Airport meet and greet: how an arrival works, from the aircraft to the car

An airport meet and greet is prepared before the flight and unfolds in four stages: the welcome at the aircraft or in a lounge, the formalities, the luggage, then the car. What changes from one arrival to the next depends less on the airport than on where the flight comes from: that decides which checks you go through, and so the time between landing and the car.

This article follows an arrival as it happens. The airports and terminals where we arrange it are listed on our VIP airport meet and greet page.

Before the flight: what to send

The flight number and date, the number of travellers, the number of bags, and the address you are going to. For a private flight, the operator’s name and the departure airport are enough: the expected landing time and the terminal are obtained from the operator.

Two further details avoid a wait on arrival: the nationality of the passports, which decides the route through the checks, and whether there are children, outsized luggage or equipment to carry, which decides the car.

On landing: at the aircraft door or at the operator’s terminal

On a scheduled flight, you are met as you leave the aircraft or in a lounge, depending on what the airport offers at your terminal. Within the restricted area, the escort is provided by the airport’s own welcome service or by an authorised provider.

On a private flight, you arrive at the business aviation operator’s terminal, known in the trade as an FBO. Formalities take place on site, a few steps from the aircraft, and the car can come to the aircraft where the operator allows it. This is the case at Paris Le Bourget and at the business aviation terminal in Nice.

Border checks: it all depends on where the flight comes from

The Schengen area comprises 29 countries: 25 EU Member States, plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Between them there are in principle no border checks, although a country may temporarily reintroduce them. Three cases follow.

• A flight from a Schengen country in the EU (Madrid, Milan, Munich): no passport control and no customs, in principle. You go straight to the luggage.
• A flight from Switzerland (Geneva, Zurich): Switzerland is in Schengen but outside the EU. No passport control in principle, but customs rules apply to purchases you bring back.
• A flight from outside Schengen (London, New York, Dubai): passport control, then customs.

Since 12 October 2025, travellers who are not EU or EFTA citizens go through the Entry/Exit System, the EES, which replaces the passport stamp. On the first entry, a facial image and, in some cases, fingerprints are recorded; later entries are shorter. Holders of a residence permit issued by a Schengen country are not covered. The first arrival takes the longest, and it is the one an escort through the formalities shortens most.

Customs: two thresholds to know

When arriving from outside the EU, goods you bring back are exempt up to €430 per traveller aged 15 or over arriving by air; above that, they are declared. A watch bought in Geneva or Dubai is therefore declared on arrival.

Cash of €10,000 or more is also declared, on entering or leaving France, including from or to another EU country. The rule covers banknotes, but also traveller’s cheques, gold and prepaid cards. The declaration can be made online before the flight, through French Customs’ DALIA service.

The luggage, then the car

While you go through the formalities, your luggage is collected and taken to the car. The driver has the address and the day’s programme; if the programme changes on the way, the driver changes with it. A flight delay or a change of terminal moves the welcome and the car, without you having to let anyone know.

When you travel with others, family or guests, everyone is met together, and the number of cars is decided by the number of people and bags. For the rest of the stay, our private driver service keeps the same car, and our concierge in Paris page describes the stay that follows the arrival.

On departure: the same journey in reverse

The car collects you at a time worked out from your flight and the traffic of the moment. Your luggage is checked in with you, and you are escorted through security, then as far as boarding where the airport offers it.

For a departure to the United Kingdom, bring your passport: since 1 October 2021, most EU and Swiss identity cards are no longer accepted there. If you arrive on a scheduled flight and leave on a private one, or the other way round, both journeys are prepared together.

Conclusion

A meet and greet is arranged from four pieces of information: the flight, the travellers, the luggage and the address. The origin of the flight does the rest, and it is known before departure.

Send us your flight and your arrival address on our VIP airport meet and greet page: the welcome and the car are arranged from there.