Cashed up members have private 'waiting suites', baggage handlers, separate security check-in, day beds and "don’t deal with paparazzi".
It's not news that LAX is a hell hole to travel through. The long lines, endless delays and insane amount of swarming people can easily do your head in. That is, unless, you have $7500 to spare.
As of May 15, VIP travellers at LAX now have access to an exclusive new terminal — The Private Suite makes the flying process laughably easy, offering luxury waiting suites, a dedicated TSA security line and even transport onto the tarmac in a BMW 7-Series sedan. On airport arrival, travellers are assigned a dedicated eight-person team to escort them to their personal suite, which includes a fully stocked bar and food pantry, two-person daybed, flatscreen TV, private bathroom and views of the airport runways. This team includes two personal assistants, one security personnel and one whom you never meet but handles all of your luggage. The entire process is reversed when members arrive into LAX, so you're covered either way.
According to The Private Suite, it typically takes 2200 footsteps from car to plane, but, for members, they're cutting that number to a cool 70 steps total. While this service is the first of its kind in the States, similar VIP terminals exist at London's Heathrow, Munich and Dubai airports. It's clear each of these services is catering to dramatically affluent humans and, especially in LAX, the Hollywood 'elite' specifically. According to the website, "Members don't walk down long crowded concourses, or line up at ticket counters and boarding gates. They don't deal with baggage. And they don't deal with paparazzi."
All this obviously sounds fantastic, but it comes at a serious price — the cost for The Private Suite during trial period is $3500 for domestic and $4000 for international, on top of your flight. The price does cover an entourage of three passengers, though, and they also offer slightly cheaper shared lounge services for $2000–$2500.
On top of these charges, membership to the program costs an additional $7500 per year, but does get you in at a bit of a cheaper price point per flight. Membership will also get you the crème de la crème treatment, including complimentary in-suite massage, hair, make-up and nail services.
Importantly, photography, video, and audio recordings are strictly prohibited in The Private Suite. What happens in The Private Suite, stays in The Private Suite.
Images: The Private Suite.
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