I’m currently heading to Asia on my Starlux A350 first-class journey, and the excitement began even before departing the United States. I’m traveling in Starlux first class from Los Angeles (LAX) to Taipei (TPE), and Starlux provides first-class passengers access to PS LAX, the private terminal concept at the airport.
I’ve discussed PS previously. Although it started at LAX, it has since branched out to Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), and Miami (MIA), with the aim of allowing passengers on commercial flights to bypass the main terminal entirely, unwind in a private terminal lounge, clear security at a dedicated TSA checkpoint, and then be transported directly to their aircraft.
While a comprehensive review will follow shortly, I wanted to share some initial impressions in this post. Wow, what an exceptional experience this turned out to be! For context, if one were to purchase access to The Salon at PS LAX (the experience I enjoyed), the fee would be $1,295 per person for each visit. I greatly appreciated that this was included with my ticket (Starlux is the only airline at LAX providing this benefit to its first-class passengers without additional fees).
The PS LAX experience is delightful, featuring fantastic food and beverages.
With my Starlux first-class ticket, I gained entry to The Salon at PS LAX, which functions as a communal lounge for relaxing before your flight. It is entirely separate from the main terminal and is located on the opposite side of the airport, close to the FBOs and cargo area.
The Salon is pleasant, though it isn’t particularly expansive. It comprises one large area divided by a wall, with essentially four seating arrangements and some high-top tables. During my late-night visit, there were at most three additional guests, and eventually, I was the sole visitor (note that there’s also The Private Suites at PS LAX, which provides separate private suites, so I can’t comment on occupancy there).
The concept is to arrive up to three hours prior to departure to enjoy a variety of complimentary food and beverages, all of which are impressive. The traditional “welcome” consists of caviar and champagne. Wow, I could definitely become accustomed to this (though I’ll try to resist!).
Additionally, I opted for the signature PS Martini (with olives indeed stuffed with caviar).
For food, I chose the grilled corn salad, featuring cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, corn vinaigrette, pickled sweet peppers, and cilantro.
I then ordered the branzino, accompanied by potato and leek vichyssoise, heirloom bean salad, salsa verde, and pickled carrots.
The culinary offerings were extraordinary, akin to restaurant quality. It’s important to note that to-go orders are also available if you’d prefer to eat during your flight.
When it’s time to leave, you’re guided through a private TSA checkpoint…
…and then you’re placed into a vehicle, receiving a ride across the airport to your flight. PS LAX is situated on the southern side of the airport, resulting in about a 10-minute drive to most terminals, possibly longer. For aviation enthusiasts, this presents an excellent opportunity for plane spotting… how exciting!
We then arrived at the Starlux A350, and I was escorted up the elevator to the terminal level, where a Starlux representative greeted me, allowing me to board first.
I must say this was a remarkably seamless and elegant way to depart. Moreover, every PS staff member was exceptionally friendly. The facility is very well-staffed, and I can’t fathom how many individuals it takes to maintain operations.
This experience is focused more on quality than on time savings.
I’m impressed with how PS has expanded its network over the years, indicating that the concept is succeeding. When it first launched, there was just The Private Suites, aimed at providing a private experience for high-profile travelers looking to minimize their time in public spaces and terminals (while still flying commercial).
Then the brand introduced The Salon, which appears to be an almost contrasting concept. It aims to be social, likely as a means to network with others willing to invest similarly in a pre-flight experience (possibly reflecting broader trends in ultra-luxury travel). Not only is it priced more accessibly, but it also appeals to a different type of consumer. I think the company’s decision to shift in this direction is very astute.
Now, a few reflections:
– While I genuinely don’t wish to pay this sum for PS on every journey, I believe the price is actually reasonable given the quality of the experience; the overhead is substantial, the facility is well-staffed, and the coordination with airlines is extensive.