A contingent from the travel trade and ITTN’s Shane Cullen experienced a rare excursion behind the scenes at Dublin Airport. Edel Redmond, Head of B2B and Partner Marketing | Dublin Airport, led the tour of c. 30 travel professionals, beginning in the newly expanded Platinum VIP.
What School Trips Should Be – A Day at the Airport
“The best day ever”, said my inner child as Edel Redmond led her tour through the secret passageways of Dublin Airport. From macabre morgues for bird strike carcasses to the fire station setting a plane alight, this was the stuff of childhood dreams. In fact, if the fire station cannot operate, the entire airport shuts down. Equally fascinating to aviation fans like myself, specialist cleanups are required for every de-iced plane (to mitigate environmental impact from the chemicals), and long grasses deter birds (as there are less visible insects). In fact, the runway is probably cleaner than most kitchens.
For the rest of the travel industry, the far more relevant details on lounge upgrades, airport apps, car parking options, VIP services and more are detailed below.
Edel welcomed ITAA members and members of the media, sharing that the day offered a look behind the curtain – “an insight as to the operations of the airport, the facilities and the services, and a little bit of fun along the way.”.
Niamh Carolan, Head of Travel Services for Dublin Airport
Niamh Carolan, Head of Travel Services for Dublin Airport, presented to the group with plenty in the pipeline at Dublin Airport.
Plenty in the Pipeline – Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport is rolling out brand new EV buses next year. Further along in the pipeline is the launch of a new product based in the Red Car Park. This will offer a premium Red Car Park experience with a first pick-up and first drop-off service from the entrance to the car park.
Car Park Drop & Go – the valet parking experience located in T1 and T2 has been a huge success. Drive to the short-term multi-story car park, hand over your keys and head on your travels. The staff take your car, park it and return it and, having used it on a family holiday, can attest to the process being seamless. Equally, it is only marginally more than the long-term Red Car Park and hassle-free, especially with children. Niamh added that this product also proves popular with the corporate travel sector.
New & Improved Airport Club
April saw the relaunch of the Airport Club, now offering a more premium member experience. The Airport Club has four tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond. Starting with unlimited access to the Express Red Car Park, fast track, lounge access and duty-free discount – the perks increase as you move through the tiers.
Bronze Benefits (€1,500 for 12 months)
- Unlimited access to the Express Red Car Park: No booking needed — just show up and park. 8000 spaces, 24/7 security, shuttles to T1 & T2 every 10 mins.
- Unlimited access to Fast Track — powered by Grant Thornton: Fly through security in either terminal. Bronze members never need to book again.
- Unlimited lounge access: Unwind before you fly in any of our luxurious lounges. Enjoy complimentary food & drinks while relaxing in a calming space.
- 10% off Dublin Duty Free: Save on your travel essentials and shop top brands online or at the airport.
Silver gives members everything detailed above for Bronze Members, but also provides unlimited access to Short Term Car Parks (€3,000 for 12 months).
Gold Members also have unlimited access to Drop & Go Parking (as well as short-term car parks). Fast track access is for the member plus a guest in either terminal. Gold members also have unlimited lounge access for you & one guest. Membership costs €3,750 for 12 months.
Diamond Members (€4,500 for 12 Months)
- Unlimited access to Dublin Airport’s Premium Car Parks: Diamond members enjoy their very own private car park, featuring extra-wide bays, EV charging, and quick terminal access — all without needing to book ahead.
- Unlimited access to Drop & Go Parking
- Unlimited access for you & two guests to Fast Track
- Unlimited lounge access for you & two guests – unwind in any of our luxurious lounges before your flight.
- 2x One-way Platinum VIP Experiences for you & a guest: enjoy your very own private terminal for two separate trips.
- 15% off Dublin Duty Free
Niamh highlighted a key feature of the Airport Club, based on customer feedback, is that there is no requirement for members to book the car park or the lounges in advance – members just need to show up.
Along the same vein, the Fast Track unlimited membership was developed in direct response to customers or members wanting only Fast Track. This product offers digital membership, explains Niamh, “No physical cards, and it gives you unlimited access to Fast Track, and you can purchase a six or 12-month membership”.
Platinum VIP at Dublin Airport, 24/7, 364 Days of the Year
Platinum VIP, the private terminal service at Dublin Airport, has expanded its capacity with the addition of four new suites, increasing the total to ten. The suites feature bespoke Irish furnishings, fine art, curated menus, and every comfort clients could want. A fleet of hi-spec luxurious BMWs, along with chauffeurs, is on hand to drive guests from the suite to the plane. The expansion also includes the launch of the Sean Lemass Room, a high-spec boardroom equipped for video conferencing.
The expansion will allow the private terminal to accommodate an additional 26,000 passengers per annum, bringing overall numbers closer to 66,000 guests. Platinum VIP services were developed to meet increasing demand from corporate executives, international delegations and members of the public seeking a “unique and discreet airport experience”. Niamh highlighted that there are even a few celebrities. Equally, honeymooners splash out for that extra-special experience before jetting off into the sunset.
Platinum VIP is located just after Terminal 1 in what many of us of a certain vintage would know as the old airport. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 364 days a year. It offers personalised service, a dedicated check-in, as well as separate security to T1 and T2. Seamless travel comes as standard in Dublin Airport’s private terminal, with a long list of service awards showing their skill at hospitality. Platinum VIP is available for both commercial and private flights, designed for those who deserve the best.
Niamh shared that the price point is reasonable when compared to European airports. It starts at €475 for the first person, and there is a reduction for each subsequent person.
Fast Track Facelift
Fast Track is getting a facelift with the facility moving from its current location to a new home at the Mezzanine Area in T1. Niamh explains, “It’s going to be a premium experience. We’re focusing on look and feel, and the premium element to it.” When you clear the security screenings at T1’s Fast Track, there will also be an entrance into the new lounge. Equally, Fast Track will be revamped in T2 with a streamlined journey, clearer branding, upgraded kiosks and an improved passenger experience.
Operation Transformation – Dublin Airport Lounges
The lounges are undergoing an entire transformation program and rebranding across four of the five locations at Dublin Airport (one is Aer Lingus-owned and managed). The Liffey Lounge, the Martello Lounge, the newly refurbished Liberties Lounge and 51st & Green (after US Pre-Clearance) are part of this project.
All four daa-managed and operated lounges are a combination of airline agreements, direct online sales and also open to pass card users and walk-ins. The objective is to give each of these four lounges its own identity and personality with themes that relate to its namesake.
With a greater emphasis on direct online sales, via website and app product positioning coupled with marketing initiatives such as double rewards, etc., this has translated to strong revenue generation.
The price range for the lounges ranges from c. €29 to €50, with the latter reflective of the walk-in rate. Previously, the seating capacity of all lounges was 477 seats. This will significantly increase to 780 seats, highlighting the size and scope of this expansion project.
Stacey Roe (Head of Executive Lounges at daa) highlighted that the lounges are for everybody. These are not specific to an airline or a class of ticket, e.g. business class customers only. Everybody is welcome and can book online. The daa is zoning the lounges so that there is a dedicated space for everybody who wants to use a lounge. In the meantime, with two lounges currently closed for refurbishment, temporary lounges for airline passengers have been established with locations in both T1 and T2.
The Liffey Lounge (formerly known as the T2 Lounge) will be the entry-level lounge with the narrowest offering and limits on alcohol, etc. The Martello Lounge will offer a more boutique, elevated experience with more plush furnishings, a serviced bar and barista coffee. The experience for guests in the Liberties Lounge and at 51st & Green will be the most premium lounges with the widest offering.
The Liberties Lounge footprint will significantly increase to 1300 sqm and offer new and improved views. 51st & Green will showcase a 360-degree bar in the heart of the space. It will feature an additional 100 seats and will offer a VIP area. The Liberties is expected to open in March 2026, with the new and improved 51st & Green set to greet guests from April 2026.
With the new products and services at daa, customers also have a new and improved way of purchasing them via Dublin Airport’s new app.
