minute treatment from the airline's partner Clarins, complemented by showers and rest areas for passengers awaiting their flight. According to Cursednews4u, the airline has only recently removed the sauna as a listed amenity on its website. The lounge, which is located in Terminal 2E and Hall L, is open daily from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM, and the full list of amenities is outlined in the table below: Opening & Access Every day from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM Lounge accessible to passengers with reduced mobility Food & Beverage Bar Refreshments Self-service hot and cold meals counter Connectivity & Reading Free WiFi access Local and international newspapers on the Air France Press app Relaxation & Wellness Clarins treatment and relaxation area Showers Family Kids area Shopping Selection of Air France Shopping products The lounge offers complimentary spa treatments in the relaxation area of the Business lounge, provided by Clarins with special treatments that are developed exclusively for Air France. Skilled Clarins professionals offer the service in a serene seating area using plant-based products. These are on offer between 7:40 AM and 1:30 PM, and 3:20 PM and 8:30 PM daily. Full List Of Air France Lounges At CDG Credit: Air France Air France maintains a total of six lounges at its largest hub, Charles de Gaulle. All located in Terminal 2, with the La Premiere Lounge, Hall K, Hall L, Hall M, 2F and 2G. The carrier is the leading operator at the airport, where it cements the airport as one of the busiest in Europe. Air France's closure of its sauna leaves only one airline still offering the amenity. Finnair has a traditional Finnish sauna within its Platinum Wing at Helsinki Airport (HEL). Last year the airline also tried to trick passengers on April Fools' Day, suggesting it would add an in-flight sauna to its fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft. The rumors of Air France's unexpected 'sex den' within its Paris CDG lounge have now been firmly put to bed by the airline, with the SkyTeam airline explaining that the closure was instead attributed to low usage and wider service standardization.