Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,637
I think there are a few factors at work:
1. There's A-list and A++++ list. Regular old A-list seem to fly commercial. A++++ fly privately. Oprah probably never flies commercial (though I was on a flight with Stedman last year). OTOH, I recently saw something about Ryan Gosling flying commercial.
2. Remember that when it comes down to it, a lot of "being a celebrity" involves sitting around. When it comes down to it, the time of a Fortune 10 CEO who works 70 hours a week is probably more valuable than the time of an A-list celeb who works 7 months a year.
3. Even a lot of celebs--particularly those who are hot but have only starred in a couple movies--don't have that much money when it comes down to it. Once you've paid your agent, manager, assistant, etc., you're not banking as much as people might expect on an annual basis.