Airport News

New service at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport lets you board plane in luxury

The service includes chauffeurs in BMWs.

Private Suite

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is adding a new facility that'll make the airport experience more luxurious.

Called The Private Suite DFW, or PS DFW, it's a private terminal for everyday passengers taking commercial flights, that lets travelers avoid regular airport terminals.

The service includes a separate terminal, private TSA and customs clearance, luxury spaces, and a "back door" to your commercial aircraft, with white-glove service before and after your flight.

According to a release, construction is underway, although the opening date is still TBA.

The offering was founded in 2017 and opened its first outpost at Los Angeles International Airport. There's also a PS opening at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in 2023.

DFW will be a 12,200-square-foot facility adjacent to Corporate Aviation at DFW, and will feature both Private Suites and The Salon signature lounge.

Services include: chauffeured BMW transportation to and from the aircraft door, private TSA and customs screenings, and state-of-the-art amenities.

The design, amenities, and chef-led culinary program will reflect Dallas-Fort Worth culture, which they describe as a blend of Western heritage with modern, cosmopolitan sensibilities. Cue the cowboy hats.

In a statement, DFW's Executive Vice President Revenue Management and Customer Experience Ken Buchanan says that the airport welcomes PS and the opportunity to elevate the customer experience with this unique new option for travelers.

"They can have a more personalized experience to and from their flights at DFW," he says.

PS owns and operates private airport terminals that allow commercial travelers to bypass the public terminals, in order to get a private and seamless travel experience with the spirit of luxury hospitality.

PS guests get access to luxurious lounges or designated private suites, chef-prepared food, and spa services.

A "control room" coordinates with government, security, and airline officials to make the task of getting on the plane less tedious. Anyone can become a member of PS and corporate memberships are available.

Such luxury does not come cheap: In Los Angeles, the lowest starting rate is $995 for a one-time user. Sign up for an annual membership and that drops down to as low as $695. But truly, no price is too high for the luxury of avoiding the unwashed masses.

openings transportation

Holiday News

American Airlines expects record-setting travel on Thanksgiving 2024

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

American Airlines ready for takeoff.

The holidays are looming and American Airlines is ramping up. Over the upcoming Thanksgiving weekend, the Fort Worth-based airline expects to process nearly 8.3 million customers across more than 77,000 flights.

According to a statement from American's COO David Seymour, the airline is having a good fall season and canceled fewer flights than its peers during October.

“Thanks to the hard work of our 130,000 team members, we canceled fewer flights than any of our major competitors this October and beat our own records for on-time departures and arrivals,” Seymour says.

That's surely good news. One hates to rain on their parade, but in June 2024, the only flight I booked this year, my flight was canceled less than 24 hours before take-off. I had made hotel reservations, scheduled a pet sitter, planned events, and arranged for a friend to pick me up at the destination airport. One employee speculated that it may have been "insufficient crew." Their only solution offered was: Feel free to reschedule your flight.

Thanksgiving facts and figures
The travel window runs from November 21 to December 3, and the airline expects to carry more than 500,000 more customers than it did last year.

The most-traveled day will be Sunday, December 1. The second most-traveled day will be Monday, December 2.

The peak of peak: 1,035 mainline and regional aircraft will be enroute at 10:45 am on Sunday, December 1 — the highest number of flights handled at any given time during American’s travel period.

The airline expects to serve more than 6.8 million Biscoff cookies on board from November 21 to December 3.

Travel tips
Download the American Airlines app and check in for your flight, noting added any bags to your trip. This will save you time at the airport.

If traveling internationally, download the Mobile Passport Control app, which can speed up your entry into the U.S. Global Entry members can download the Global Entry app, which allows you to submit your entry and go straight to the officer.

Upon arrival at the airport lobby, scan your mobile boarding pass to print bag tags quickly at a kiosk. If you’re not checking bags, go straight to TSA security with your mobile boarding pass.

holidays