Some people travel by train, others prefer their car or a bike, but one man took to the skies in a way no one else has. Meet Tom Stuker, the man who used a lifetime travel pass to fly 2.4 crore miles (24
million), the equivalent of travelling to the moon 50 times!
This extraordinary feat has turned him into a legend at United Airlines, who now treats him like a VIP — and rightly so.
From A Fear Of Flying To Ruling The Skies
Tom Stuker, aged 71, hails from Nutley, New Jersey, USA. Professionally, a car dealership consultant and sales trainer, Tom initially had a crippling fear of flying. To calm his nerves before flights, he relied on prayer and rum.
Once, on a short, delayed flight from Los Angeles to San Diego, he drank so much out of anxiety that he remained slumped in his seat for 20 minutes after landing, much to the amusement of fellow passengers. However, as he continued flying for work, his fear gradually faded.
The £230,000 Decision That Changed Everything
In 1990, United Airlines launched a remarkable offer: a lifetime, unlimited first-class travel pass for $290,000 (roughly around Rs 2.38 crore today). The pass granted unrestricted, first-class travel across the globe for life.
While many ignored the offer, Tom Stuker didn’t hesitate. That single decision completely changed the course of his life.
Breaking Records In The Sky
Tom quickly began to rack up the miles. By 2009, he became the first passenger to fly 10 million miles with United Airlines, a milestone that the airline celebrated in style. By 2018, he’d doubled that, reaching 20 million miles, and by May 2024, he soared past 24 million miles.
To date, Tom has taken over 12,000 flights, visited more than 100 countries, and flown to Australia over 300 times. In several years, he averaged more than 1 million miles annually.
United Airlines’ Favourite Passenger
More than just a frequent flyer, Tom became a brand ambassador for the airline. United Airlines honoured him by naming two aircraft after him, an exceptional tribute. He’s also known for his signature seat: 1B, a first-class front-row aisle seat, which he cheekily calls his ‘second home’.
The airline regularly celebrated his milestones with “parties in the sky”, complete with decorated cabins, cake-cutting, and crew photo sessions. On landing, he’d receive a VIP welcome in the lounge.
Love At 5 Million Miles
During his journeys, Tom met his wife while in Hawaii, shortly after surpassing the 5 million mile mark. Since their wedding, the couple has enjoyed over 120 honeymoons together, thanks to his unlimited travel perks.
Hollywood Took Note
Tom Stuker’s incredible story even inspired the 2009 Hollywood film Up in the Air, starring George Clooney, who played a character based on him. While many dream of a life of travel, Tom Stuker has lived it, and made history along the way.