Originally Posted by
HKprince
Great! Thanks for all the inputs. Just wanted to know more about the designations and their discretions.
Recently I had a CIP noting on a WY booking and was escorted from check in through security/immigration to lounge and then from lounge to aircraft. No private car at MCT unfortunately, had to slum it in the bus with J pax, but was moved to an F seat (with J service).
EK's CIP service seems a bit... frugal... though understanbly so for their size of operations. Any idea approx how many CIP/VIP pax they get? I assume VVIP is primarily royalty/ A-List celebs?
Quite a few - but put it this way, I've seen some of the VIP pax and they are complete nobodies (e.g. D-list actors and/or their families). Some actual VIPs don't have CIP/VIP on the manifest, but have special handling.
The usual extra handling for EK CIP/VIP is ends at escort from lounge to aircraft (and vice-versa if connecting). Nothing you can't buy with ground service companies!
Real CIPs to EK are usually given iO status - sometimes CIP is used by regional managers to highlight people who may in future be an influencer for sales, but not enough to warrant iO nomination, or e.g. a supplier to EK, regionally. So, like junior iO status, but with fewer perks.
VIP similarly to keep non-influencers but valued clients of clients happy - VIP appears on the boarding pass next to Skywards status (so you can have VIP/SILVER for instance). Of course, there are a few VIPs who get caught up with that!
VVIP is primarily Heads of State/Government and immediate family.