If you've ever watched a TMZ video of a celebrity walking through an airport, you often see them accompanied by a uniformed airline employee, usually holding a walkie talkie. Celebrities and other high profile travelers get a dedicated escort who takes them from their car, through security, and right to the VIP lounge, without having to wait in lines or deal with crowds.

This VIP service is available to most travelers for a price. Some major airlines offer this VIP-level treatment for a fee and are now starting to publicize it. In a recent mailing from American Airlines, which included my frequent flyer balance and the usual credit card offers, I noticed a advertisement for me to "Be a VIP at LAX, DFW, MIA," along with the image of a rock concert backstage pass. Here's a look at some VIP airport service options for travelers:

American Airlines

American Airlines calls their VIP option Five Star Service, and they claim to handle everything from curbside check-in to baggage claim and everything in between. They coordinate with your car service or transportation, escort you through security (no lines), and also escort you through immigration and customs. Travelers are still subject to security and immigration laws and restrictions; you just don't have to wait in line. Travelers also get Admirals Club lounge access and can pre-board the flights.

Pricing is not outrageous, especially when you consider the time savings. At U.S. airports in Los Angeles, Miami, and both New York City airports, the cost is $125 for the first adult. At the Boston, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, and Washington Reagan airports, the cost is $200 for the first adult. The service is available in a few international airports: Buenos Aires, London Heathrow, Milan, Narita, and Sao Paulo at a cost of $275 for the first adult. Additional travelers on the same itinerary are $75 per adult and $50 per child under 17.

Heathrow Airport

Heathrow offers a VIP service, called By Invitation, for travelers who want or need the VIP treatment, and this can be booked directly with the airport. The service is available for passengers on most airlines, though not American Airlines. British Airways travelers must be traveling in premium cabins, but travelers on other airlines can book the service when flying in any cabin. The service is not cheap -- it's $2,425.50 for a party of up to six people for a single flight, arriving or departing.

Not only do VIP guests get all the full escort treatment through the airport, VIPs also get their own private VIP lounge, like a hotel room. Private, as in just your group, no one else. Security and immigration is done privately, away from the general public for true privacy. Even the drop-off point and VIP entrance is at a different part of the airport, away from the public entrance. This is the same service and facilities used by visiting dignitaries and heads of state.

Freddy Sherman is a world traveler and editor of the travel blog travel4people.com. You can follow him on Twitter @thefredsherman.

Copyright Plane Investigation Crew © 2024