United Airlines Employees At Denver Airport Unbothered By Unwanted Visitor

United Airlines passengers at Denver International Airport, the new leader in U.S. flight deals, got an unexpected guest in one of the airline’s lounges, and apparently, staff weren’t too bothered about the visitor.

A Reddit user shared a video online of the unwanted guest inside a United Club in Denver, jokingly captioning the post, “They just let anyone into the United Clubs now.” However, the visitor was not another passenger waiting for their flight, but a small mouse darting from underneath the seats.

According to the passenger who posted the video, they pointed it out to United employees. The response was seemingly more relaxed than some travelers might expect.

Airline Passengers Spot An Unusual Guest In Denver United Club

The video, posted on Reddit on September 27, shows a mouse appearing from underneath a chair in a United Club lounge at Denver International Airport. An unsuspecting passenger sits next to the small animal, completely unfazed, and United staff seem just as uninterested.

The poster said they alerted airline employees after spotting the mouse, and staff told them they already knew about it.

“This was just lovely to see today at DEN…Yes. I did show the staff. And yes. They knew apparently. And no. They didn’t seem the slight bit concerned about this,” the poster wrote on Reddit.

According to United Airlines, United Club lounges are accessible to those with a United Club membership, eligible elite status, a premium cabin ticket, a one-time pass, or a co-branded credit card, and are meant to give travelers a quiet place to relax. Therefore, a mouse running about may not have been the most welcome addition for many.

However, spotting mice in airport lounges is surprisingly common. Ongoing heavy construction and vast underground baggage and service tunnels means pests can easily make their way into airports.

“DEN has a robust pest control protocol that includes specialized cleaning as well as indoor and outdoor treatments. When the weather becomes more cold and rainy, mice have the tendency to seek shelter indoors,” a spokesperson for Denver Airport told TheTravel in a statement.

Lounges are particularly attractive since they usually have buffets and travelers dropping food. Denver International Airport is also built on a massive stretch of open prairie, making it a perfect place for mice to seek shelter and warmth.

So, while the unwanted United Club visitor had no interest in catching a flight, the lounge would have offered plenty of other things attractive to the rodent.

Reddit Users Have Plenty To Say About United’s Unwanted Guest

As expected, Reddit users had plenty of fun with the situation. The original post attracted a range of comments, with many joking the mouse was simply acting like a regular United Club member.

“dude’s just looking for a banana to take on his flight. let him be,” one Reddit user joked

Others joined in, with one user commenting, “He’s doing quality control for the cookies,” and another stating, “He told me he has a united club membership.”

One Reddit member showed concern for the person sitting in the chair that the mouse appeared from under. “Did you tell the person that the mouse was next to that this was happening?” The commenter asked. The original poster replied, assuring everyone that the flyer was completely unbothered.

However, not everyone saw the funny side, concerned that a mouse in an airport lounge was a health and safety issue and that staff didn’t seem to care.

“When the mice run unafraid in the open, there’s a BAD infestation. I’ve pointed it out to staff before, they don’t care,” a commenter wrote.

Others agreed, with one commenter writing, “Instead of shutting that place down to take care of the problem they wait until someone sue them for getting sick from mice.”

Some commenters also pointed out that unusual animal encounters aren’t particularly surprising at large airports, especially those with lounges that have buffets. One commenter observed, “Most airports are infested with mice and rats. Huge spaces with plenty of hiding places and lots of food.”

United passengers may be used to employees going above and beyond, with a United pilot even recently having a pizza delivered for passengers on a delayed flight out of Denver, making their relaxed attitude towards the mouse even more surprising.

While it is impossible to know from the original post why United employees reacted the way they did, the mouse would certainly have provided some entertainment for those waiting for their flight.

Denver International Airport Has Multiple United Lounges

Denver International Airport is one of United’s major hubs, and as such, boasts four United lounge locations. The lounges are located across the airport’s concourses, meaning eligible travelers can grab some food, work, or relax in a quieter place without having to go far.

The United Club Lounge in Concourse A West is a 24,000-square-foot clubinspired by Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. It is designed to feel like a ski lodge, boasting two fireplace lounges and vintage decor. Eligible travelers can relax in one of the lounge’s 600 seats split between two levels, and enjoy food, drinks, and a game of shuffleboard.

The United Club Lounge in Concourse B East is a staggering 35,000-square-foot space split across three levels. It is the largest club in United’s network. The space reflects Denver’s beer scene, and guests can enjoy a beer tasting experience along with premium culinary offerings.

The United Club Lounge, located in concourse B West, draws inspiration from Colorado’s summer landscapes. It is 33,000 square feet and features two bars, as well as buffet-style dining, across two levels.

The final United offering at Denver International is United Club Fly, a grab-and-go location with pre-packaged snacks and coffee that passengers can pick up before heading to their gate.

Of course, visitors to the United Clubs might now want to keep an eye out for more than just free snacks and a comfortable seat in case another unwanted rodent guest decides to join them.

TheTravel has reached out to United Airlines and Denver International Airport for comment.