SkyVIP Services Is Making It Easier Than Ever To Travel With Your Kids

Parents know that the hardest part of traveling with children isn’t the jet lag or the lengthy family dinners past bedtime. Often, it’s not even the plane ride. In my experience, the toughest moments of traveling with kids happen at the airport – when the pent up excitement, coupled with missed naps and late or early flight times contribute to meltdowns, tantrums, and overzealous toddlers barreling through an endless security line.

Fortunately for parents everywhere, SkyVIP Services (formerly known as Universal Sky Services) is the airport savior we’re all seeking. Going on its eighth year in business, it’s the largest “meet and greet” provider in the world and offers a range of airport services designed to take the stress out of travel – with kids or without.

Founded by Anna Kunakkuzina and Elena Ermolenko, SkyVIP began in 2014 with one airport in Miami and has since grown to 195 destinations, with 45 new airports having just launched in 2022. On average, the company organizes 8,638 services a year throughout North and Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Indonesia.

“It all began with VIP tourism in Miami, but this is not really all what our service is about today,” says Ermolenko. “The clients were coming back to us, requesting services for their elderly parents or unaccompanied children, help with luggage, transfers, and all sorts of travel request – even including city touring. They pushed us to expand globally and add premium options. So we decided to break into two markets – Airport Assistance for families, and VVIP Airport Assistance for celebrities, executives, and diplomats.”

SkyVIP’s two types of services include the VIP Meet and Greet, which spans arrival, departure, and any connection, and offers door-to-door assistance, help with luggage, customs, security checks, unaccompanied minors, seniors, and mobility challenged passengers. Price starts from $325 for two people. This option is primarily for families.

For those seeking more handholding, SkyVIP also offers a Premium VIP Meet & Greet that begins at the tarmac. Passengers are whisked away in a luxury vehicle to the VIP lounge in a comfortable setting or fully private suite with pre-ordered food and refreshments. Behind the scenes, the team collects the luggage while the dedicated officer is completing all the immigration formalities. Prices begin at $2000 for two people.

SkyVIP’s most popular destinations include London, Los Angeles, Paris, Zurich, and Dubai, but its presence is growing rapidly. “The biggest feedback and request from 2022 is to add more airports to our service in exotic destinations,” says Ermolenko. “Now, we are working on expanding our geography to all of South America, Botswana, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Fiji and private Caribbean Islands.”

SkyVIP also works on the corporate level, with brands like Netflix, Youtube, American Express, Rolzo, St. Regis, The Ritz Carlton, Quintessentially and Virtuoso. It assists such events as fashion shows, beauty pageants, awards shows, concerts, and sporting events.

I had the unique privilege of trying SkyVIP on a recent trip to Israel. Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv is known for its seemingly endless lines and multiple security checkpoints. With my children in tow, I figured it’d be the perfect place to try the offerings. Following an 11-hour red-eye, we were welcomed by a kind handler who met us directly outside the arrival gate. From there, we followed him throughout the terminal, through customs, security checkpoints and past lines that snaked around itself. Within 10 minutes, we were at baggage claim, where he kindly secured our bags and loaded them into a luxury sedan headed to our hotel.

On our way home, we were even more grateful for SkyVIP. Getting out of Israel can be more time consuming than getting in. We strolled past the check-in lines, security checkpoints, and passport control to find ourselves eating kosher Big Macs near our gate – all within 20 minutes from arrival.

In 2023 SkyVIP to improving guest user experience by launching a new booking system, complete with a membership club and loyalty program.

“The most common feedback is why don’t we do a full travel service with flights, luxury hotels, and experience, and this is our new challenge for 2023,” says Kunakkuzina. After being with us for eight-plus years, we know some clients as family members. We planned their destination wedding and we saw their kids grow. Our clients know our team will get it right. It’s their trust in our service and our integrity.”