I was wondering what the record for the most BIS miles for one year on Delta was.

I felt like I have traveled a ton this year but I don't think I'll crack 300K(1/2 HON equivalent). For the people that do set those records, is it mostly consultants?

IME, it's business folks who have operational responsibilities on multiple continents, are engaged in a trade business that requires their presence on both ends, or are launching a venture overseas. For example, in June I sat next to a manager in a midsize manufacturing company. They're adding manufacturing capacity in the Southeastern United States to supplement existing capacity in East Asia and Southeast Asia. For operational reasons, everything must be interchangeable between their facilities in the U.S., China, and Vietnam. He was on his 20th trip to Asia of 2013, on pace for between 40 and 45 trips. Several other members of his team were racking up similar numbers.

All in paid J -- but that's new this year. Last year he had made more than a dozen trips in paid Y -- although several were on fares from which he was able to upgrade with SWUs and he had a few op-ups, but his situation persuaded the company to change its travel policy for long flights.

What is the highest total that you have heard of in a calendar year? I recall someone mentioning around 550K.

That can't be fun. And I thought I got tired of seeing the same old J meals every flight, I can't imagine all that TPAC. But then again, I might be inclined to suffer through for what he was probably making, which I assume was one very pretty penny, especially if the company is paying J for him on 40+ TPACs.

Last year on HND-LAX I was next to a gentleman who mentioned something in the range of 700k. I can't even begin to grasp that in my head. Last year I was around 150MQM, 105BIS and it felt like I was on a plane every day. I like flying, but I'm glad I fall short of the point at which it begins to feel like a chore.

Once met a guy who worked for an oil company that commuted ATL DXB! every week. I think I met him in October or November a few years ago and he was around 800K All paid J of course

At the ATLDO in October 2010 Delta told us there was an eye surgeon who flew to the Middle East almost every week who had 750k MQMs to date for that year.

Is it just me that thinks that flying back and forth that far every week doesn't make any economical sense?
No wonder everything is so expensive. I can see flying back every other week.

Personally, my highest was about 325-330K for a year. Fortunately, that's started to be curbed back a bit. And, yes, I am a consultant who is now in a position to start farming stuff out to junior partners and able to focus a bit more on administrative issues.

I can't imagine doing 800K/year. After doing 300K+ for several years in a row, I didn't want to see the inside of another plane and if travelling didn't ultimately have an impact on my wallet, I probably would have stopped getting on those planes.

WOW! I'm @ 456K ground miles for the year. Will end the year between 650K and 700K. My A$$ hurts already!

No, it's not just you. That amount of back and forth flying seems like such a waste of both time and money. But I understand every situation is different, so it is what it is.

I envy those who do 100k a year in paid J. I do not envy anyone doing over 150k. That's nuts.

Not Delta, but I recall reading this article last year - my derriere hides in sympathy for that guy.

Yeah and he said he hopes to never do a million in a year again. Think Delta would put the name of their HVC on a plane?

ATL-DBX in paid J every week? That's a HVC.

Having your name on a NYC billboard isn't too shabby...
link

I'm not belittling high MQM's but paid J MQM's are not BIS, which is what the OP asked for.

I feel for anyone doing over 100K BIS domestic, especially when they're travelling for business and have work at both ends, even more so if they have a family.

Even if you do not count the Bonus MQMs he is still physically flying 500k miles a year. It is a lot you are looking at 20+ hours in a plane every week.