Georgia Trend. Feb 2025.

Most people don’t associate fine dining with the airport, let alone the world’s busiest airport. Usually, if you are catching a flight, you may have a few minutes to stand in line to get a cup of coffee or some fast food from one of the airport’s eateries. But the service is often slow and the food mediocre and overpriced. If you are a frequent traveler with status or have a premium credit card, you may be able to get into one of the airport lounges (which is also getting harder). And once you get inside, you will need to walk around the room few times to find a place to sit at and then stand in the buffet line to get a bite to eat.

I write this from Terminal B at Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. At 10:15 a.m., the lounge is serving lunch of prosciutto sandwiches, chicken noodle soup and pasta. And all I want is breakfast!

At another spot nearby, it feels like an alternate universe. Instead of going to the airport terminal, I drive up to a small building about three miles away where there is no traffic. A valet greets me by name, removes my luggage and parks my car. I walk inside a beautiful lounge where I am welcomed with a glass of champagne. There is only one other couple inside, and I find myself a cozy spot on a comfortable leather couch, gazing at the art sourced from area artists.

This is PS. Originally established in Los Angeles in 2017 as The Private Suite, it now includes a location near the Atlanta airport that delivers a luxurious pre- and post-flight experience. PS offers two types of memberships, but you don’t have to be a member to visit.

When I arrive, it is about 9 a.m., and I have not eaten breakfast yet. The server brings out a menu with several breakfast, all-day dining, and drink offerings. Breakfast is served until noon. I opt for a breakfast grain bowl with homemade granola and fresh berry compote; field pea and avocado toast topped with a beautiful garnish of collard greens gremolata and fresh marigold flower petals; and comforting Southern-style chicken sausage and waffles with hot maple syrup and aerated bacon cream.

For lunch, there is a bright and refreshing beets and apple salad with walnuts and cheddar; chicken wings tossed in a sweet and spicy, finger-licking good, habanero-peach buffalo sauce; and a delightful gulf shrimp club sandwich with bacon, lettuce and tomato, among other choices. There’s also caviar service in case you just need a little bite between meals to go along with your glass of bubbles.

There’s an extensive drink menu including kombucha, juices, zero-proof and regular cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, assorted teas and specialty coffees. I opt for a cappuccino.

The dining options at PS are carefully created by executive chef Matt Roman from Southern California and chef de cuisine Morgan Heller, a Michelin bib Gourmand award winner. Their culinary philosophy is to connect travelers with both regionally inspired and global dishes. The menu changes seasonally and features local brands such as coffee from Brash Coffee Roasters, flavored crackers from Georgia Sourdough Co. and almond butter from Georgia Grinders.

The best part about dining at PS is not only is everything is made fresh to order and served to you, but when it’s time to board your flight, you go through the on-site TSA screening, and then a driver will take you directly to your plane. You don’t even need to set foot inside the airport! PS offers the same service in reverse. A driver will pick you from the airplane when you land, bring you back to the lounge, and you can continue to enjoy the culinary experience and amenities included in the membership.

Opened in Atlanta in September 2023, PS is open to both private and commercial flight passengers in LAX and ATL and is coming soon to Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami. If you can afford to go, you may run into celebrities, corporate executives and a few honeymooners.