Air France sauna scandal set straight as airline reveals why it really closed

For years, passengers passing through Paris Charles de Gaulle airport could enjoy a relaxing lounge luxury. The perk disappeared, and online whispers began, which were much more colourful than the explanation from Air France.

Air France really did have a sauna at Charles de Gaulle

Air France’s Terminal 2E, Hall L Business Lounge opened in 2018 with an unusually ambitious wellness area. Covering more than 550 square metres, it included two private saunas, luxury showers, Clarins treatment rooms, relaxation spaces and a detox bar. Air France promoted private sauna sessions as part of the lounge experience for Business Class passengers and Flying Blue Elite Plus members.

How a closed sauna became an internet sensation

Reports about the closure gained attention after travel writer Matthew Klint of Live and Let’s Fly visited the lounge and found the former sauna area closed, with a “Staff Only” sign on the door. According to his report, a lounge manager was asked whether the closure was temporary. The manager reportedly explained that some passengers had been “doing things in there that they should not have”, a remark that was taken as a discreet reference to sexual activity.

Internet speculation then took the comment several steps further, with social media posts suggesting passengers had effectively turned the private sauna into an airport sex room. One widely shared post reportedly attracted thousands of likes and tens of thousands of shares before Air France itself joined the conversation.

Air France denies the steamy explanation

Air France has publicly rejected the claim that inappropriate sexual behaviour caused the closure. Responding to an Instagram post about the rumours, the airline said the men’s and women’s sauna was closed in September 2025 because of low usage and as part of an effort to standardise services across its Charles de Gaulle lounges. The airline says the decision was a fairly ordinary business and service choice, not an attempt to stop passengers getting too friendly in the steam room.

What passengers can still use

Travellers have not lost all of the lounge’s relaxation facilities. Air France continues to advertise showers and relaxation areas at its Charles de Gaulle lounges, complimentary 20-minute Clarins treatments are still available in designated areas. Current Air France information for Hall K, for example, lists showers, relaxation facilities and Clarins treatments, but no sauna.

Air France’s official explanation is low usage and standardisation, so no evidence points to any funny business being the reason for closure. So, the practical answer is unfortunately for many people much less exciting than the online gossip version.