Cip / vip / vvip
 

Due to some circumstances, I am able to get a CIP remark on my booking. Just wanted to get some more information on the protocols/ perks that come with this if anyone knows (paging eternaltransit :D)

Does EK provide escort through security/immigration/lounge etc.?

If the flight arrives at a remote stand will there be a separate car to the gate?

How much discretion is given to CIP/VIP/VVIP pax, any other perks?

Does the remark show up on the boarding pass/ ground manifest/ crew manifest?

What are the differentiations between CIP/VIP/VVIP?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions just super curious how these things work. Feel free to chime in if you know anything about it or have witnessed pax with these notes!

At SYD recently I had a CIP remark on the manifest. I was greeted at the lounge by the flight manager and escorted to the aircraft, boarded before anyone else.

When on board I was invited to the flight deck (this was about 1h before departure) and had a chat with the pilots and my picture in the big seat.

(I have pics to prove it ;) ).

Lets see them then.

S

Here you go!

CIP/VIP is, really, just there to massage the egos of their clients, sorry to say!

Assistance is on "request" - i.e. the travel coordinator has put something in the booking.

The extent is mainly escort from the lounge to the aircraft (extends to connecting to/from other airlines at the same airport). That is usually done by someone uniformed, but sometimes ground handling. The main benefit is that special requests in the booking will be read by a staff member as part of the routine: but no guarantee on if it can be done!

It will show on the manifest, but there is no real additional treatment than that as standard. Sometimes there might be escort from check-in, but that is very rare. If the crew is not so busy, they will do things (as sydtogla has found out!).

CIP/VIP designators are most usually negotiated as part of a corporate contract to make their key personnel feel more important.

iOs will have assistance from chauffeur-drive to aircraft, through security and immigration as required, and separate vehicles will be arranged for any non-airbridge stand - that doesn't happen for CIP/VIPs unless arrangements have been made specifically (usually requires money!). The escorting staff member will always be a member of EK staff (usually the ASO on duty or senior lounge supervisor), not GHA staff in EK uniform. They also get....5 extra kg of baggage allowance.

The only people who outrank iOs are VVIPs - they will invariably have had their requirements communicated in advance, e.g. if they require EK assistance for them and their entourage, arrangement of airport passes for non-travellers to accompany them to the gate/lounge. I am told though that most VVIPs are very low maintenance: their own staff have generally arranged everything with the appropriate authorities already.

^^. Did you push any buttons? :D

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.

I saw (and assume) a former US Vice President who was a VVIP, he was met by an EK entourage at the gate (he had his own security).

I only recognized him at the IAD AF F lounge when I heard him talking. That and his backpack with his name embroidered on it.

I remember the good old days when merely making Silver got you CIP status and a welcome on board speech from the Purser.

So would CIP be the same as "red carpet " treatment we here about , or am i completely wrong ?