PS (which was initially founded in 2017 as The Private Suite) offers a private terminal at LAX that allows commercial travelers to bypass the public terminals and go through private security checkpoints, be driven to the plane, etc. I reviewed the facility shortly after it opened.
Continue reading: PS At ATL: New Private Luxury Airport Facility
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
They *must* have plans for connecting passengers. Putting Atlanta and Dallas so high on the list just doesn't make sense otherwise. (The one quote in this post even says "...through Atlanta...")
It should be noted that PS membership is free for Centurion cardholders and they also get 1 free visit in conjunction with an intl biz or F ticket a year booked through Amex travel, so there are probably a decent number of potential users right there.
Makes sense to put the private terminals at the hubbs that are the jumping off point for intl travel. While people of this wealth fly private domestically, flying transpacifc/middle east/africa is beyond the range of most private jets. The .1% still need a place to wait.
$1,095 per person to use The Salon
$4,085 for up to four people to use a Private Suite
Is that for each way? Like, $1,095 for departing pax, and another $1,095 for arrival?
If PS has their own customs facility for inbound int'l arrivals, how do they handle checked bags?
So it's for people who can afford to fly premium cabins but can't afford to fly private jets? Though I guess it could work for people who are flying long haul international.
The current strikes notwithstanding, the Atlanta area has a lot of TV and film production. They're probably looking to grab some of the same customers using PS at LAX. Compared to LAX, traffic is better, but security is much worse at ATL.
I moved to Atlanta a few years ago and am constantly surprised at the amount of TV shows/movies filmed here. The airport security lines (even pre-check/CLEAR) and the terminal gate areas are kind of a mess, so I could see this being appealing to high-end celebrity sorts flying to LAX or NYC.
Film/TV tax incentives in ATL have made it the largest production hub in the US for a while now, so they're definitely targeting that environment – as they are with the art and music communities in MIA.
Um, why would JFK not be on the short list? MIA makes sense with all the offshore money in and out.
Yes, its for each way. When departing, they take your checked bags when you arrive at PS, and on arrival same thing, they fetch them for you while you go through private immigration.
Rumour has it theyre trying at JFK but its complicated with so many permits and restrictions etc, so that might take a while.
Amazing news! I wish them all the success in the world. Ben, you HAVE to review them soon, you should do the whole Salon experience on departure, lets say, from ATL, then try PS Direct on domestic arrival to LAX.
That pricing is absolutely ridiculous. Frankfurt Airport now has revamped its VIP Services to offer a very similar experience, at less the half the cost. I would never pay more than a thousand dollars for this.
God imagine having the money to fly private but choosing to live in Atlanta lol
Georgia has become a big movie & tv producing state so this makes sense. I could see something like Tyler Perry's studio having a contract with them for when they have starts coming in & out.
Bingo. This doesn't compete with Peachtree DeKalb (PDK) which is where private jets for Buckhead and north of the city residents with the major wealth are located (although the redevelopment spurred by the recently expanded NA Porsche HQ/experience center [and attached Kimpton hotel] is begging for an OMAAT article in its own right wrapping around the ATL runways as it does). It will be for those who are looking to go where most private jets can't go.
As for why ATL, and not say JFK, it's also because the city understands that one of the key historical drivers of the city is the airport so the airport gets all the concessions it needs (LGA can't even get a subway line built in a city full of subways??). And yes as noted elsewhere, a recent driver of ATL growth is in film production so that will also receive preferential treatment. Additionally, most film production is located south of the city with limited private airport service so that makes this more appealing.
ATL makes sense between the movie and music industry. MIA makes sense due to the wealth traffic vacationing there.
DFW makes zero sense. There’s no high profile vacation traffic or entertainment (music, movies or tech) traffic.
The only other 2 major airports that would make sense are JFK and BOS.
Their business model is sunk thinking DFW will support this nonsense. Why do you think WN is the predominant airport at Dallas’ city airport. Because Dallas & Ft Worth residents prefer LCC service as opposed to VIP service.
So many movies being made in Atlanta (well not right at THIS moment), but perhaps even more lucrative for them would be the number of musical artists. I can see rappers who are getting some attention but not yet big enough to fly private being quite willing to spend the money.
$4k isn't even an hour on a small jet. This is for people who want a nicer experience but can't afford or don't want to fly private. Also international customers who might fly private domestically this is a great option as well. International chartering will make your eyes water at the per hour cost.
It's easier to have the money to fly private if you live somewhere cheaper like Atlanta.
Southwest's success at Dallas Love is a result of the Airport restricted by Federal Law to 20 Gates. SW owns 18 of them.
It would be good if you could review a few of these VIP terminal arrangements - I expect there are quite a lot of us thinking "main terminals are often awful, but is the VIP setup so much better that it is worthwhile?"
I have just realised that you missed an opportunity at WAW recently where it's only about USD350:
https://www.lotnisko-chopina.pl/en/vip-line.html
BER (about USD500) says "The VIP Service cannot be offered to guests flying with Ryanair." but Easyjet apparently doable - do the American setups exclude any LCCs?
LTN has two competing offerings, but no public pricing.
CDG (about USD2000) does not avoid standard check-in.
AMS is about USD800, FRA about USD650; LGW about USD1000.
LHR stands out for having no offering below USD5000 (3 guests) presumably due to lack of space - only 14 suites.
Maybe if Delta charged $1000 to enter their lounge, it wouldn't be quite so crowded.
This obsession that wealthy people have with privacy is pure snobbery. As a travel enthusiast, I usually enjoy my time in airports (other than the security screening) and find that people-watching is an interesting part of the experience. These exclusive lounges look positively stifling to me. I'd rather sit at the bar of a restaurant in the terminal, have a couple of overpriced drinks and maybe have a nice chat with the bartender or a fellow traveler.
It seems like a lot of money until you do it, and then you understand. If you have the cash, it is an entirely different and lovely experience. Plus, since you get gourmet food and unlimited booze, think of it as a very expensive airport restaurant 🙂
...it's only $1,095? So the $95 (less than 10% more) is the issue?
Try it out. Have done VIP service at many airports, this is better than any (including LH first Terminal) except perhaps La Premiere at CDG.
It's an extra $50 if you have checked bags as well. Plus a tip at the bar for your free cocktails...