Vacation is supposed to be a time to release stress and get away from the hustle of your routine, but one particular travel aspect tends to be the opposite of a stress reliever — the airport. Between flight delays, missed connections and long security lines, the airport experience can really put a damper on a trip.
While many people trudge through the airport and stress about any interruptions, travel experts say it doesn’t have to be that way. There’s a whole arm of the travel service industry that’s made to make your airport experience less stressful and more personal.
The exact name for the service varies depending on where you are, but the most common one is an airport greeter. “There is airport greeters, airport ambassadors, airport fast track, airport meet and greet … it depends on where you [are] traveling around the world,” said Ron Gorfinkel, a partner at Royal Airport Concierge, a worldwide airport greeter company.
“It’s a service that airlines offer directly as well,” said Jason Squatriglia, a luxury travel concierge.
No matter the name, this airport service takes a lot of the uncertainty out of flying and offers some pretty nice perks, too. Below, travel experts share everything you need to know about airport greeters and why they can be so great to book:
Airport greeters’ main job is to expedite your journey through an airport.
At the most basic level, “the greeter is gonna find the most efficient way through the airport,” Gorfinkel explained. This can mean getting you through lines as quickly as possible or helping you use any machines needed for security purposes (for things like passport scanning, for example).
They’ll also know the layout of the airport well and are aware of any extra security lines that a first-time visitor may not know about, said Ashley Ganz, the founder and CEO of Artisans of Leisure.
Airport greeters will also track your flights and any gate changes, which can help you get to your connecting flight as quickly as possible. If you have mobility issues (or a super-tight connection to catch), your airport greeter can also arrange golf cart service to get you through the airport, Squatriglia noted.
In some places, they can even get you through customs faster.
The exact services available depend on the company you book and the airport you’re using, but some airport greeters can…
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