Dublin Airport’s VIP terminal: Contained in the ‘Platinum Providers’ utilized by airport A-listers like Taylor Swift

Arriving at Dublin Airport’s ‘Platinum Providers’ terminal

Pól (centre) with Brendan and David of Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers

The ‘Beyoncé Entrance’ to Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers

Chauffeur drive limousines take passengers to the airplane… Photograph: Pól Ó Conghaile

An Andy Warhol art work from Gormley’s Positive Artwork at Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers

One of many suites at Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers

Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers – celebrities, executives and personal jet passengers are amongst these utilizing the terminal

One in all Dublin Airport’s BMW 7-Collection limousines

Snacks at Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers

Inside Platinum Providers

A cheeseboard at Platinum Providers

Dublin Airport’s VIP terminal: Contained in the ‘Platinum Providers’ utilized by airport A-listers like Taylor Swift

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Taylor Swift has used it. So has Ed Sheeran. And U2, numerous occasions.

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Taylor Swift has used it. So has Ed Sheeran. And U2, numerous occasions.

The Irish rugby and soccer groups commonly go via, as does anybody who makes use of a non-public jet… assume Beyoncé or Bruce Springsteen. And the Pope.

Oh, and I reckon Michael D. Higgins makes use of the Presidential Suite.

Welcome to Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers. This tiny VIP terminal has seen extra A-list motion than most buildings in Eire, but regardless of being simply steps from Terminal 1’s Arrivals Corridor, what number of passengers even understand it exists?

When Dublin Airport invited me to trial it with my household on a latest journey, I did not have to be requested twice. Here is how we acquired on.

11.45am: The arrival

Pól (centre) with Brendan and David of Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers

“Ah Pól, come on in!”

It is a surreal welcome to an airport. After urgent a buzzer to lift the site visitors barrier close to T1’s Arrivals Corridor, I am greeted like an outdated good friend. It feels extra like a five-star resort arrival than the red-eye rush hours I am used to.

Pulling right into a small parking space, two Platinum Providers ‘officers’ in gray, three-piece fits come out to satisfy us. Brendan Murphy and Dave Mullally unload our baggage, take the keys, and park our automobile actually 30 paces from the entrance door.

Clearly, this isn’t your typical terminal. We step into an unique unfold of suites and a non-public safety screening space the place celebs, executives – and anybody else ready to pay as much as €225 for the privilege – can arrive and depart 24/7, unencumbered by worldly issues comparable to safety queues and baggage carousels.

It is journey, Jim. However not as we all know it.

12.00pm: Suite discuss

One of many suites at Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers

You should use Premium Providers for velocity, zipping via its fast-track check-in, devoted safety lane and chauffeur-driven trip to the airplane. However you may also sit back, having fun with the amenities for as much as 2.5 hours per reserving.

That is our plan. Inside, Brendan and David present us to a non-public suite – certainly one of seven within the terminal – the place we lose little time in enjoyable into svelte seats and leather-based sofa, activate a big flatscren TV and hit up the snacks and drinks.

“Would you want a glass of wine? Or champagne?” Brendan asks.

The suite feels plush, if a bit company – there are not any life-style magazines, for instance, simply copies of riveting reads like Enterprise Plus and UCD Join. A Samsung pill and EVOline wi-fi charger sit on its desk.

Snacks at Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers

There is a Nespresso machine, a collection of wines, and beers within the cooler. We word actual leaf Java Republic teas, and my spouse, who’s coeliac, nods approvingly on the vary of gluten-free snacks.

Complementary meals contains respectable nods to Irish elements – the airport’s personal ‘Nect-Air’ honey, for instance, Pleased Pear hummus, and Goatsbridge smoked trout.

Sam (eight) finds Sky Sports activities inside jig time, rolls an aquamarine velvet seat round and watches the early kick-off. Tayto and cookies are at hand.

“I like this,” the Little Emperor says.

12.30pm: Verify in

An Andy Warhol art work from Gormley’s Positive Artwork at Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers

“Have you ever your airplane seats booked?” Brendan asks.

“Now we have,” I say. “However we wouldn’t say no to Enterprise Class.”

I’m joking, however he narrows his brows.

“Would you want me to ask for an improve? There’s no hurt in asking,” he says. “They’re very full, so it’s unlikely, however positive we’ll give it a go”.

“Can we journey within the cockpit?” I ask.

“Would the children prefer to see the cockpit?” he replies, fast as a whip.

I dispense with the Dad jokes. He takes our passports and flight particulars, and fewer than half-an-hour later, returns with our boarding playing cards.

Sadly, Enterprise Class is full… however hey, he tried.

I just like the service. Brendan and David’s interactions really feel easygoing and unforced, pure reasonably than deferential, however clearly the workforce is aware of when to attract the road between personable . It jogs my memory of Aer Lingus, at its finest.

Whereas we wait, David takes me on a fast tour of the suites, assembly rooms and shocking pops of artwork on the market via a partnership with Gormley’s Positive Artwork…. together with work by Graham Knuttel and Andy Warhol.

Once I get again, our baggage have magically been checked in.

1.10pm: Safety checks

Do you know @DublinAirport has ‘VIP terminal’? Received to test-drive its Platinum Providers this weekend… story to comply with! pic.twitter.com/mjRZkuMhhJ

— Pól Ó Conghaile (@poloconghaile) October 28, 2018

Our flight is at 1.50pm, and we get a 10 minute pre-call to permit us clean up, use the lavatory (and chug one other Nespresso) earlier than leaving.

The safety screening is busy with… no one however us. Housed in its personal little room, we’re via in a matter of minutes, crossing a busy airside hall in direction of the airport’s fleet of BMW 7 Collection vehicles (they name them ‘limousines’).

David and Brendan pull on hi-vis vests and drive us across the apron, straight to the boarding gate. Sam and I word that the automobile’s seat-backs have been pre-warmed. We might get very used to this.

“I really like once we get honeymooners,” Brendan says, as we wave goodbye and board the airplane. “You may actually give it every little thing, provide them champagne and all.”

Returning to Dublin

Dublin Airport’s Platinum Providers – celebrities, executives and personal jet passengers are amongst these utilizing the terminal

Our flight arrives again into Dublin on a stinker of a night. There’s sideways rain, early darkness, and melancholy feels basic throughout Eire.

Once we disembark, two Platinum Providers officers are ready with our identify on a placard. They whisk us down a service staircase, into the black BMWs and throughout to the VIP terminal… and its Presidential Suite.

“So that is how Miggledy travels,” I muse, settling into the welcoming arms of a settee beneath an €80,000 Andy Warhol portrait of Ingrid Bergman. There are cupcakes on the desk, recent tea and low, and spanking showers and bogs.

At as much as €225pp, each-way, Platinum Providers is clearly a splurge. However it strikes me that it might make a peachy present, honeymoon current, or deal with for an important day. It is also rather a lot cheaper than enterprise class flights (which may run into the 1000’s).

In the meantime, officer Glenn Burke processes our passports and retrieves our baggage from the carousel. He even will get an surprising check – I’ve misplaced our baggage receipt, so he has to determine every little thing utilizing solely our drained descriptions (‘one is huge and black… the opposite is small and purple’). He passes with flying colors.

“Are the baggage at reception?” I ask him.

“They’re already within the automobile,” he replies, handing me the keys.

Trying out…

Chauffeur drive limousines take passengers to the airplane… Photograph: Pól Ó Conghaile

Platinum Providers prices €225pp, together with VAT, each-way.

Costs dip when you bundle passengers, nevertheless. Two individuals value €360 in complete, for instance, whereas a household bundle (two adults and two youngsters below 12) prices €420.

Group charges can be found (5 individuals or extra) from €165pp.

NB: Pól was a visitor of Dublin Airport. T&Cs and additional fees could apply. Parking prices further at €30 per day. For extra, name 01 814-4895 or see dublinairport.com.

Learn extra:

Overview: What’s it prefer to fly Aer Lingus Enterprise Class?

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