With Airport Lounges Becoming Crowded, New Private Terminals Provide a Tranquil Alternative

When it launched at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in 2017, the company behind PS (short for Private Suite) introduced a uniquely Los Angeles offering: an exclusive terminal located off the airport grounds, allowing renowned travelers and other VIPs to bypass the general public until boarding their flights.

Now, over five years later and following a pandemic, PS is set to expand to three new locations to tap into the growing demand from those—famous or not—willing to pay extra to escape the hustle and bustle of the main passenger terminals.

This fall, PS will establish a presence at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, followed by a new site at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport in 2024. In 2025, PS will arrive in Miami, taking over the former regional headquarters of Pan American World Airways, which the company highlights as a nod to the 'golden age of aviation.' It’s conveniently located just across from Miami International Airport.

Owned by private investors, PS is already looking to expand further, with New York, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco next in line, according to PS CEO Amina Porter in her conversation with Dinogo.

“Our goal is to establish a presence in every major U.S. city within the next five years,” Porter mentioned in an email interview.

What is PS and how does it operate?

The PS facility at LAX is essentially a standalone terminal featuring private suites and top-tier amenities, including exclusive TSA and customs screenings, along with high-quality food, beverage, and service options typically found in a first-class airport lounge.

It’s situated outside the LAX terminal complex, which is infamous for heavy traffic congestion—a bonus perk for PS travelers.

Membership services are available in three tiers:

• Salon: A private club-like setting where members share a space and are driven to their flights in a shared vehicle
• Private Suite: A reserved, exclusive space for clients with added luxuries such as a day bed, gourmet meals, spa treatments, and private transport to and from the aircraft
• PS Direct: A service for arrivals that quickly transfers travelers and their luggage directly from the plane to a car, heading to their destination within the L.A. area

PS service pricing begins at $695 for members and $995 for non-members, with annual memberships starting at $1,250.

The private terminal experience compared to flying privately

If you prefer to avoid all interaction with commercial airlines, you could charter a private jet—however, PS claims it can offer a portion of that experience at a more accessible price.

“We often get labeled as a service exclusively for celebrities, but the reality is they make up only a small fraction of our clientele,” Porter explained. “The typical PS user is a premium traveler; some are frequent business flyers, while others are families looking to make their vacations more enjoyable and less stressful, especially with young kids or pets.” She added that another group consists of “those celebrating special occasions who want to indulge.”

Dubbed revenge travel, this trend may partly explain why airlines are investing more in upscale airport lounges for their premium customers. Travel experts point to other influences such as the travel disruptions of 2022 and ongoing staffing shortages within the industry. Luxurious lounges can help offset declining service levels at both airports and in-flight. Airlines are also introducing new perks for their highest-paying customers, like Delta's exclusive first-class check-in at LAX.

“We are experiencing a renaissance in airline lounges,” remarked Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research. With offerings like champagne, abundant meals, and other luxurious pre-flight services, “lounges have taken over much of the inflight experience.”

However, this is true only for the most exclusive lounges. Last year, as travel picked up again, there were reports of overcrowding and lengthy queues at certain airport clubs, particularly those linked to credit card benefits or lounge networks such as Priority Pass.

Don’t have access to a PS private terminal? Explore these luxurious airport venues instead

If a PS private terminal isn’t available at your departure airport, here are some other highly exclusive airport suites, terminals, and lounges that match that level of luxury.

Windsor Suite at London Heathrow

True to its name, the Windsor Suite at London Heathrow Airport is known for occasional glimpses of the royal family. However, affluent travelers can also enjoy its private rooms, personalized security screenings, and meals crafted by a Michelin-starred chef, with rates starting around $3,000 for a party of three.

Lufthansa’s first-class terminal in Frankfurt

As Lufthansa’s premier terminal, travelers can indulge in exquisite food and beverages, as well as access work and rest areas; when it’s time for their flight, they can take an elevator down to the tarmac and be chauffeured to their aircraft.

Emirates’ first-class lounge located in Dubai

In Dubai, the Emirates first-class lounge spans an entire floor of its terminal. Covering 100,000 square feet and accommodating up to 1,000 passengers, it is touted as the largest first-class airport lounge in the world. Additionally, travelers can avoid the chaos at the boarding gate, as they can easily board their flight directly from one of the 30-plus gates that are conveniently accessible from the lounge.