VIP suites at airports/ ports provide a quick, private and efficient way for VIPs and their accompanying delegations to arrive and depart the UK. Staff at the VIP suites are experienced in handling high-level visitors, including Royal families, Heads of State, Heads of Government, and Senior Ministers. The FCDO Protocol Protective Security and Arrival & Departures Team (PSAD) recommends that where possible, Missions book and pay for VIP suites to ensure their VIP visitors’ arrivals and departures operate smoothly and are handled efficiently.
The VIP suite services available at each airport/ port can vary. Some airports/ ports have no VIP facilities and therefore VIPs and their accompanying delegations will be required to use the normal arrival and departure channels.
PSAD advise that Missions contact the relevant airport directly or view their website for further information about what VIP Suite facilities an airport/ port offers, and their associated costs. Missions are responsible for the cost of VIP facilities for all other categories of visit, with exception of the first arrival and final departure of their Head of Mission (HOM) where applicable. The FCDO only covers the costs of VIP Suite services for FCDO-designated State Visits and Guest of Government visits.
The cost of using a VIP suite for private flights is included in the aircraft handling fees.
HMG hosted Events
For HMG hosted events, it is not guaranteed that the FCDO will provide invited VIPs arrival & departure arrangements (complimentary VIP Suites / FCDO Special Representatives) at airports/ ports, and such arrangements may vary from event to event. Missions will be given details via the specific event Administration Note of any FCDO provided arrival & departure arrangements.
HEATHROW
Heathrow VIP Suite Service
The Heathrow VIP Suite service (www.heathrowvip.com) can be booked directly and diplomatic rates apply. This service includes bespoke immigration and security arrangements at the VIP Suite.
Contact details
Email: enquiriesvip@heathrow.com
Telephone: 020 8757 2227
Booking Arrangements and Access
Heathrow updated the booking and arrangements process for their VIP Suite Diplomatic bookings (payable at the ‘diplomatic rates’), for further details see NV A198/23 issued in August 2023.
Arrivals
- VIP Suite bookings arriving into T2, T3, T4 will be processed through the Royal Suite (airside ID required).
- VIP Suite bookings arriving into T5 will be processed through the Windsor Suite.
Departures
- VIP Suite bookings departing from T2, T3, T5 will be processed through the Windsor Suite.
- VIP Suite bookings departing from T4 will be processed through the Spelthorne Suite (airside ID required). Passengers and Greeters will need to arrive at the Windsor Suite where they will be driven across to the Spelthorne Suite by Heathrow VIP staff for processing and departure.
Airside IDs
It is likely that an airside ID will be required, Missions must be prepared.
For non-travelling persons to enter the Royal or Spelthorne Suite at Heathrow Airport, they are required to hold either a full or temporary ID. Temporary ID holders will need to be escorted by a Full ID holder.
Royal Suite Booking Transfers
If a Mission wishes to transfer the booking from the Royal Suite to the Windsor Suite, this needs to be requested, will depend upon availability, and will be subject to ‘black service rates’ (not the ‘diplomatic rate’) which are payable by the Mission.
|
Number of Guests |
Rates (exc. VAT) | |
| Diplomatic | Black Service | |
| 1-3 | £1,650 | £3,025 |
| 4-6 | £2,200 | £3,850 |
| 7-9 | £2,750 | £4,675 |
| 10+ | From £3,300 | From £5,500 |
Heathrow Meet & Assist
Heathrow offer various Meet & Assist companies, which can be booked and paid directly. This service does not fast track their customers through immigration/ security : https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/meet-and-assist-concierge-service
Accessibility & Mobility Assistance
https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/accessibility-and-mobility-help/
BIRMINGHAM
To facilitate the arrival/ departure, the delegation may wish to use the Premium Arrivals Fast Track and/ or the Express Lane Security services at Birmingham Airport. You can find more information at the following website:
Premium Arrivals Fast Track – Birmingham Airport Website
Express Lane Security – Birmingham Airport Website
MANCHESTER
To facilitate the arrival/ departure, the delegation may wish to use the Fast Track services at Manchester Airport. You can find more information at the following website:
Manchester Airport FastTrack | Skip The Security Queues
Passport Control | Manchester Airport
GATWICK
There is a VIP Suite service at Gatwick (https://www.gatwickairport.com/elite-class.html) operated by Signature Flight Support. The Sussex Suite is for both private and scheduled aircrafts and can be booked directly. The below rates apply. This service includes bespoke immigration and security arrangements at the VIP Suite. The Mission can contact the Sussex Suite team to make an enquiry / booking:
Telephone: 01293 569000
Email: lgw@signatureflight.co.uk
See the booking form for further details and payment process: Sussex Suite Booking Form
| Number of Guests | Rates (exc. VAT) |
| 1-6 | £1,800 |
| 7-12 | £3,600 |
| 13-18 | £5,400 |
Alternatively, to facilitate the arrival/ departure, the delegation may wish to use the Fast Track services at Gatwick Airport. You can find more information at the following website pages:
Fast Track Security for £5 | London Gatwick Airport
Book Premium Passport Control | London Gatwick Airport
LONDON CITY
To facilitate the arrival/departure, the delegation may wish to consider arranging and paying for the Luxury Meet & Assist service, which will escort passengers from the car to the plane and assist with check in and escort through security / plane to the car and assist with immigration, baggage and customs. You can find more information at the following website:
https://www.londoncityairport.com/airport-concierge
EDINBURGH
To facilitate the arrival/ departure, the delegation may wish to use the Fast Track/ Meet & Assist services at Edinburgh Airport. You can find more information at the following website:
At the airport | Edinburgh Airport
FastTRACK Passport Control | Edinburgh Airport
fastTRACK security | Edinburgh Airport
Meet and assist | Edinburgh Airport
GLASGOW
On the airport website there is an online form that can be completed in order to request VIP assistance https://www.glasgowairport.com/at-the-airport/airport-services/vip-service/
Priority Passport Lane | Glasgow Airport
Fast Track Security and Priority Passport Lanes | Glasgow Airport
STANSTED
If the delegation are travelling privately through Stansted, VIP facilitation will be provided by the flight handler.
However to facilitate commercial arrivals, the delegation may wish to use the Fast Track services at Stansted Airport. You can find more information at the following website: https://www.stanstedairport.com/at-the-airport/security-fasttrack/
LUTON
To facilitate the departure, the delegation may wish to use the Fast Track Security services at Luton Airport. You can find more information at the following web pages:
Book Fast Track Security starting from £6 | London Luton Airport (london-luton.co.uk)
Alternatively, Signature Elite Class provide a VIP service for some commercial airlines and which can be booked directly. See the website for further details and which airlines are eligible:Signature ELITE Class – VIP Airline Transfers at London-Luton Airport
EUROSTAR
Eurostar is another quick and efficient way for your VIPs to arrive and depart the UK and their staff are experienced in handling high-level visitors, including Heads of State and Government, and Senior Ministers. Eurostar has a Business Lounge at St Pancras International which can be used for VIP arrivals and departures on Business and First class tickets.
If the VIP is receiving police protection, Eurostar will work with British Transport Police to facilitate movements in and out of the station.
Diplomatic Missions should complete the EUROSTAR Booking Form and liaise directly with Eurostar VIP.Services@eurostar.com to arrange VIP Assistance or security exemptions, and for further details about the VIP service Eurostar provides including associated costs.
To note
- Diplomatic Mission Staff can present their Diplomatic ID Card to access the platform, other Greeters will be required to obtain a VIP pass from the Duty VIP Manager, present their photo ID and be escorted onto the platform
- All passengers must present their passports to UK and French Border Control
- There is no porter service at St Pancras International