For a stress-free journey to the airport, you can’t beat a limo turning up at your door. Tom Otley reports on the airlines offering this service
Several airlines in the UK now offer chauffeur services to their top passengers. Book an Upper Class ticket with Virgin Atlantic for a flight out of London Heathrow and not only will you be picked up by one of its V70 or S80 Volvos, but the car will drive you to check-in at Terminal 3, porters will pick up your luggage, you’ll join a dedicated security and immigration queue, and then walk quickly to the Clubhouse lounge.
Passengers love it. A spokesman for Virgin Atlantic says: “Time is of the essence for our travellers and no other airline offers such a quick check-in facility at Heathrow. It takes minutes for passengers to get from the limo to the lounge.”
Bear in mind that although these services might be marketed as “complimentary”, they are normally only available with a flexible ticket. This has led some to question their value, saying the saving on a restricted ticket would easily pay for an airport transfer. This might be true, but the more expensive tickets are often more suitable for business travellers, and sometimes can be cancelled without charge so have a benefit beyond simply a transfer.
It also gives you peace of mind, since if the chauffeur is delayed and you miss your flight, it’s the airline’s responsibility to get you on to the next one. If the same thing happened with a taxi, the airline would be unlikely to be sympathetic, especially if you were on a restricted ticket.
So if it is popular, why don’t more airlines offer the service? First, many premium passengers have their own arrangements in place – corporate clients will have chauffeur contracts, for instance. Second, there’s the added hassle for the airline of having to pick up the bill if a flight is missed. And third, many airlines can’t build the extra cost into the ticket price – you and I won’t pay for it. But for those who will, click here to see the airlines that go the extra mile.
Click here for a map of the UK showing airline chauffeur services.
