I’m off to Asia right now on my Starlux A350 first class trip, and the fun started before I even left the United States. I’m flying Starlux first class from Los Angeles (LAX) to Taipei (TPE), and Starlux lets its first class passengers use PS LAX, which is the private terminal concept at the airport.
I’ve written about PS in the past. While the concept launched at LAX, it has since expanded to Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), and Miami (MIA), and the intent is that passengers on commercial flights can skip the main part of the airport altogether, and relax in a private terminal lounge, clear security at a dedicated TSA checkpoint, and then be driven straight to their plane.
While I’ll have a full review soon, in this post I’d like to share some initial thoughts. Goodness, what a nice experience this was! For what it’s worth, if you were to outright purchase access to The Salon at PS LAX (the experience I had), it would cost $1,295 per person per visit. So I very much appreciated having this included with my ticket (Starlux is the only airline at LAX that sends its first class passengers here at no extra cost).
The PS LAX experience is fun, offers amazing food & drinks
With my Starlux first class ticket, I had access to The Salon at PS LAX, which is essentially a communal lounge, where you can hang out prior to your flight. It’s completely disconnected from the rest of the terminal, and is located on the other side of the airport, near the FBOs and cargo facility.
The Salon is nice, but it’s nothing huge. It just consists of one large room with a wall in the middle, and there are basically four seating areas, along with some high-top seating. During my late night visit, there were at most three other people there, and at the end, I was the only guest (note that there’s also The Private Suites at PS LAX, where guests have private suites separate from this area, so I don’t know how many people were using that, if anyone).
The idea is that you can arrive up to three hours before departure, and then enjoy a selection of complimentary food and drinks, which are really stellar. The traditional “welcome” is some caviar and champagne. Ummm, okay, I could get used to this (but will try not to!).
Beyond that, I decided to order the signature PS Martini (yes, the olives are indeed stuffed with caviar).
When it comes to food, I ordered the grilled corn salad, with cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, corn vinaigrette, pickled sweet peppers, and cilantro.
Then I ordered the branzino, with potato and leek vichyssoise, heirloom bean salad, salsa verde, and pickled carrots.
The food was phenomenal, and absolutely restaurant quality. It’s worth noting that you can also order food to go, in case you’d rather eat on your flight.
Then when it’s time to depart, you’re escorted through a private TSA checkpoint…
…and then you’re put in a car, and get a ride across the airport to your flight. PS LAX is located on the south side of the airport, so it’s around a 10-minute drive to most terminals, if not more. If you’re an aviation geek, that makes for some great plane spotting… how cool!
We then pulled up to the Starlux A350, and I was brought up the elevator to the terminal level, where I was met by a Starlux employee, and was the first to board.
I have to admit that this was an incredibly seamless and luxurious way to depart. Furthermore, every PS employee was super friendly. The facility is very well staffed, and I can’t imagine how many people it takes to keep everything running.
This is more about a great experience than saving time
I’m impressed by the way that PS has grown its network over the years, as the concept seems to be working. When the concept first launched, there was only The Private Suites, as the focus was on offering a private experience for high profile people who want to minimize their time in public and in terminals (while still flying commercial).
Then the brand launched The Salon, which almost seems to be the opposite concept. It’s intended to be social, presumably in part a way to network with other people willing to drop that much on a pre-flight experience (perhaps reflecting overall trends in ultra-luxury travel). Not only does it come at a lower price point, but it also targets a different kind of consumer. I think it’s really smart the company went in that direction.
Now, a few thoughts:
- While I absolutely don’t want to drop this amount to use PS on every trip, I think the price is actually fair given the experience offered; the overhead is massive, the facility is well staffed, the amount of coordination with airlines is huge, the food and drinks are great, etc.
- I wouldn’t view this facility as saving any time; for international flights you have to arrive at PS LAX two hours early, and you could easily arrive at the airport that long before departure and make your flight with plenty of time to spare, especially if you have TSA PreCheck
- Ultimately you do this either to splurge for a special occasion, for the seamlessness of not having to worry about anything, or because money simply isn’t an object, and you want the best experience possible
What I find funny is that so much of the narrative around PS is established by influencer-types who get invited for free, but the most common claims I see from them don’t actually reflect reality. Not because it’s not a good experience, but because they’re focusing on the wrong thing.
PS MIA recently opened, and there was this one comped influencer who “reviewed” the experience and raved about how much time it saved her, because she was leaving the airport within one hour of the arrival of her international flight. Oy.
Even with a checked bag and Miami’s typically horrid baggage claim waits, I’m usually home within an hour of my international flight landing in Miami. I’m not sure that really makes the point she thinks it does.
Bottom line
I’ve been wanting to check out The Salon experience at PS, and I’m delighted that my Starlux first class ticket included that at LAX, since this would otherwise retail for $1,295. What an incredible ground experience this was, with great food and drinks, friendly staff, and a truly seamless experience from start to finish.
I wouldn’t expect to save much time (if any) by using PS, but you definitely save hassle, and it turns what most people consider to be the most stressful aspect of the travel experience into the most relaxing.
What do you make of PS LAX, and its overall value proposition?
For a special trip leaving from Atlanta the lounge choices are awful -- doesn't matter which airline. You can go to a skyclub (Sky team) which isn't special, but is fine if it's not packed, a particularly nasty contract lounge (One world, because the AA lounge which is at the opposite end of the airport closes at 8:30pm and Star Alliance as the United lounge is right by the AA lounge and closes at 9pm.)...
For a special trip leaving from Atlanta the lounge choices are awful -- doesn't matter which airline. You can go to a skyclub (Sky team) which isn't special, but is fine if it's not packed, a particularly nasty contract lounge (One world, because the AA lounge which is at the opposite end of the airport closes at 8:30pm and Star Alliance as the United lounge is right by the AA lounge and closes at 9pm.) or an overcrowded Centurion lounge.
I'm seriously considering PS for my wife's 60th birthday trip to have a nicer start to the trip. The whole trip will be a splurge and we could afford to do it once.
Harder to justify someplace like LAX where TBT has some very nice lounges, although quality does vary depending on alliance.
This is awesome, nice one Lucky!
I love the idea of this, I get 2x free visits a year from Amex which I have yet to use as I've not had a flight through an airport serviced by PS, except DFW and they havent finished their contract with Delta yet so....couldnt use it. I very much want to try it but its tough if your MSP based -_ -
@Colin is that with the Centurion card?
Would I do this for $13? Sure. If I was 100× richer (which wouldn't get me any notice), this would effectively just $13 to me. But would I plop down the $1300 then? As best I can speculate, I'd have trouble with that. Minds are a funny thing, even little ones like mine.
All of this “luxury” around lounges is confusing….people with real money are not purposefully arriving early at the airport to enjoy the lounge…I assume their time is much more valuable than that…so at a certain point all this so-called luxury is counter-productive
So... "people with real money" are a monolith, know exactly what they want, never waste any money and time... OR, those that can afford such luxury are people, too, with many of the same imperfections, and can often be wasteful, petty, and nonsensical at times, like anyone else (only difference being that they have more money).
Thsnks for the review.
Any wine list? What brand was the champagne?
Presumably Ben will do a full review in the not too distant future. He usually gives us his quick thoughts while he's on the trip, and then once he returns does a very detailed review of the lounges, flights, and hotels.
It only has this potential because LAX is a over crowded hellhole
It only has this potential because LAX is a over crowded hellhole
Silly.
If I want a restaurant quality meal, I'll go to a nice restaurant.
Why bundle restaurant and airport experience?
The purpose of a lounge is to make waiting tolerable where variance in traffic/transit/security times makes it necessary to get there early enough to assure not missing the flight, but schlepping to the opposite side of an airport then needing to arrange additional time to then get schlepped back to where the airplanes are? Madness.
They drive you across the tarmac directly to your plane. The additional time needed is maybe 10 minutes.
I think I get one free visit as an AA CK. I've got no plans through the end of the year to be in or connect through LAX but if I do I'd check it out, assuming I have sufficient time, for the car ride. Lounges per se do not excite me. They are more utility to me.
Does one "tip" at a facility like P/S?
I would certainly hope not at those prices.
My usual point of departure is FRA. Flying LH first international you check in at the FCT. Leave keys with valet,or arrive in taxi. Walk inside, hand your tickets and passport to an agent, hand in luggage to be tagged(next seen upon arrival), walk through security and are escorted through the lounge and shown seating area, dining area, showers and sleeping area. As far as I know, there is no time limit. I have been...
My usual point of departure is FRA. Flying LH first international you check in at the FCT. Leave keys with valet,or arrive in taxi. Walk inside, hand your tickets and passport to an agent, hand in luggage to be tagged(next seen upon arrival), walk through security and are escorted through the lounge and shown seating area, dining area, showers and sleeping area. As far as I know, there is no time limit. I have been in as long 5 hours due to connecting flight. Food and wine is very good.
When it is time to board, the agent will come and get you and take you to elevator, to go down to ground level. Immigration checks your ticket and hands you back your passport. And then wisked to your plane.
For all international flights on LH and Swissair. Also available for Econ and buness for Hon Circle members. This has been around for more than 20 years. And there is no charge for admission.
When the price of admission comes close to the price of an FC ticket, I doubt its sanity. After all, the really "important" people don't want to talk to you anyway. Now if it was 1990, I would make an exception!
@alanz Aww, thanks! I'm yet to experience it, but I appreciate your overview and endorsement, as well as Ben's review (https://onemileatatime.com/reviews/lufthansa-first-class-terminal-frankfurt/).
And if LAX, Miami, and the other locations had such a facility, then this wouldn't be a thing. But most airports don't have a facility such as the FCT, or if they do it is only for people flying one or two specific airlines.
What rubs me the wrong way is the 3 hours limit. At that price tag? Come on. What if your meeting or whatever ends earlier than that? I'd doesn't seem like the lounge has no capacity to accommodate 5 more people who may arrive a bit earlier.
Finally the review ive been waiting for!!! so glad you had a great time at PS, Ben!! cant wait to read the full review. it truly is amazing what they've created. btw, its $995 if you have membership
What's interesting is that it's an alternative for foreign airlines that don't have great ground experience, at premium outstations. As an example, compare LAX-MXP and think of how would AF's full F package compare to LX or LH factoring in the net fare difference of about 4k in favor of AF's competitors.
@Ben--The question you ask in this article's headline, "Is it worth it," is one you already knew the answer to: it depends entirely upon the individual. To me, the answer is firmly "no.". I don't see it as something I would pay for as a standalone service and I am guessing you feel the same way--you were quite honest about its inclusion in your first class fare on Starlux and that you didn't pay extra...
@Ben--The question you ask in this article's headline, "Is it worth it," is one you already knew the answer to: it depends entirely upon the individual. To me, the answer is firmly "no.". I don't see it as something I would pay for as a standalone service and I am guessing you feel the same way--you were quite honest about its inclusion in your first class fare on Starlux and that you didn't pay extra just for PS. That said, I am a firm believer in experiences and trying things once. I did treat a friend to Delta's private tarmac Porsche transfer service with reserved SkyClub seating at JFK once but it was at a much lower price point. It was a fun experience because my friend wasn't a frequent flier and was quite surprised by the whole thing. I am glad I tried it but haven't done so since.
I have a couple of questions:
1. As I have very little experience with caviar (I am happy just to get ikura at a sushi bar), your photo of the caviar service intrigued me. Are those potato chips on the plate with the caviar tin? If so, I am a little surprised (and already tasting a lot of salt).
2. How did you book your Starlux first class ride? If I paid a ton of cash for F, I might view the PS value proposition differently.
3. What happens if more airlines start bundling PS into F fares? Does that make the lounge more crowded, less exclusive, and maybe lowers its perceived value?
Regarding time saving, how much better or worse was the traffic getting to PS compared to the main terminals? Could imagine for evening departures, if coming from South LA, Long Beach sort of areas, this could be a small additional benefit, leave a bit later and have less stress about journey time. Still can't justify the price tag
It's probably a noticeable time saving if flying during mid-to-peak hours, if only because you don't have to navigate the parking lot that is the horseshoe that goes around the LAX terminals. If you're coming from the south most certainly, but even coming from the north you can plan to go around LAX rather than through it.
I wonder…. how much caviar does one eat before it becomes boring?
And are you on a low sodium diet? :-)
It’d be cool to do a post of F options that come with a private terminal like this. In addition to Starlux providing PS access, I believe Air France La Premiere includes access to the similar BTG Pactual private terminal in GRU and something similar in TLV. I understand why AF doesn’t provide PS access at LAX given how seamless their current setup is but they should consider doing so at MIA, at least until the dedicated Air France lounge there is up and running.
What would happen if a passenger (with access to PS through an airline) simply shows up 4 or 5 hours (or more) before their flight (just like when one visits the LH FCT for example)?
@ hbilbao -- It's a good question! You get several emails and messages leading up to arrival telling you that you're invited to use the facility up to three hours before departure. I would guess there's some buffer, and that they won't send you away if you arrive 3hr15min early. But I imagine if you arrive five hours early, it might be a different story. It's a good question, but based on how clearly they...
@ hbilbao -- It's a good question! You get several emails and messages leading up to arrival telling you that you're invited to use the facility up to three hours before departure. I would guess there's some buffer, and that they won't send you away if you arrive 3hr15min early. But I imagine if you arrive five hours early, it might be a different story. It's a good question, but based on how clearly they tell you when you can arrive, I imagine not many people make that "mistake."
Makes sense of course, but it's fascinating to think about how they would deal with someone trying to pull an "Amanvari" at PS.
"Oops I got toooooooo many messages and didn't see the one that said that I should only show up 3 hours before departure!"
Better not to give anyone ideas though.
Enjoy your Starlux flight, @Ben. Make sure to eat all available meals!
@ hbilbao -- Hah, yeah, it's a great question. And I promise I won't let you down when it comes to trying all the meals! :p
Do you check into your flight at the counter, and then, how do you access the lounge?
@ docntx -- Nope, PS takes care of all the formalities for you, including checking bags. You never have to go to the check-in counter.
so, then, you're saying thar time *is* saved...
@ henare -- Well, it depends on a variety of factors, of course. And it also depends on whether we define "saving time" as not having to arrive at the airport so early, or as just not having any tasks to do at the airport.
If you arrive in Miami with a foreign passport that does not qualify for global entry, getting through in an hour is usually very speedy processing. And even having global entry, with checked luggage the hour can easily be exceeded in MIA. I don't know the influencer in question, and I don't need to watch the content. But there are many possible reasons why that might be a fair observation. Based on all my international...
If you arrive in Miami with a foreign passport that does not qualify for global entry, getting through in an hour is usually very speedy processing. And even having global entry, with checked luggage the hour can easily be exceeded in MIA. I don't know the influencer in question, and I don't need to watch the content. But there are many possible reasons why that might be a fair observation. Based on all my international arrivals into MIA, I would have been very happy to have been through in just an hour. Not happy enough to pay the PS fee though.....
@ CPH-Flyer -- I hear you, but it was an American, and a Miami local. Even if you don't have Global Entry, Mobile Passport Control should get you through in no time.
"...with cucumbers...and cilantro."
You...you actually, purposely put cilantro into your body?
DISGUSTING!!!!!!!111!!!!!!! CALL YOUR NEAREST POISON CONTROL CENTER IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!!
Cilantro is yummy, but cucumbers... Those would make me call 911, lol.
@TravellinWilly--It's pretty well known that an aversion to cilantro is often genetic. I don't have that gene but know someone who does. If you have the gene, cilantro tastes horrible. To me, it doesn't do much of anything to improve a dish's flavor but it doesn't taste bad either. I suspect that is the case for a large majority of the population. None of that matters if it affects you, though.
Lucky, does the fact that this is included with Starlux first change the value proposition at all? Since it was otherwise hard to find a big difference from business?
@ PointsandMilesDoc -- The totally differentiated ground experience definitely makes a difference. And stay tuned regarding how much of a difference there was onboard between first and business class. :p
This is a gigantic waste of money. This money could go to charity.
You probably donate a lot to The Cancer Fund of America.
Or you meant Charity, the stage name for an exotic dancer.
Absolutely agree with it being a waste; $1300 for some caviar and a ride to the plane? I'd have to be dining next to the taxiway with two shots of Louie XIII to justify it!
If you think that’s a waste of money you’re not the target clientele for the service (and neither am I for the same reason!)
Certainly makes more sense than the Chase Reserve suites at LGA. The whole point of this is avoiding the terminal - sure the caviar and facility looks nice (and potato chips and caviar are excellently salty together). Otherwise it's just a really nice lounge with caviar.
Hands down the best preflight experience for a business class flight.
Doesn't the Centurion card offer a few Salon visits as an amenity? I know it's not published, but I'm 99% sure this is the case from speaking with my clients who book it fairly frequently and I know which of them are PS members. I do think that's also a consideration.
It's a pretty great product and if you are traveling with a group/family, then I do fully by the "it saves you time"...
Doesn't the Centurion card offer a few Salon visits as an amenity? I know it's not published, but I'm 99% sure this is the case from speaking with my clients who book it fairly frequently and I know which of them are PS members. I do think that's also a consideration.
It's a pretty great product and if you are traveling with a group/family, then I do fully by the "it saves you time" argument, especially if you're flying premium economy or even business class. Just in terms of the layout, there is significantly less ground movement and walking to be done.
@ pstm91 -- Yeah, there are some ways to get free visits, via the Centurion Card (as you mention), and even via some airline loyalty programs (I think American Concierge Key members get a free visit as well).
Agree it's a great product, but I think there's a difference between "saving time" and "less ground movement." You're right, you have to walk all of 100 steps from when you arrive at the airport until you're...
@ pstm91 -- Yeah, there are some ways to get free visits, via the Centurion Card (as you mention), and even via some airline loyalty programs (I think American Concierge Key members get a free visit as well).
Agree it's a great product, but I think there's a difference between "saving time" and "less ground movement." You're right, you have to walk all of 100 steps from when you arrive at the airport until you're on the plane, but it doesn't change that you have to arrive further in advance, and the drive is longer than most gate walks.
LAX Ground services ranked.
1. PS
(SQ, JL and NH should be offering this)
2. Air France La Première (Separate check-in and private TSA. Car drives you over to the lounge. Board directly from the lounge onto the aircraft (jetbridge used just for La Première). You never have to see another person.
In many ways - 1 and 2 are equal. From an AV Geek standing, I need my lounge to have...
LAX Ground services ranked.
1. PS
(SQ, JL and NH should be offering this)
2. Air France La Première (Separate check-in and private TSA. Car drives you over to the lounge. Board directly from the lounge onto the aircraft (jetbridge used just for La Première). You never have to see another person.
In many ways - 1 and 2 are equal. From an AV Geek standing, I need my lounge to have views of apron/runway traffic :-)
3. Delta One setup - Amazing, but it's a shame you have to end up back on the concourse to reach your gates. As a new build, the lounge should have been above the main gates used for international service (SYD, AKL, HND, CDG) etc. Or connected by a corridor which drops you off at the gates.
With private-ish built-out terminals at LAX, UA and AA could offer something similar to D1 if they wanted to.
@ Jordan -- Yep, I think you got the order exactly right!
What's impressive is that the Delta One setup is accessible with relatively affordable D1 fares compared to true F or PS.
You have to give credit where it's due, the JFK and LAX D1 ground experience is elevated.
@ yoloswag420 — Totally agree, and I’ve had nothing but good things to say about both setups.
This sounded like the La Première experience in CDG, without the caviars. Excellent.
In the olden days you could tell a good FC lounge from a bad one as they would ask if you wanted to be first or last to board. Being last was the real privilege, AV geekery aside, as you could sneak onto the plane as the door was closing. Surprised PS doesn't try to really replicate that to at least a tiny extent.
they do, you can easily tell them if you want to board first or last.
I’ve used the PS (Salon) at LAX, DFW, and MIA, and it’s pretty great from both a luxury and convenience standpoint, I think it’s worth the money and I’d buy a membership if it existed at my home airport. It was especially great for an international to domestic connection at MIA. Food is great, liquor is top shelf, and staff is fun.
I does seem like a seamless experience and it looks to be a really nice facility but at $1300pp I can't see the situation where I would pay for this over just going to the terminal, especially if accessing the D1 or QF First lounges.
May I one day have enough money to not care about that level of cost
There's obviously a market, or it would have closed long ago. It's a world of difference between the Qantas first lounge that's stuffed to the gills with every Oneworld emerald in the terminal and a facility like PS. If it's not a value proposition to you, then you're not their target demo.
Privacy is another market need this serves and LA has a larger pool of people who value privacy than most markets
Bunch of B-list public figures can easily afford PS. They're all over LA.
There are so many public companies, there CEO, CFOs and other top executives I am sure put this expense on company
"if you were to outright purchase access" ... $1,295. Ouch. No, thanks.
But, if it's already 'included' with JX F, then, yes, worth it, for sure.
Agreed. Honestly looks like it increases the value proposition of a JX F ticket, but hard pass if I had to pay for it.
Outright buying JX miles to redeem for this flight now looks slightly less bad of a deal.
Glad I read all the way down in the comments before posting as I was going to highlight this point exactly. Costly, I know, but this seems like a fun thing to try at least once to experience JX F if you can get at least the same deal as Ben got with purchasing the points.
I just wish the Alaska Airlines partner awards would come back. Folks like @Samar got the sweet deal PHX-TPE in J for 85K. Oh, and if we’re sharing our wishlists, how I wish JX flew from NYC.