Why This Luxury Private Terminal Is Better Than Any Airport Lounge
A behind-the-scenes look at PS, the private terminal redefining pre-flight luxury with direct tarmac transfers, suites, and personalized service.
Photo: Courtesy of PS
Airport lounges are not having a moment. These days, many of the once-peaceful retreats have become noisy, overcrowded spaces that are barely better than the public areas of the airport terminal, save for the free food and drinks.
But what if there was a better way for your clients to spend their pre-flight hours? Meet PS, a luxury private terminal that might just be the best pre-flight (and post-flight) experience available today for commercial air travel.
The premise is simple: Skip the hassle of the main airport terminal for an ultra-luxe private lounge, and be driven directly to or from your commercial flight. It’s the same concept as a private jet terminal, but you don’t need to fly private to access it. PS currently operates in Los Angeles and Atlanta, and it’s just broken ground on its forthcoming facilities in Dallas and Miami, which are due to open in spring 2026.
We flew down to Atlanta to test out the PS Terminal and its services—here’s what the experience was like.
PS Upon Arrival
As I stepped off my commercial flight onto the jet bridge, I was greeted by a PS representative. She escorted me directly down onto the tarmac to my private BMW and whisked me across the airfield to the terminal, far from Atlanta’s ever-busy concourses. “We train for weeks to be able to drive here,” my driver noted as we zipped past the Delta jets lined up on the taxiway.
Just 10 minutes after I set foot off my plane, I entered the PS Salon. Because I was arriving from a domestic flight, I could simply walk inside, but PS also has a Customs and Border Protection agent on site for international arrivals—I suspect experience would be even faster than Global Entry at the main airport. I was traveling carry-on only, but if I had checked a bag, I’d have skipped the inconvenience of waiting at the baggage claim to sit at the PS Salon bar with an ice-cold cocktail in hand, awaiting the delivery of my suitcase by PS staff.
While I chose to stop by the terminal to tour the space upon arrival, PS also offers a service called PS Direct, in which guests are driven directly from the tarmac to their final destination. If you’re traveling carry-on only, this is undoubtedly the fastest option to get where you need to be.
Inside the Terminal
In the Salon, I met with PS CEO Amina Belouizdad Porter for Champagne and charcuterie to learn about the semi-private space. It’s designed to feel more like an intimate residential living room than a sprawling airport lounge; PS guests can order drinks and bites here as they await their flights. “All the art is for sale,” Belouizdad Porter explained, adding that the selection in Atlanta, curated by Capital Art Partners, highlights local artists.
She also took me down the hall to the Private Suites, which are individual lounges for up to four guests, each with en-suite bathrooms. Showers, however, are located in a separate space and must be reserved by Private Suite guests.
“You’ll notice on arrival, you’re here before you go through security, so you can have non-traveling guests [in a Private Suite] with you,” said Porter. “So if you’re having a meeting with colleagues who are not flying, you can do it here.” For executives, celebrities, and athletes residing in a city with a PS terminal, this could be a major time-saver. And for those traveling without their families, it’s a lovely place for a farewell.
PS Before Departure
I made full use of the Private Suites the next morning, as I made my way back to PS for the departure experience—I feel that PS really shines here. I made sure I arrived early to take full advantage of the amenities.
The first order of business was breakfast: iced coffee, overnight oats, and a platter of fresh pastries, the leftovers of which PS staff tucked into packed in a to-go box for my flight. There was also a mini fridge of other beverages and a basket of snacks, all complimentary. I also peeked into a travel accessories basket with anything you might’ve forgotten, from headphones to phone chargers, also free. Next up was an in-suite table massage that had me feeling perfectly relaxed before flight; manicures and barber services are also available on the spa menu.
And finally, it was time to head to the plane. A PS representative handed me my boarding pass and ushered me to the private TSA screening facility within the PS terminal—I was the only one there, so there was zero wait. But even if the Salon were at full capacity, I imagine the process would be extremely fast. Then I hopped back into a BMW that drove me directly to my aircraft, climbed the stairs into the jet bridge, and walked onto the plane. My experience could not have been easier, and it was a far cry from the chaos inside Atlanta’s main terminal, even if you have access to Delta Sky Clubs or the Centurion Lounge by American Express.
What’s the Cost?
As you might expect, PS commands the high prices you’d expect of a luxury service.
Without a PS Membership, à la carte access to the Salon costs $1,295 per person; a Private Suite costs $4,950, covering up to four guests; and PS Direct costs $1,650 per person. Annual memberships provide discounted rates, but the membership fees range from $1,250 to $4,850 per person per year.
Pricey? Without a doubt. But for high-net-worth individuals looking for the most luxurious and convenient airport experience in Los Angeles and Atlanta—and Dallas and Miami starting next year—it’s a no-brainer.
