American Airlines offers helicopter rides and private lounges for super VIPs

American Airlines has just banished two of the most annoying aspects of flying out of Los Angeles International: traffic gridlock and the long security screening line. But it won't be cheap. In the latest effort by the airline industry to cater to well-heeled travellers, the world's largest air carrier has launched a super VIP package that includes a helicopter ride to LAX and security clearance at a cushy private lounge, with a Cadillac sedan ready to zip you to your plane. American is offering a similar deal in New York. All that pampering can add more than US$1700 to the price of an airline ticket. The package, known as Five Star Service, is part of an arms race among the nation's biggest carriers to win over business travellers and wealthy leisure jet-setters who generate the lion's share of airline revenues. <br/>