London’s Heathrow has grabbed a chance for good publicity by positioning itself as a guardian of good feelings that encourages “max hugs” for departing passengers after a New Zealand airport put a 3-minute cap on cuddles at the gate.
Dunedin Airport posted the sign above, saying that three minutes is “plenty of time to pull up, say farewell to your loved ones and move on.” It also defended what was quickly labeled a “cuddle cap” as kinder than the drop-off fees now charged at some airports.
Heathrow’s response, shown above, takes a a quite different line; an airport spokesperson said the airport encourages travelers and well-wishers to “take as much time as they need in Departures.”