Comments on: Looking Back: Flying Colonel & Flying Orchid Programs

By: Basketmr

Basketmr — Sat, 28 May 2011 04:26:53 +0000

My grandmother was bestowed the honor of becoming a member of the Order of the Flying Orchid in 1964. She is getting ready to celebrate her 90th birthday and we just found her award when we were going through pictures.

By: Sunset100

Sunset100 — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:46:28 +0000

Delta Still records me as a Flying Colonel on my reservations. Does this designation give me any benefits?

By: scott0317

scott0317 — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 16:12:48 +0000

I was a Flying Colonel years ago. I retired and did not travel as much. When I checked in for a flight with my wife I showed my card so I could use the Crown Room and the ticket agent laughed at me. That was my last trip on Delta. I’ll never go back. I gave away my frequent flyer miles. This from a guy who can still tell you my FF# from memory.

By: ksooder

ksooder — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:09:07 +0000

Have been a Flying Colonel for over twenty-five years. Most DL employees (new & senior) are well aware of the program. The FC luggage tags often elicit positive comments and respect at the check-in counter and in the cabin. Generally, the FC’s are allowed early boarding along with the current medallion holders. DL has a major customer relations opportunity to re-open complimentary Crown Room admission to the FC’s. At this time [2010], there are probably only a few of us still flying. Those of us continuing to fly offer DL much positive word-of-mouth potential.

By: frianm

frianm — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:17:08 +0000

I was saddened when talking to a member of the Delta staff in a CR and another at a ticket counter that they had never even heard of the FC status even when noted on the manifest. I am retired and fly less often. After Delta removed the “lifetime” CR privilege I was so mad it changed to Northwest. Now low and behold I am with Delta again. I have returned to Delta loyalty as I am now a missionary and travel more. My FF card still shows FC status. It would be nice if the staff could be properly educated.
Meanwhile I shall be back on a flight to JFK from London tomorrow, at least I am in an exit row!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:08:09 +0000

@Marie – Great to understand the history, when I was an FO (a LONG time ago…) I was told it stands for “Flys Often” and was a precursor to the current Silver, Gold, Platinum & Diamond tiers.

By: Marie Force

Marie Force — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:03:37 +0000

Chris: You’re right. We did some research this summer and a long time Delta Reservations employee confirmed: “Yes, we reused the code for Flying Orchid.”

Thanks to Rowena Bailey, formerly of Delta Res, Delta Museum & now Marketing for your help tracking down that answer!

Airads: Thank you for your info! I have not heard of that use of the FO before, so will add your story to my passenger program files and ask around about it.

By: airads

airads — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:16:28 +0000

I believe the Flying Orchid program was also used in the 1980′s to recognize frequent travelers who had not yet been invited into the Flying Colonel ranks. I was on the passenger manifest as a FO for several years and was told my FC invitation was iminent. However, 6 months later the FC program was retired.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:02:45 +0000

Now THAT explains why Silver Medallions are referred to as “FO”‘s on the manifest!