Originally Posted by KenJohn
Any "VIP" would be placed in Seat 1A. Their retinue would be placed around them. When Donatella Versace flew on the same flight as us, she was in 1A and her team (2 PAs and about 6 designers) took up the first 3 rows. We were in 4C & 4D (if I recall, must dig out that old boarding pass). The other half even walked up and got an autograph.
Like all celebrities, a BA host, walked her all the way to her seat at the last minute prior to the door closing at LHR and another BA host whisked her off first at JFK. The last I saw, she and her retinue were being walked through US immigration leave one poor PA behind to cope with all the luggage.
How times have changed for Donatella! My family and I were on the 744-operated BA293 LHR-IAD on 22 December 2005; we were in WT+, Donatella was in F.
When we 'deplaned' (don't you just love that word?) at IAD we all piled onto one of the mobile lounges - or whatever they are called - for the journey to the terminal; we were crammed in like sardines in a tin. There was Donatella mixing it with the J, WT+ and WT passengers - frankly looking very uncomfortable.
She's still got the 'one poor PA to cope with all the luggage' though. I bet she wishes Concorde was still in BA service.