Emirates Woman investigates five of the best, and most unique, VIP offerings from airports around the world.
As travelling has become more luxurious, airports have transformed. Fast food has become five-star dining while major fashion labels are packing themselves into waiting halls alongside passengers. What was once endured is now enjoyable, with VIP services offering the cherry on the cake for those willing to pay a little more. From faster check-in to wedding planners, these services turn airports into utopias.
London Heathrow
Cost: £2,750 (Dhs12,280) for up to three people
London Heathrow’s VIP service is the most complete service of its kind anywhere in the world, basically turning the entire airport experience into a mini-holiday. After being chauffeur driven from their home or hotel to a private entrance at Heathrow, passengers are met by a concierge who leads them to a VIP lounge and organises everything from that point onwards. Luggage is whisked away, check-in arranged and a private security screening conducted, leaving passengers free to relax in their private lounge or enjoy Heathrow until it’s time to leave, at which point a luxury car will deliver them to their departing flight.
What makes it special?
The list of activities the concierge can arrange would put most five-star hotels to shame. Michelin-starred British chef Jason Atherton is responsible for the menu in the VIP lounge, which changes every month depending on seasonal ingredients. Once you’ve eaten, a personal shopper can take you shopping, offering fashion advice along with styling, gift ideas and travel accessory picks. They speak a variety of languages, and can even present a curated range of items to people in the lounge, if they’ve pre-booked. heathrowvip.com/VIP.
Stockholm Arlanda
Cost: SEK 3,650 (Dhs1,516) for up to three people
Arlanda’s VIP service may not be quite as complete as Heathrow’s, but it’s not short on luxury. After being chauffeured to the airport’s VIP entrance, you’ll enjoy a private security screening and check in from the VIP coordinator. A bottle of Bollinger champagne (or a non-alcoholic alternative) will be on hand to lubricate your passage between the car and lounge, as well as handmade pralines. The lounge was created by the famous Swedish architect and interior designer Jonas Bohlin, and the first thing you’ll see as you walk in is an alley of cherry trees.
What makes it special?
Recognising that airports are a fairly common feature of many people’s lives, Arlanda offers an Airport Corporate Card for SEK 25,000 (Dhs10,385), letting travellers use the VIP service up to ten times within a year – which could be handy for people who find themselves going back and forth a lot. More unusually, the airport also allows a VIP couple to get married in either the lounge, or the airport control tower for SEK 6,000 (Dhs2,492), which would be interesting for those wanting the shortest possible gap between wedding and honeymoon. Wedding planners are on hand to arrange everything, and after the ceremony, you’ll receive all the benefits of the VIP service. swedavia.com.
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Dubai International
Cost: Dhs1,500 for one person, plus Dhs50 for each family member
As the cost suggests, The Al Majlis VIP service is a very family friendly offering. A limousine handles the drive to the airport, while check in, immigration, and baggage are handled by a personal assistant – with the twist being the airport will provide a female staff member for female travellers and families. Aside from the primary lounge, there are six smaller lounges for individuals and families looking for a little privacy, as well as a dedicated currency exchange and duty free section.
What makes it special?
The VIP lounge offers everything you could possibly need before or after a long flight, including a complimentary shoe-shining service, back massages and foot rubs. Shoppers can take advantage of a personal assistant, who will guide you through the airport’s impressive array of Duty Free shops, offering style tips along the way. dubaiairports.ae.
Singapore Changi
Cost: Starting at S$400 (Dhs1,055) per person
The major draw of Changi’s VIP service is the JetQuay – an entire terminal dedicated to luxury travellers. The range of services start with a basic meet-and-greet, all the way up to the Jetside signature service, but anybody who enters the JetQuay is living the high life. As is customary, guests enjoy an airport chauffeur and speedy check in, followed by a buggy to their plane minutes before take-off. The VIP lounge has a kids’ corner, rain showers, day rooms where you can retreat for a sleep and a luxury buffet that changes its menu daily.
What makes it special?
Let’s talk about Jetside, because that’s where luxury gets dialled up to eleven. Jetside guests are given private suites within the VIP lounge, a personal butler who’ll pack bags, iron shirts or tend to your requests and a luxury car on to the runway – rather than the buggy. The point of all this is complete privacy, with the airport promising you’ll never see another guest. At a cool S$1,500 (Dhs3,960), it’s pricy privacy, but some people really don’t like having their picture taken. jetquay.com.sg.
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Saint Petersburg Pulkovo
Cost: RUB 7670 (Dhs447) per person
Drive directly to the VIP Lounge and your car will be parked on your behalf while a VIP coordinator takes care of your check in and baggage. As with Dubai, the lounge is interesting because it’s actually comprised of numerous smaller lounges, including family rooms, meeting rooms, and a kids’ play area, for anybody hoping to tire out their children before boarding the plane. A staff member will fetch VIP guests when it’s time to leave, escorting them to the aircraft in an Audi A8 L executive-class car.
What makes it special?
The lounge has its own private shopping area, specialising in premium cosmetics, making last minute present buying a breeze. More interestingly, the food in the VIP lounge is provided by Ivan Berezutsky, a Russian chef who trained under Ferran Adria at El Bulli in Spain. He runs the Twins restaurant in Moscow and has been making a name for himself with brash, inventive Russian cuisine. pulkovoairport.ru/en/passengers/vip.
Words: Stuart Turton
