Perq Soleil

09/10/2026

Did you know?

The confirmation code at the top of your air travel booking goes by several different names in the airline world. It can be called a PNR (Passenger Name Record), Record Locator, Reservation Code, or Booking Reference. Regardless of what it's called, we need it when you book concierge service with us.

We'll refer to it as the PNR here to avoid confusion.

What it is
The PNR is a short code of 6 letters and numbers, that can hold everything tied to your trip in the airline's system:

Your name and contact info
- Flight numbers, dates, times, and route (including connections)
- Seat and meal preferences
- Assigned seat and boarding group
- Number of checked bags
- Frequent flyer number
- Airline status
- Special needs (wheelchair, service animal, etc.)

Why we need it when you book Perq Soleil
Sharing your PNR enables us to provide the personalized service we expect from ourselves. We can tell whether you're arriving or making a connection. We can see your status with the airline, which tells us what you're entitled to: lounge access, priority boarding, upgrade eligibility. And with that information, we can act on your behalf.

For example, if we know you prefer a window seat and see you're booked in an aisle, we can request a change before you board. If you require a wheelchair, we'll arrange to have one waiting for you. If you've checked numerous pieces of luggage, we will arrange for a porter to meet you at baggage claim with a cart.

So the next time you see that 6-character confirmation code on your booking, know that it's used for far more than just pulling up your reservation. For us, it's part of the making of a great airport experience.

Enjoy a friction-free journey with Perq Soleil's premium airport concierge services. VIP meet & greet for executives, celebrities, families, and seniors.

06/18/2026

Ever heard of an "illegal connection"?

(Don't worry—you won't be arrested.)

"Illegal connection" is airline-industry jargon for a connection that falls below the airline's Minimum Connection Time (MCT). The MCT varies by airport, airline, and itinerary, but is usually 30-60 minutes.

Why does it matter?

Because making a connection isn't just about whether you can get yourself to the next gate before boarding ends. Your checked luggage, baggage handlers, security procedures, and airport logistics all need enough time to make the connection too.

Although airlines generally won't let you book itineraries that violate the applicable MCT, there are ways of creating one yourself—for example, by booking separate tickets.

And if you somehow end up with an illegal connection, don't be surprised if you make the flight but your checked baggage doesn't.

Sometimes saving 20 minutes on paper can create a lot of stress in real life.

06/05/2026

Most airport Meet & Greet services emphasize speed because that’s what they assume passengers want. But every traveler has unique needs. And for some, it’s not about being fast. Sometimes it’s about being slow.
Some travelers, such as the infirm or the elderly, simply don’t want to be hurried or harried. They want to take their time. They want to move through the airport without feeling rushed, pressured, or stressed.

When you book VIP airport meet & assist with Perq Soleil, our goal is always to create the smoothest and most positive airport journey possible, but you get to set the pace.

If you’re in a hurry and want to move as swiftly as possible through security and to your gate, then that’s what we’ll deliver. If for any reason you want to take it slow—or need us to create a bubble of calm and tranquility around you as you move through the airport—that’s what we’ll deliver.

Our role is to adapt to the traveler, not the other way around.

05/27/2026

We’ve all been there: you send your belongings into the X-ray machine only to find yourself stuck in a slow-moving queue waiting to clear the body scanner. By the time you make it through, your trays have been sitting unattended for several minutes.

The expectation, of course, is that everyone follows the social contract and only takes what belongs to them. But mistakes can happen when bags, phones, or laptops look nearly identical. And, on rare occasions, there is also the possibility of outright theft.

One simple practice we use whenever escorting guests through security is to place an empty tray on top of the tray containing valuables before sending it through the X-ray machine. We use the same approach with larger bins holding bags or personal items.

Our strategy serves several ends: it keeps belongings contained, adds a degree of privacy, discourages wandering hands, and helps ensure everything that goes into the machine comes out the other side exactly as expected.

The step may seem unnecessary for most people, but for us it's essential. Efforts to eliminate even the slightest of risks are vital for ensuring friction-free airport journeys for our guests.

05/16/2026

One of the stressors air travelers experience on arrival has to do with ground transportation. If the taxi line is long, the rideshare pickup point is unclear, the pre-booked car isn’t there, or the meeting location is confusing, that’s usually where frustration and anxiety build.

We get ahead of that.

We coordinate with your driver while your plane is still in the air. We confirm timing, location, vehicle type, number of passengers, number of bags, and exactly how the pickup will happen. We also make sure the driver is aware of any specific requests (e.g., brand of water, car temperature, mints/gum, etc.). Then we stay in touch so we can signal when to pull up to the curb so you’re not waiting unnecessarily.

The result of that planning is that the handoff to the driver can be a continuation of an already positive travel experience – or perhaps a silver lining on a negative one. Either way, having a concierge who gets you to your car effortlessly is a huge relief from hassle and worry.

04/30/2026

THE CASE FOR THE PRINTED BOARDING CARD

Nearly everyone uses a mobile boarding pass these days. But could relying on your phone at the airport create a bit of a false sense of security? It’s great when everything works. But what happens when it doesn’t?

One of our SOPs at Perq Soleil is to print paper boarding passes for our guests, even though most already have them on their phones.

Are we old-school? Only when it means better service. It’s our goal and responsibility to do everything we can to anticipate and avoid airport friction for our guests. And a paper boarding pass ends up being useful more often than people expect.

Imagine this: a guest arrives at the airport in the middle of an important phone call. Because we’ve printed her boarding card, she doesn’t have to interrupt her conversation to pull up her mobile pass and can move smoothly through check-in and security.

It’s also not uncommon for us to greet guests who haven’t yet checked in and therefore don’t yet have a mobile pass --actually, not all guests even have phones. In that case, our practice of pre-printing their boarding card saves significant time, hassle, and frustration. The guest proceeds without delay.

Even when everything is set up correctly, phones can introduce opportunities for delay and stress: screens time out, batteries die, apps need updating, and cell service can be weak.

Beyond being a contingency plan, printed boarding passes also have more data on them than mobile passes do, which can be helpful for flight changes or refunds, should that become necessary.

12/30/2025

As we close out our 2025 series on the nation’s best airports, we’re ending with the top spot on The Washington Post list: Portland International Airport.

The new main terminal is just over a year old, and it’s built around one idea: LOCAL. Everything about PDX is designed to connect travelers with the ecology, people, businesses, flavors, and wild-and-free Oregon vibe.

The new terminal's architecture feels very PNW, with a massive roof made from Oregon-sourced wood, live trees, and natural light throughout. The renovation itself (the largest public works project in state history) was a major investment in the local economy, employing thousands of locals, from architects and Tribal partners to artists, mosaic makers, and makers of every kind.

Inside, the same theme continues. PDX is known for featuring dozens of Oregon brands and local favorites: Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Powell's Books, Inc., and Made In Oregon, to name a few. Prices stay consistent with what you’d pay in town, which feels like a rare airport win.

Add murals, installations, live music, and a terminal that feels like a public space rather than a shopping mall, and you can see why travelers rave about it.

Even getting into the city is local-first. The MAX light rail runs straight from the airport into downtown Portland, making the transition from terminal to city simple.

And in 2026, PDX gets even more Portland, with another expansion bringing more gates, lounges, and 14 additional local shops and restaurants.

12/19/2025

This week we’re featuring Indianapolis International Airport--a consistent top-performer (based on the awards it wins) and an airport that seems to really shine during the holidays.

Every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, IND hosts the Holly Jolly Jetway, featuring elves on stilts, the Sugar Plum Fairy, vintage typewriters for letters to Santa, and a grand fire-truck entrance for the big guy himself. Then from December 11–24, the airport keeps the spirit alive with daily music performances by local artists from 10am-6pm throughout the terminal.

It’s the kind of tradition that makes you want to plan a special trip to the heart of Hoosier country.

But IND isn’t just a holiday standout. It was named #1 in Customer Satisfaction among Medium Airports by J.D. Power in 2025 for the sixth time in seven years, and was also #8 on the Washington Post's list of the 50 best airports in the country.

Holiday magic may steal the spotlight, but IND’s real strength is consistency: clean, calm, easy to navigate, and genuinely welcoming no matter the season.

12/05/2025

Richmond International Airport (RIC) was recognized by The Washington Post earlier this year as one of the top 50 airports in the U.S. Today we're featuring RIC as the subject of some fun airport trivia. How much of this is news to you?

1. RIC is one of the oldest continuously operating commercial airports in the U.S. -- It was officially dedicated on October 15, 1927 under the name Richard E. Byrd Flying Field.

2. RIC served as an early airmail hub. -- In the late 1920s and 30s, pioneers of U.S. air mail regularly flew in and out of Richmond, putting the airport at the center of early commercial aviation.

3. Charles Lindbergh helped dedicate the airport. -- Just months after his transatlantic flight, Lindbergh visited Richmond during his national tour, cementing the airport’s place on the early aviation map.

4. RIC has a rare “open-V” runway layout. -- This early-aviation design lets pilots choose the runway that best matches shifting winds and keeps the airport operating safely and efficiently.

5. It once advertised itself as having “The Mile of Runway.” --
Back in the 1950s, a mile-long runway was a big deal for a regional airport. Richmond used it as a selling point to show it was ready for the jet age long before many others were.

6. RIC’s economy parking shuttle is famously convenient. -- The shuttle picks you up right at your car when you arrive and brings you straight back to it when you return, sparing you the long walks to a shelter. Drivers even help with luggage.

7. RIC has its own “Greetings From Richmond” mural by local artists Paris Allen and Christian Kyle Harrell (aka “Humble”) Humble -- The postcard-style artwork near Gate A11 features Richmond landmarks inside each letter.

8. The new LEGO facility in Virginia is making its mark at RIC. LEGO Minifigure "Emmett" greets travelers inside while a 24-foot-tall LEGO dogwood and hummingbird sculpture will be installed on the grounds in 2026.

9. Staff get glowing reviews. -- TSA is described as “patient and helpful,” baggage claim is “radiant with enthusiasm,” and shuttle drivers offer unmatched service.”

10. RIC is the “just-right” airport for millions of travelers each year. -- Despite its calm vibe, Richmond handles nearly five million passengers annually. Travelers often say it “never feels crowded,” even when the numbers say otherwise.

What would you add to this list of RIC fun facts?

12/02/2025

Santa Barbara Airport, located in one of California's most famous and picturesque beach towns, was recently named runner-up for the Best Small Airport in the U.S. by the USA TODAY Readers' Choice Awards.

Travelers praise SBA for its convenience, ease of navigation, friendly staff, and laid back atmosphere. For locals, parking is just steps from the terminal, and for visitors the rental car lot is a short walk away.

SBA's terminal features Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, including red tile roofs, white stucco walls, and stenciled wood beams, as well as loads of natural light, open spaces, and lush landscaping. The terminal, which was redesigned in 2011, was one of the first in the country to obtain LEED Gold certification from the Green Building Council.

While awaiting your flight, SBA offers local concessions from Costa Terraza Tapas Restaurant, Santa Barbara News & Gifts, and Santa Barbara Roasting Company. For those who desire first-class treatment and fast-track through security, VIP airport concierge service is provided by Perq Soleil.

If you're looking for an alternative to flying into or out of Los Angeles, SBA offers 26 daily nonstop flights to 14 major destinations across the U.S. on major carriers like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines and United. SBA prides itself on being one stop away from nearly anywhere in the world.