This is so much fun as Merry's account is factually inaccurate. (or at least it is in direct and clear contradiction to the BBC program I watched yesterday).
According to Merry,
> No boarding card was issued.
A boarding card *WAS* issued for her, as every passenger on a commercial flight *MUST* be issued one. They clearly showed the boarding pass on the telly with the seat designation "1A". On their computers she was checked in as a First class passenger. One of her entourage did take the boarding pass on the plane on her behalf.
Therefore, a boarding pass was issued for her and her representative took it on board the plane.
Also from Merry,
> Not F class, so no FF miles
Two points are salient:
(a) Undeniably, the flight was a regularly scheduled commercial flight (ANZ 001), not a special flight or a charter.
(b) Since a boarding pass was issued and Her Majesty was checked in as a First-class passenger, I can see no reason why frequent flier mileage could not have been claimed by the Queen.
I'll admit two things:
(1) ANZ wasn't a member of the Star Alliance at that time. However I presume that ANZ had some sort of ff program at that time.
(2) The boarding pass was issued in the name of "Mrs. Muir". However, on the program the reason for that was explained - "by convention, her real name is never ever used"
However, at the end of the day.
- Her Majesty has never even flown on British Airways ("OneWorld")
- But she flew on a carrier that is now "Star Alliance"
Therefore, my original statement,
> The Queen flies on the STAR ALLIANCE !!!
is arguably correct. I'd like to see your rebuttal
Also whether she went through customs or immigration or used the lounge is totally irrelevant to the topic at hand. Many people in many countries have exemptions from such formalities in their home country. Customs/Immigration is a responsibility of the *country* and has nothing to do with the *airline* of choice. Whether she used the lounge is irrelevant for the same reasons.
[This message has been edited by megamiles (edited 04-18-99).]