The words “business jet” conjure up images of Champagne, personal service, and extreme luxury. But not all private airport terminals, and some of the businesses operating within them known as Fixed-Base Operators (FBO), are created equally.
Some are simple places to refuel your jet, while others encourage you to relax, put your feet up, and stay awhile. Nowadays, many operators are recasting the humble hangar as a five-star hotel lobby experience. The amenities are designed for comfort, whether that means taking a Zoom meeting in a conference room or curling up in front of a fireplace with a hot beverage.
“We’re always saying that this is not a gas station at the airport but we’re in the hospitality business,” says Roger Woolsey, CEO of Houston-based Million Air, which operates luxury private terminals across the U.S. “We’re in the first impressions business.”
The latest of these private luxury terminals will open on September 6 at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson airport. Similar to the first location at LAX, PS will offer massages, manicures, and chef-prepared meals, as well as private on-site TSA screenings and direct transportation to and from the tarmac to your jet. Others have personal shoppers, Rolls-Royces, and a $1 million Sony crystal LED TV for screening movies.
Once you see our favorite private air terminals and FBOs, you’ll understand why many private fliers never want to go back to the airlines.
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Million Air FBO, White Plains, NY
Image Credit: Million Air Just 30 miles north of New York City, Million Air terminal in White Plains, N.Y., is a full-service FBO more akin to an Adirondack lodge. The stone-and-wood-buttressed lounge beckons travelers to curl up in a leather club chair with a barista-made drink in front of one of half a dozen fireplaces. The $50 million business aviation hub is Westchester County’s first new FBO complex in decades and includes a golf simulator and attached drive-in valet garage with heated floors.
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Heathrow VIP, London, UK
Image Credit: Heathrow The private terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport features eight private lounges where travelers can enjoy a meal designed by Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton and served by a personal butler. A personal shopper can take you to the terminals for a curated experience that includes shopping brands such as Chanel and Cartier. The experience begins with a luxury car service transfer to the airport, time at the terminal, and, after check-in, you are driven directly to the aircraft.
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Jetex Dubai, Al Maktoum Airport
Image Credit: Jetex The Jetex terminal at Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport is designed for a hassle-free experience, from the concierge who collects your luggage to the agent who processes your passport for customs and immigration. The cavernous main hall employs a pianist who produces calming tunes behind a white grand piano. There’s an entertainment lounge with ping pong, billiards, and one of the world’s only $1 million Sony crystal LED TVs. There’s also a fully equipped boardroom for business travelers to hold meetings without leaving the terminal. Its airport shuttle is a fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms.
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PS, LAX and Atlanta
Image Credit: PS Across the runway from LAX, PS provides travelers—including Hollywood celebrities—with total privacy. The offsite luxury terminal has business aviation’s only partnership with both TSA and Customs and Border Protection, featuring a VIP entrance and private on-site security screenings, customs processing, and direct transport to the aircraft. The new lounge feels like a members’ club where guests can eat, drink, work, or relax. PS also has a collection of suites, which include a stocked pantry bar, daybed, sitting area and shower spa. Beyond the intimate spaces, the private air terminal offers chef-prepared meals and spa services that include manicures and massages. The company is opening its second location in September at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It will have the same amenities as LAX, but artwork and sculpture will be by local Atlanta artists.
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Kayan Jet, St. Kitts’ Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport
Image Credit: Kayan Jet Kayan Jet in St. Kitts boasts one of the Caribbean’s foremost private jet terminals with five-star resort vibes. The relaxed, rattan-themed lounge offers fine dining, private offices, outdoor terraces, nap rooms, and a duty-free shop where luxury purchases can be customized to your list before you board your jet.
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Fattal VIP, Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv
Image Credit: Fattal Group The 14,000-square-foot Fattal VIP terminal at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport, opened by the Fattal hotel group, features plush private suites with showers and butler service, a business center, and a cigar lounge. The new private complex helps passengers move swiftly through the country’s strict security protocols by including check-in points, border control, and access to the runway. The best news for those not on a business jet: You don’t need to be flying privately to reserve your space in the terminal.
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American Aero, Dallas-Fort Worth
Image Credit: American Aero Owned and operated by aircraft owners and pilots, American Aero serves business travelers in the high-traffic Dallas-Fort Worth area. A bit more utilitarian than the others on this list, the 8,600-square-foot FBO boasts a fully stocked refreshment bar and a private crew lounge with a shower and soundproof sleep room. Private-jet travelers give this FBO especially high marks for prompt and friendly service, plus easy access to the airport.