I know that airlines have special procedures for celebrities such as private check-in, escorts to the lounge and on-board, etc. I was wondering just how much airlines/airports/TSA do--Can they escort people past TSA? Are private sedans ever allowed to meet celebrities at their gate or is this just for visiting foreign dignitaries? If not, do most celebrities schlep through the airport like the rest of us? Such as taking the people mover at ATL or IAD?

Not only for celebrities, everyone can buy that package from Fraport. The question is, why?

Quoting washingtonian (Thread starter): do most celebrities schlep through the airport like the rest of us?

The only example I know for certain is Princess Stephanie of Monaco. She and her children always travel on paid Air France flights with everybody else to the exception that she gets lounge invitations to avoid the wait in the airport halls. Aside from that Princess Stepanie always flies with Air France in Economy with no special treatment. She may have a secretary travelling with her at times. It is pretty much the same for Princess Caroline for as much as I know. She never uses any of the Principality's business jets which are reserved for the Prince and his wife.

It all depends who you consider to be a "celebrity". There are the showbiz or sports celebs and also the politicians and royals.

American Airlines offers every passenger to purchase celebrity services called "Five Star." This includes a curbside greeting, individual check-in, escort through security, escort to the Admiral's Club, and escort to the aircraft for early boarding. The cost is $125 per adult at some US airports (Los Angeles, New York/JFK), $200 at some US airports (Boston, and some others), and $275 at select international airports (Narita, Buenos Aires/Ezeiza, among others).

I have no idea why the cost is different among different US airports.

I do not know of any other US carrier that offers this service.

In my case, it's hard to see value in this service: I already have a United Club membership, already get expedited security as a higher-tier frequent flyer, so the only service this would offer would be someone to accompany me.

Considering there are abou 1.2bn celebrities these days thanks to reality TV, the last thing airlines should do is boost their egos beyond anything they didnt pay for.

Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 2): There are the showbiz or sports celebs and also the politicians and royals.

Very true. I once flew PHL-MCI on US several years ago, and I walked onboard to see the (at the time) current Governor of Kansas (now US Sec. of H&HS) Kathleen Sebelius sitting in the first row of the regional jet (so, economy). I still remember she made it a point to say hi to everyone that passed by her. It was pretty neat for me because I live in Kansas, and it was the one (and only) time I got to meet a sitting governor of my state.

Wouldn't be surprised if she got lounge access, but aside from priority boarding, I saw no special perks given to her (I was a few rows behind her so I got to see most of the interactions between her and the crew).

Quoting washingtonian (Thread starter): I know that airlines have special procedures for celebrities such as private check-in, escorts to the lounge and on-board, etc

The key question is the definition of a celebrity.

A major congressman or senator from a state in which the airline has a big presence would usually get top treatment.

Hollywood stars - not that much.

Marg Helgenberg was flying a Skywest CRJ-200 into DFW that landed with the nose gear up several years ago. No one on the plane realized who she was.

Many years ago I flew on an AA flight with Jenny McCarthy - she got nothing special, except her 'bodyguard' was by her side every minute and no one approached her - he was about the size of Michael Clarke Duncan - without the smile.

The way movie, TV and such 'celebrities' do things when they get to the star level is that every trip is business. Whomever is paying for their services - say a movie production company, TV show wanting interviews, appearance host - pays for their travel. They demand and often get first class travel, access to Admiral's Clubs, etc. The personal escort service when available, and so on. At least one bodyguard or assistant flies in 1st with the celeb and the rest of the assistants they can get on the contract fly in coach.

When you see a movie star on Good Morning America, Letterman, The Tonight Show or Ellen - the show paid their travel, lodging, meals, a per diem for other expenses and an appearance fee. Or in some cases a movie distribution company will pay many of those costs to get the 'star' on the show.

If they are a top star - they can get the sponsor of the trip to charter a jet - and avoid the whole airline / airport experience. Julia Roberts, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell - etc.

Snookie gets two first class tickets - her and a bodyguard. The Situation gets one first class ticket and one coach ticket. Neither gets personal escorts through security.

Those it is interesting that TSA workers are much more likely to recognize them and ensure the TSA process does not result in bad publicity than the senator from the state.

[Edited 2012-04-30 08:31:06]

Quoting rfields5421 (Reply 6): A major congressman or senator from a state in which the airline has a big presence would usually get top treatment.

I'm not sure I agree with this. At least here in DCA, it's pretty common to see politicians standing in the TSA line at DCA. Go on a Thursday evening and you are almost guaranteed to see some familiar faces.

Quoting rfields5421 (Reply 6): Hollywood stars - not that much.

So to be clear: Hollywood celebs don't get bypassed at TSA or special chauffeuring airside? I would have expected otherwise but I guess not.

Best that ever seems to be offered in DUB to a non-political/royalty "celeb" is lounge access / use of the business priority line for security. Which just dumps you in at a scanner row that anyone else is allowed walk over to (in T1 at least).

Quoting washingtonian (Reply 7): I'm not sure I agree with this. At least here in DCA, it's pretty common to see politicians standing in the TSA line at DCA. Go on a Thursday evening and you are almost guaranteed to see some familiar faces.

I second that. I have been traveling back and forth to DCA twice weekly for the past month, and have seen a number of politicians standing in the TSA line like the rest of us. Ironically enough, I was behind a rather well known one on Thursday evening. He had to go through the regular line while I got to go through pre-Check!

Quoting catiii (Reply 9): I second that. I have been traveling back and forth to DCA twice weekly for the past month, and have seen a number of politicians standing in the TSA line like the rest of us. Ironically enough, I was behind a rather well known one on Thursday evening. He had to go through the regular line while I got to go through pre-Check!

I do also. Political figures are public servants. Even if it was an airline's courtesy and not "paid by tax dollars" they should not get any preferential treatment. I see accepting upgrades and any other amenities as a sign of corruption (politicians who hold public office only of course)

Quoting catiii (Reply 9): I have been traveling back and forth to DCA twice weekly for the past month

Wow. You need an efficiency coach. Twice WEEKLY trips for a month seems a terrible waste of time and money.

You have to define what a celebrity is.

With AC it is determined if you are an official government representative, if you are a frequent flier and what tier of status you have, and what level of celebrity the person really is, and what level the person demands.

When you reach the "level" a concierge handles your tickets arrangements and escorts you through the various parts of check in, security screening, lounge and then to the gate. I remember the concierge in NYC helping me get on a flight at the gate at LGA, she mentioned she just got off the phone try to get Paul Shafer tickets to Timmins or Sarnia as his father had passed away. Everyone was trying to get out before an impending snow storm that likely was going to close airports. They get to know some of their "charges" quite well and she was a bit upset at the bad news.

If someone is flying commercial they aren't exempt from security. I also traveled with Stephen Lewis and his wife and daughter from LGA to YYZ. He was Canada's Special Ambassador for Aides to the UN and was of course selected for secondary screening at the gate. He of course handled it gracefully and when someone else spoke up, he said it was ok and rules were rules.

When it is busy the concierge may just say hello to the person either at the lounge, at checkin or the gate. And some celebrities just prefer to go unnoticed and travel like a "normal" person. Also they may not be flying on their normal airline and therefore not trigger any special treatement. Sometimes lesser celebrities create more fuss than the bigger ones. And we all can name celebrities who demand everything and have hissy fits at security etc.

Speaking for my company Corporate Security escorts them through TSA and then puts them in a VIP waiting room. When the flight is about to leave their then escorted to the aircraft. Simple as that.

Quoting pnwtraveler (Reply 12): And some celebrities just prefer to go unnoticed and travel like a "normal" person.

   From a ground transportation standpoint, that's been my experience...actually, I would argue that, the "higher" a celebrity is, the more low-profile they generally want to be, when possible...

Quoting AA757200 (Reply 11): Wow. You need an efficiency coach. Twice WEEKLY trips for a month seems a terrible waste of time and money.

It's the only way we can get my kid to the specialist he needs to see and for me to still make my meetings at my job, but thanks for your input. I'll keep that in mind.

[Edited 2012-04-30 15:07:25]

Quoting rfields5421 (Reply 6): Marg Helgenberg was flying a Skywest CRJ-200 into DFW that landed with the nose gear up several years ago. No one on the plane realized who she was.

Not too surprised, never heard of her!

Quoting washingtonian (Reply 7): So to be clear: Hollywood celebs don't get bypassed at TSA or special chauffeuring airside? I would have expected otherwise but I guess not.

There's a certain logic, now that I think about it, to trying to move these folks as quickly as possible through security and into some kind of holding room if they're a big star. Leave a legitimately famous person waiting in line, and it's more likely to slow the process down with all the gawking that everyone else would do.

Isn't it sort of logical that not all celebrities are going to be treated the same, and besides how do you label a celebrity? Just because they're well known to X doesn't mean they're well known to Y.

Some airports are going to handle oodles more celebrity traffic than others and are going to be more geared up to it. I've seen many famous types on my travels and can't say I've noticed anything too out of the ordinary, even at places like LAX with A listers and celebrity hotspots like the Concorde Room @ LHR it's rarely been anything more than an airline representative escorting someone to the lounge and checking in with them from time to time.

Have had a few cars meet us at the aircraft and the most annoying one was a few years back flying BA DXB-LHR with Sir Cliff Richard (only well known to Brits I suspect). Aircraft arrived on remote stand and he had a car to escort him and his little group away from the aircraft whilst we had to wait 15mins for a bus...He was in Club World, wife and I in First. *sigh*

Sat behind Beckham/Posh and kids on Delta flight from PIT to CDG in E... I think I was the only one that noticed. I had a very nice talk with David about state of MLS in US. All in all... very normal. And yes I asked why. David said that it was the only connection that was not sold out. Again normal.

I have flown on flights with "major" celebs where no one seemed to know they were on board (or at least I didn't) until after they deplaned after landing. They boarded after all the other passengers were seated and took seats in the first row or two in first class, so most people didn't even see them, and even most first class passengers wouldn't see them at all during the flight. Then they were the first off the plane after landing, I'm assuming.

On the other hand, I own a small company and we deal with "minor" celebs all the time (mostly magazine fashion models, designers, etc. who may be well known to certain people, but aren't household names) and they fly economy and just stand in line like everybody else. When we first started up and we had the idea that we'd invite some well known people to have events with us, we assumed we were going to at least need to pay for business class for them, but no... just economy, and all they want is a plane ticket, no special package with it.

So the degree of celebrity definitely makes a difference, as I'd imagine the personality of the celebrity probably does too.

Quoting washingtonian (Reply 7): I'm not sure I agree with this. At least here in DCA, it's pretty common to see politicians standing in the TSA line at DCA. Go on a Thursday evening and you are almost guaranteed to see some familiar faces.

The same here. I fly in and out of Canberra a lot, and other than official government travel where they're entitled to the RAAF VIP fleet, the politicians line up with the rest of us.

Back in September 2010 I was on a flight with Kevin Rudd - who had been Prime Minister of Australia until 2 months previously. He was the last to board and had come from the Chairman's Lounge (QF's 'top secret' invitation only lounge) but was there with the rest of us which meant he got a lot of necks craning! He was in J, but (for some reason) QF don't have a barrier/curtain between J and Y on the 734 fleet so he was quite visible to everyone as he got on.

I do know that there are people who are escorted straight to the jetway (actually the stairway from the ramp to the jetway). This is not an uncommon thing. I was working Gate 6 at DAL tonight changing a mix valve and a, police escorted, black Lincoln pulled up. I have no idea who was in it. I got my job done and drove away on my little golf cart and thought nothing about it until I read this post. It happens very frequently. I think it's some politician or schmuck that is taking advantage of their position. JMO.

I've seen plenty of celebs over the course of time, with their treatment varying from ordinary passenger to big-time security.

I've had two totally different cases with the Dutch Royal family.

The latter treatment I've seen on KL Business Class two years ago, we had members of the Dutch Royal family (Pieter van Vollenhoven) on board, they were escorted right to their cars waiting downstairs on the tarmac.

On the other hand, I've waited for customs behind Prince Friso and Mabel, that was 4 years ago. They didn't get any exceptional treatment.

I guess it really depends on what a person wants and what the security threat it and that there's no real standard procedure.

Quoting pnwtraveler (Reply 12): With AC it is determined if you are an official government representative...

Strike guaranteed   

I have booked several times with CO's celebrity desk, and AA's desk. My clients were the Fugees, Lauryn Hill got treated real well, she was able to get special escorted service at LAX & EWR, she was a difficult person to deal with, and on the other hand Wyclef Jean was the nicest person I ever booked for, he was kind, understanding and a wonderful guy to just chat with. I remember a Grammy awards day/night about 7-8 years ago, they had a performance at the awards in LA, but Wyclef had to be in Haiti (Where is is from, and considered a beloved citizen) the very next day, for the Haitian elections, as he wanted to vote. To make things worse, Haiti closed their airspace the day of the elections, I had Wyclef on the late AA flight MIA-LAX 11 something pm, finally cleared F hours before the flight, and on an AF flight that still showed operating MIA-PAP the next day, late morning, despite my many calls to AF asking are they sure they are flying that day, and being assured they were given special permission to land at PAP that day, AF cancelled their flight, I booked Wyclef to SDQ, and the Haitian military flew a helicopter to SDQ to pick him up, so he could vote. This was one of the best stories I have of booking celebs.

Victoria Beckham pretended to be a flight attendant..... wow she might be very lucky!!

CX crew won't allow pax to play around except her...

CX isn't happy with her and her behaviour on the plane.

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-...inflight-prank-20120424-1xisk.html

I've frequently seen my local MP in 1A on the QantasLink Dash 8 between PQQ and SYD - he just lines up with everyone else, boards in the general queue.

At LHR there is some sort of VIP terminal, anyone can use it for a fee, I have seen their site but forgot the name of the company. Basically it has private security and then on to private rooms to wait for your flight, after that a car drives you to your plane. I am sure it is expensive. Other than that there are a lot of times they are using the terminal like you and I. Friends of mine where even waiting behind Sean Penn in line at Southwest of all places at LAX a few years back. On flyertalk just about every airlines message board has a thread about celebrity sitings, interesting reads, some are extremely nice, others not so much.

Quoting rfields5421 (Reply 6): A major congressman or senator from a state in which the airline has a big presence would usually get top treatment.

Quoting washingtonian (Reply 7): At least here in DCA, it's pretty common to see politicians standing in the TSA line at DCA.

DCA isn't the state where an airline has a big presence. I'm talking more of DFW, IAD, ATL, MCO, MIA, SFO, DEN, ORD, etc - such airports where local politicians who 'help' airlines get concierge treatment from the airline. They still go through TSA, but escorted quickly.

They don't do it at DCA, though they used to back in the 80s, because they want to avoid reporters trying to find 'special treatment' for tabloid headline type stories.

It is not for every politician, just the airline friends.

Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 21): The same here. I fly in and out of Canberra a lot, and other than official government travel where they're entitled to the RAAF VIP fleet, the politicians line up with the rest of us.

I thought Australian (and most other) politicians fly commercial when travelling abroad on official government travel? Wasn't there a story a few months ago about the Australian Foreign Minister having an issue with TSA here in the US?

I think it depends on the "celebrity risk" level, by that I mean, will the person's presence likely cause some commotion?
I can site four cases, all on AF's CDG-LAX (or v.v.) flights. It seems there are always celebs on these flights.
- Mick Jagger and Brad Pitt, on separate flights, but both sitting in the FC cabin. Upon arrival, they were immediately escorted by AF personnel through separate express passport lanes and personnel retrieved their luggage for them while they waited in a private room a way from the public.
-Matt LeBlanc also flying FC but no special treatment on arrival at LAX... Waited in passport lines like the rest of the passengers (I remember he had a motorcycle helmet with him, thought that was strange).
-Bernard Montiel, a third rate French TV personality, in Business Class, no special privileges.

Quoting rfields5421 (Reply 28): I'm talking more of DFW, IAD, ATL, MCO, MIA, SFO, DEN, ORD, etc - such airports where local politicians who 'help' airlines get concierge treatment from the airline. They still go through TSA, but escorted quickly.

Hate to burst your bubble, but they really don't. In fact, at least on the federal level, ethics laws preclude such a thing.

Quoting washingtonian (Reply 29): I thought Australian (and most other) politicians fly commercial when travelling abroad on official government travel? Wasn't there a story a few months ago about the Australian Foreign Minister having an issue with TSA here in the US?

I did a Google search re the TSA and couldn't find anything, but you may be right. I'm not entirely sure what qualifies for VIP aircraft, but Ministers do patronise commercial flights.

I'm pretty certain that the Prime Minister always gets a VIP jet, and for Ministers of State it seems to vary depending on destination, purpose of trip etc.

During a tour of Concorde G-BOAC at Manchester a few years back, obviously the subject of celebrity passengers came up. It was something of the norm for Concorde, and ranged from the Royal Family having seats removed and turned around with a table in the middle (in the 70's I believe) to Michael Jackson who was so afraid of human contact sat with a blanket over his head for the whole flight! This was the story, anyway... you shouldn't always believe what you read or hear about the late King Of Pop.

In Australia, a few of the sports stars just got the Business/First Class treatment from what I saw. The Australian rugby side I would imagine have it pretty good whenever they travel considering they are sponsored by Qantas!

Reading all this makes me think sometimes it depends on the airport and how celebrities are treated in town normally. Here in Nashville, we have a lot of recognizable people who live here but we don't have a paparazzi culture. It's not unusual to see Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban in a coffee shop (that happened to a friend of mine), the entire Miley Cyrus family out for ice cream (happened to another friend) and singing legend George Jones buying a car at a local dealership (happened to me). Jack White and Big Kenny from Big & Rich both have kids in my daughter's kindergarten. Restaurants, grocery stores, Home Depot, you name it....it's easily possible just to bump into someone you know here. But the culture here is to leave those folks alone. It's one of the reasons why Nashville is appealing. So while I'm sure that BNA has some policy on celeb flyers, I'd suspect that many don't even bother with it.

As for flying, the A-listers and legends with lots of disposable income sometimes have their own planes or at least the use of one (Taylor Swift for example). They either fly out of BNA or many fly out of tiny little John C. Tune airport in west Nashville. But you might be surprised how many still travel with their bands on a tour bus (Sheryl Crow comes to mind in a recent interview). But I've flown with a number of celebs and politicians over the years. The earlier comment about politicians flying commercial and standing in line with everyone else is pretty dead on. No one in congress wants to be seen as "above the people" regardless of how much money they really have. When Sen. Bill Frist was still in office and senate majority leader, it's wasn't unusual to see him at the Southwest ticket counter doing the BNA-BWI flight, despite the fact that his family is one of the wealthiest in Nashville.

As for celebs flying, I can think of two interesting personal stories. AA used to have a hub in BNA and although it didn't last, the BNA-LAX flight is still a holdover from those days to serve the entertainment industry. About 15 years ago I was on that flight and just when boarding was announced Dolly Parton and her party (3 others) exited the nearby Admirals Club and boarded with the first class folks. Now even for Nashville, Dolly is not someone who just "blends in". She gets attention. But what no one expected was for her to stand at the front of the plane with the F/As greeting every last passenger boarding the aircraft. She probably sold a bunch of albums just by doing that. She's a smart lady. But she's also a "costume celebrity" meaning that without the wigs, outfits and makeup, she can easily do normal errands around town and I doubt you'd ever recognize her.

Another costume celebrity is Little Richard, whom I've seen three times in recent years on the BNA-ATL early morning Delta flight. Again, he couldn't be more gracious to people who talk to him since when he's out and about, he's in the full makeup, hair and outlandish outfits. But the coolest trip I took with him was one morning where he spent the 40 minutes flight talking to his seatmate (just another passenger he didn't know) about what it was like to be in the rock & roll scene in the early 60's hanging out with the Elvis, Mick Jagger and the Beatles. All of us in first class who normally sleep on this flight were just rapt with attention. That's a guy you like telling you stories.

[Edited 2012-05-01 07:46:30]

Quoting ordjoe (Reply 27):

http://www.heathrowbyinvitation.com/

A really nice site if you have £1500.00, hey who doesn't. 

Quoting spacecadet (Reply 20): I have flown on flights with "major" celebs where no one seemed to know they were on board (or at least I didn't) until after they deplaned after landing.

I was fortunate enough to be sat at the back of First class once.

About an hour into the flight one of the biggest stars on the planet (no exageration and real Hollywood vintage/royalty) got up out of 1A walked past and smiled at me.

I was really only a kid at the time so I just about wet myself.

The funny thing was the previous night I had watched a film with him in it.

You can imagine how weird that is !!

Quoting AA757200 (Reply 11): Wow. You need an efficiency coach. Twice WEEKLY trips for a month seems a terrible waste of time and money.

Awfully presumptuous to assume that someone needs and "efficiency coach," just because you don't approve of their flying schedule. How could you possibly know what someone's travel needs are? There could be a myriad of personal or professional reason for making a twice weekly trip anywhere. What a foolish, ignorant thing to say. Mind your own business. I'm sure we'll all make sure to share our opinions on your travel plans next time.

Quoting catiii (Reply 15): It's the only way we can get my kid to the specialist he needs to see and for me to still make my meetings at my job, but thanks for your input. I'll keep that in mind.

Good luck and best wishes.

If there is some kind of special way to sneak VIP's and "VVVIP's" i havent seen it as would be the intent. That said over the years i have flown I have seen so, so many celebs when I have been in F. I sat next to Michael Phelps twice! One on the ORD to HKG then to SIN, then on UNITED p.s a month later. He was extremely nice and we even joked about being on the same flight again. From Brazil to NYC i was in F on Varig which had only one row of F on an MD-11, their were just 2 people in F; me and Gesele! She got no better treatment than I did and walked off the plane just like everyone else.

The odd one was I was in Y to a place I cannot recall but President Gerald Ford was in F with 2 "G-men". I thought a President would get a gov aircraft? It was a short flight I recall on an MD-80 or something close. It happened 15 years ago.

Not to hijack the thread but twice a week to DCA is not that much flying co pared to what some people do.

We get celebrities here thru BZE every week and for the most part if the come in commercial they go thru all the checks just like everyone else...inbound and outbound ....everyone from Tom Brokaw to Gene Simmons, Michael Keaton and Halley Berry. Truly most people don't notice and don't care....especiallly the locals. If the want special treatment then they need to come on their private jet. Then they get to use the VIP lounge that is the property of the mIn of foreign affairs. That is what Bill Gates does.

Quoting RyanairGuru (Reply 32): I did a Google search re the TSA and couldn't find anything, but you may be right. I'm not entirely sure what qualifies for VIP aircraft, but Ministers do patronise commercial flights.

Here you go:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0...-rudds-vegemite-near_n_968424.html

Quoting ordjoe (Reply 39):

That's what I'm saying!!! LOL The nerve...

Hell, I was doing up to 3 weekly round trips to MSP from Atlanta last year!! I guess I need a coach too..

Quoting readytotaxi (Reply 35): Quoting ordjoe (Reply 27): http://www.heathrowbyinvitation.com/ A really nice site if you have £1500.00, hey who doesn't.

I trust immigration checks are a bit faster than in the rest of Heathrow! Though I guess if a sports team arrives before you, you might have to wait as well...

Quoting Mats (Reply 3):

Are you aware fo any other airline doing this? Especially does DL accomadate pax at the airport for an extra fee?

[Edited 2012-05-02 06:39:15]

Quoting FlyASAGuy2005 (Reply 42): Quoting ordjoe (Reply 39): That's what I'm saying!!! LOL The nerve... Hell, I was doing up to 3 weekly round trips to MSP from Atlanta last year!! I guess I need a coach too..

Quoting ordjoe (Reply 39): Not to hijack the thread but twice a week to DCA is not that much flying co pared to what some people do.

I wasn't saying it was. What I was saying was that, satnding in line in DCA at least twice a week and seeing politicians in line as well, none of them are getting special treatment.