From The Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition:

Richard Farmer had just set foot in the airport terminal when he learned that his Delta Air Lines connecting flight to Los Angeles was delayed indefinitely, a travel experience all too familiar to anyone who flies regularly.

What happened next, though, is not: Within moments, Mr. Farmer was whisked to the runway by a Delta representative, led to a waiting station wagon and driven to a rival American Airlines plane at a different terminal. As he got out of the car, another employee handed him his ticket and escorted him onto the plane, his luggage already stowed below. The flight took off minutes later.

Sound special? It is. Though few travelers know it, many of the big airlines today dole out some fairly startling perks for an elite group of fliers, including celebrities, business executives and top frequent fliers. You can't apply to get into these so-called special-services programs -- the airlines pick members -- but the benefits include special lounges, curbside greetings and even private boardings. One carrier, American, has a staff of about 40 people at the three New York City airports to deal with the needs of these folks.
http://travel.wsj.com/n/SB950893085497482074-main.html