Taylor Swift has used it. So has Ed Sheeran. And U2, countless times.
he Irish rugby and soccer teams regularly pass through, as does anyone who uses a individual jet... think Beyoncé or Bruce Springsteen. And the Pope.
Oh, and I reckon Michael D. Higgins uses the Presidential Suite.
Welcome to Dublin Airdrome'due south Platinum Services. This tiny VIP terminal has seen more A-list action than most buildings in Ireland, yet despite being just steps from Final ane's Arrivals Hall, how many passengers even know it exists?
When Dublin Airport invited me to trial it with my family on a recent trip, I didn't need to be asked twice. Here's how we got on.
xi.45am: The arrival
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Pól (centre) with Brendan and David of Dublin Aerodrome's Platinum Services
Pól (centre) with Brendan and David of Dublin Airdrome's Platinum Services
"Ah Pól, come up on in!"
It'due south a surreal welcome to an airport. After pressing a buzzer to raise the traffic bulwark almost T1's Arrivals Hall, I'1000 greeted like an old friend. It feels more similar a five-star hotel inflow than the red-centre rush hours I'm used to.
Pulling into a modest parking area, two Platinum Services 'officers' in grey, 3-piece suits come out to meet us. Brendan Irish potato and Dave Mullally unload our luggage, take the keys, and park our car literally 30 paces from the front door.
Clearly, this is not your typical terminal. Nosotros step into an exclusive spread of suites and a individual security screening area where celebs, executives - and anyone else prepared to pay up to €295pp for the privilege - tin arrive and depart 24/7, unencumbered past worldly concerns such every bit security queues and luggage carousels.
It's travel, Jim. Merely not as we know it.
12.00pm: Suite talk
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1 of the suites at Dublin Airport'south Platinum Services
Ane of the suites at Dublin Drome'due south Platinum Services
You can utilize Premium Services for speed, zipping through its fast-track check-in, dedicated security lane and chauffeur-driven ride to the airplane. But you can as well kick back, enjoying the facilities for upwardly to 2.five hours per booking.
That'south our plan. Inside, Brendan and David show us to a private suite - i of vii in the last - where we lose little time in relaxing into svelte seats and leather burrow, turn on a large flatscren TV and hit up the snacks and drinks.
"Would you like a glass of wine? Or champagne?" Brendan asks.
The suite feels plush, if a chip corporate - there are no lifestyle magazines, for example, just copies of riveting reads similar Business Plus and UCD Connect. A Samsung tablet and EVOline wireless charger sit on its desk-bound.
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Snacks at Dublin Airport's Platinum Services
Snacks at Dublin Airport's Platinum Services
There'due south a Nespresso machine, a choice of wines, and beers in the cooler. Nosotros notation real foliage Java Republic teas, and my wife, who is coeliac, nods approvingly at the range of gluten-complimentary snacks.
Complementary nutrient includes decent nods to Irish ingredients - the aerodrome's own 'Nect-Air' dear, for example, Happy Pear hummus, and Goatsbridge smoked trout.
Sam (8) finds Sky Sports within jig time, rolls an aquamarine velvet seat effectually and watches the early kick-off. Tayto and cookies are to hand.
"I like this," the Niggling Emperor says.
12.30pm: Check in
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An Andy Warhol artwork from Gormley'due south Fine Art at Dublin Airport'due south Platinum Services
An Andy Warhol artwork from Gormley'southward Fine Art at Dublin Airport'southward Platinum Services
"Have you your airplane seats booked?" Brendan asks.
"We take," I say. "But we wouldn't say no to Business concern Class."
I'1000 joking, but he narrows his brows.
"Would y'all like me to enquire for an upgrade? There'south no harm in asking," he says. "They're very full, then it's unlikely, but sure nosotros'll requite information technology a go".
"Tin can nosotros travel in the cockpit?" I ask.
"Would the kids like to see the cockpit?" he replies, quick every bit a whip.
I dispense with the Dad jokes. He takes our passports and flight details, and less than half-an-hour later, returns with our boarding cards.
Sadly, Business Class is full... but hey, he tried.
I similar the service. Brendan and David'due south interactions feel easygoing and unforced, natural rather than deferential, only clearly the team knows when to draw the line betwixt personable and professional person. Information technology reminds me of Aer Lingus, at its all-time.
While we wait, David takes me on a quick tour of the suites, meeting rooms and surprising pops of art for sale through a partnership with Gormley's Fine Fine art.... including piece of work by Graham Knuttel and Andy Warhol.
When I go back, our bags have magically been checked in.
1.10pm: Security checks
Our flying is at 1.50pm, and we get a x minute pre-call to let u.s.a. freshen up, use the bath (and chug another Nespresso) before leaving.
The security screening is busy with... nobody but the states. Housed in its own trivial room, nosotros're through in a matter of minutes, crossing a busy airside corridor towards the airport'southward armada of BMW 7 Serial cars (they call them 'limousines').
David and Brendan pull on hi-vis vests and drive us around the frock, straight to the boarding gate. Sam and I note that the car's seat-backs have been pre-warmed. We could get very used to this.
"I beloved when we get honeymooners," Brendan says, as we moving ridge goodbye and board the airplane. "You can really requite information technology everything, offer them champagne and all."
Returning to Dublin
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Dublin Airdrome'south Platinum Services - celebrities, executives and private jet passengers are among those using the terminal
Dublin Drome's Platinum Services - celebrities, executives and private jet passengers are among those using the terminal
Our flying arrives back into Dublin on a stinker of an evening. There is sideways pelting, early darkness, and depression feels general all over Ireland.
When we disembark, two Platinum Services officers are waiting with our proper noun on a placard. They whisk us downwardly a service staircase, into the black BMWs and beyond to the VIP terminal... and its Presidential Suite.
"And so this is how Miggledy travels," I muse, settling into the welcoming arms of a sofa beneath an €lxxx,000 Andy Warhol portrait of Ingrid Bergman. There are cupcakes on the table, fresh tea and coffee, and spanking showers and bathrooms.
At upwardly to €295pp, each-style, Platinum Services is clearly a splurge. But it strikes me that it would make a swell souvenir, honeymoon nowadays, or care for for a special occasion. It'southward also a lot cheaper than business class flights (which can meet the thousands).
Meanwhile, officer Glenn Burke processes our passports and retrieves our bags from the carousel. He even gets an unexpected test - I've lost our luggage receipt, and so he has to place everything using only our tired descriptions ('one is big and black... the other is minor and carmine'). He passes with flying colours.
"Are the bags at reception?" I enquire him.
"They're already in the car," he replies, handing me the keys.
Checking out...
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Chauffeur bulldoze limousines have passengers to the airplane... Photograph: Pól Ó Conghaile
Chauffeur drive limousines have passengers to the airplane... Photo: Pól Ó Conghaile
Platinum Services costs €295pp, including VAT, each-mode.
Prices dip once you parcel passengers, however, with each additional passenger costing €165pp.
NB:Pól was a guest of Dublin Airport. T&Cs and actress charges may utilise. Parking costs extra at €40 per twenty-four hour period. For more, call 01 814-4895 or see dublinairport.com. This story has been updated to reflect cost changes.
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