Summary

  • Todd from San Diego flew 14 million miles with Delta Air Lines over 30 years, equal to 560 times around the world.
  • Delta acknowledged Todd’s experience with a tour of HQ and sought feedback for improvement.
  • Other frequent flyers like Tom Stuker and Fred Finn have reached similar remarkable travel milestones.

Reaching one million miles or points with any airline loyalty program is quite an achievement. Many programs acknowledge this by offering a recognized status award at one million miles (often giving lifetime airline status). The most frequent travelers go further than this, however. At least one Delta Air Lines traveler has flown over 14 million miles over the past 30 years.

US flyer has reached 14 million miles

In early 2023, Delta Air Lines released details of a passenger who had reached the incredible milestone of flying 14 million miles with the airline – the first ever to do so. Todd from San Diego flew from Zurich (ZRH) to New York (JFK) on March 6th, 2023, passing the threshold of 14 million miles on the way. The airline celebrated this milestone both on the flight and in the JFK lounge on arrival.

Related

Delta Air Lines Celebrates Passenger Who Has Accumulated 14 Million Miles

The passenger hit the impressive milestone on a flight from Zurich to New York earlier this month, and Delta Air Lines was sure to mark the occasion.

At the time, the airline explained just how significant this achievement was. It takes the average Delta Air Lines passenger 22 years to fly one million miles. Todd had managed to reach 14 million miles in just 30 years.

The circumference distance around the earth at the equator is almost 25,000 miles (the average around-the-world flight routing, of course, would be more than this). Just using that as a simple measure, Todd’s flying history is equivalent to 560 times around the world.

Todd with Delta Air Lines

Photo: Delta Air Lines

Helping out the airline on the way

With this experience and time spent with the airline, Todd has more experience onboard than most crew ever will. Delta has also acknowledged this, inviting him to share his thoughts.

Todd with Delta Air Lines

Photo: Delta Air Lines

Todd was invited in 2023 to the airline headquarters in Atlanta for a tour of its facilities. As part of this, he shared his experience with staff and management. A little of what he said was shared by the airline:

“You can’t really see it, but when you’re part of the Delta experience, you feel it… For the longest time, I’ve always said that it’s really about the entire experience, even before the customer arrives at the airport.”

Related

Delta Air Lines Turns To Its Most Frequent Flyer For Improvement Ideas

Delta Air Lines has invited a flyer with over 14 million miles to provide feedback to the carrier.

Million Miles with Delta SkyMiles

High levels of flying are acknowledged by many of the main loyalty programs with lifetime status (hotel loyalty programs do the same for high numbers of stays and long-term membership).

With Delta Air Lines SkyMiles program, this is awarded from one million miles flown up to five million (and above). Todd may be well ahead of this status – but it is a more realistic aim for many others!

Delta offers the following million-mile lifetime tiers:

Million Mile Tier

SkyMiles lifetime status

1 Million Miles

Gold Medallion

2 Million Miles

Platinum Medallion

3 Million Miles

Diamond Medallion

4 Million Miles

Diamond Medallion

5 Million Miles

Invitation to Delta 360 (Delta’s invitation-only elite status)

Related

The Different Tiers Of Delta Air Lines’ SkyMiles Program

Elite staus beings many perks and benefits in mileage earning and onboard treatment – with Delta Air Lines and its partners.

Some other important points about Million Miler status with SkyMiles:

  • This count for Million Miler status is based on all miles flown, excluding Basic Economy fares. Until the end of 2023, it was based on the total number of Medallion Qualifying Miles (MQMs), but is now more restricted.
  • Lifetime status offers exactly what the name implies. Members receive that level of status each year going forward, regardless of continued mileage spending. It offers all the benefits of standard status with SkyMiles, including SkyTeam elite status benefits.
  • Members also receive a gift and personalised tags each time they reach a new level.

Read more about the benefits that apply from the first level of Gold Medallion – awarded for life at one million miles.

Other travelers who have reached extreme levels

Todd is not alone in this amazing, frequent travel club. Of course, some people will choose not to disclose or publicize their frequent travel achievements – but many do.

Tom Stuker is generally acknowledged to be the most frequent commercial flyer to date. He has racked up an incredible 23 million miles with United Airlines and was well on track to reach 24 million as of the end of 2023.

Related

Tom Stuker: The Story Of The World’s Most Frequent Flyer

Stuker is on course to hit 24 million miles soon with United Airlines.

When it comes to flying massive amounts in style, Fred Finn must come out top. He has flown an amazing almost 14 million miles on Concorde – taking an incredible 718 flights on Concorde (and no doubt much more elsewhere).

Would you like to discuss Todd’s or others’ achievements more? Or lifetime status and benefits in general? Feel free to do so in the comments section below.


  • SkyMiles Tall-1

    SkyMiles

    Participating Airlines:
    Delta Air Lines

    Owner:
    Delta Air Lines

    Region:
    North America

    Countries:
    United States

    Established Date:
    1981-00-00

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