From The Wall Street Journal, "The Middle Seat" by Scott McCartney:

The Star Treatment: Flying Like Jennifer Aniston
How the Air-Travel Industry Pampers and Protects VIPs;
Paying for Celebrity Status
April 1, 2008

Elite-level frequent fliers get lots of perks and attention from airlines. But it's nothing like the "star" treatment.

Despite massive cost-cutting and shrinking service, airlines still roll out the red carpet for celebrities. Many carriers have "special service" staffers to speed stars and VIPs through airports and on to planes, or out back doors to limousines. Special rooms, some hidden behind unmarked doors adjacent to gates and some private lounges inside airport clubs, are reserved for politicians, movie stars, sports heroes and other dignitaries.

Celebrities receive special pampering from airlines including priority service and special meals. What do you think?

"We are left to our own devices in terms of creativity," said Philip Williams, a British Airways PLC special-services representative at Los Angeles International Airport, which is ground zero for airline star treatment. British Airways recently slipped a major movie star out of the airport "completely avoiding photographers by devious, but legal, means," Mr. Williams says with pride. He can't say who, but airport officials say Angelina Jolie was a recent airport patron.

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