I kicked off my first class quest to Japan by flying Starlux Airlines’ A350 first class from Los Angeles (LAX) to Taipei (TPE). The fun really started before taking off, as Starlux sends its first class passengers to PS LAX, which is essentially a private terminal with attentive service, a la carte dining, and limousine transfers to the plane.

What an absolute treat it was to visit PS LAX, especially when this was included with my ticket (given that it otherwise retails for $1,295+). While I’m not going to suggest this is some incredible deal or that it offers huge time savings, it absolutely is a lovely way to start a trip, and it definitely redefines the airport experience.

In addition to PS LAX, you’ll also find PS ATL, PS DFW, and PS MIA, and the concepts and pricing are similar across the board (though as you’d expect, the design does differ — PS LAX is the original location, so I imagine the newer ones have even better design).

Let me emphasize that since PS LAX was included with my Starlux first class ticket, my booking process for PS LAX was different than it would be for others, and I also didn’t have to pay extra to use it. So first let’s talk about the general pricing and booking process, and then I’ll share my exact experience.

You can find PS pricing below, with the cost being the same across locations.

In all situations, access is permitted up to three hours before the scheduled flight departure time. If you’re traveling internationally and checking bags, you’re asked to arrive at least two hours in advance, while for domestic itineraries, you’re asked to arrive at least 90 minutes in advance.

What’s the difference between The Salon and Private Suite?

As you can see, a PS visit will generally cost you $1,295 per person without a membership, but that pricing can drop as low as $895 per person with a membership. There are also some programs that offer some number of complimentary visits. For example, Amex Centurion Card members and even American Concierge Key members sometimes get a free visit allotment with PS.