The secretive invite-only Qantas Chairman’s Lounge has been thrown into the spotlight in recent months – but it’s not the only VIP offering you can find at airports.
Many airports across the world have secret terminals and airport lounges only for the rich and famous, as well as some royals, The Sun reports.
At London’s Heathrow Airport, one of the world’s busiest, there is the Windsor Suite, found next to Terminal 5 and has even been used by the royals including the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate.
There are eight private suites, but they come at a price, costing £3000 ($5700) for three people.
Included in the price is a chauffeur who picks you up from your door and takes you straight to the lounge, as well as takes you straight to the plane.
There is also a private butler, personal shopper, Michelin star food and Andy Warhol artwork.
There are added security features too such as bombproof glass and anti-paparazzi nets.
It’s not just London Heathrow, however.
Munich Airport in Germany is the only five-star airport in Europe and has its own VIP wing.
Every guest gets their own personal assistant, as well as showers and private suites.
And Los Angeles Airport also has a high-roller VIP experience, to be expected with the number of celebrities who travel through.
The Private Suite costs around $11,450 a year for a membership, as well as an extra few thousand for your flight.
You can choose between a chauffeur to drive you from your home to the terminal, or a private helicopter although this costs an extra few thousand too.
Model and TV personality Chrissy Teigen, who is married to singer John Legend, recently spoke about the suite, saying: “There is a terminal a mile from the airport that you pay membership for.
“They do the same security privately and take you to the plane in a car.”
The Private Suite just reopened its second lounge at Atlanta Airport, which is the US’ busiest.
Doha Airport, a busy transit airport, has a VIP terminal too.
Not only is there a chauffeur service, but there are dedicated agents to check in your luggage, as well as do your security and passport checks away from the queues.
And inside is a complimentary spa, which has everything from haircuts and manicures to full body massages.
Depending on which airline you are flying with, many have private lounges only for their first-class passengers.
At Abu Dhabi Airport, Etihad has its First Class lounge which has been compared to a “five-star hotel”.
Singapore Airlines has The Private Room lounge at Changi Airport, and has suites with showers and a cocktail bar.
And at Doha is Qatar Airway’s Al Safwa First Lounge, with thermal spas and jacuzzis, as well as a private entrance for immigration and security.
In Australia, the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge membership list includes the country’s top CEOs, A-list celebrities, and politicians.
The six exclusive lounges at domestic airports across Australia are said to offer a buffet but also table service and an a la carte menu with steak and oysters.
The lounges sit hidden behind unmarked wood-panelled doors.
It has been described as “probably the most exclusive club in the country” by former Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, who walked away from the top job two months early in September.
The club was brought back into the spotlight in August when Mr Joyce was grilled by senators at a hearing for an inquiry into the cost of living.
He had refused to answer questions about whether he had any conversations with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese before deciding to grant his 23-year-old son access or whether he had given any family members of any other politicians a similar free membership.
Mr Albanese faced criticism earlier in August for not declaring university student Nathan Albanese’s membership in his latest statement of registrable interests, despite not technically needing to as he is not listed as a dependent family member.
“I’m not going to comment on chairman’s club membership,” Mr Joyce told the senate committee.
“I’ve got privacy issues where we will not comment on who’s in, who’s been offered it and why they’re there.”
As politicians took aim at Qantas in the following weeks over various issues, they were forced to reveal their memberships.
Five of the seven commissioners of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission were revealed as members and news.com.au also revealed every current Federal Court judge was a member of the lounge.
Following the revelation, the Federal Court said it would establish a public register for judges to disclose membership of Qantas Chairman’s Club.
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission