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Fred Finn, the world’s most prolific flyer

By Adam GavineJune 21, 20181 Min Read

Fred Finn outside 10 Downing St, home of the UK Prime Minister.

Fred was a cover star in January 1986. 'Mach 2 man' was the ultimate pin-up for jetsetting yuppies in the 1980s

We get the feeling Fred rather enjoyed the 1980s

Who's that with Fred? Ah yes, it's Mikhail Gorbachev, head of state of the Soviet Union from 1988 until 1991

Fred met many celebrities over his flying life. Here he is pictured with tennis star Martina Navratilova

Receiving a Guinness World Record in 1996 from awards co-founder Norris McWhirter

Fred's Guinness Book of World Records award for having flown more air miles than any other passenger in history

What car does a man like Fred Finn drive? An Audi 90 Quattro, according to this advertisement

Fred chose his landmark flights carefully, and as a big fan of Kenya, it seemed a fitting destination for his 11 millionth air mile

Kenya Airways guests could enjoy raise a glass to Fred at 30,000ft

Making more friends in Kenya

Having visited Kenya more than 500 times, he has several special momentoes from the country, including a rhino sculpture presented to him by the Permanent Secretary of tourism and wildlife

Fred introduced Richard Branson to the Red Arrows, the UK's Royal Air Force aerobatic team

A 600th Concorde flight is worth marking in style!

An impromptu celebration on board a Virgin Atlantic flight in 2014

A 1992 letter to Fred from his friend, Sir Richard Branson. Fred helped devise several parts of the Virgin Atlantic passenger experience, including the chauffeur service

Yet more warm sentiments, this time from Ukraine International Airlines

Even flight attendants feel like passing a note to this esteemed flyer. This note was passed to Fred on a 2012 flight by Oksana, a senior flight attendant with Ukraine International Airlines

Forget Louis Vuitton or Hermes, this commemorative belt is really exclusive

British Airways had the commemorative belt buckle engraved

Fred in his natural habitat. Seat 9A, his favorite spot on Concorde

Another of Fred's natural habitats: the Concorde lounge at Heathrow

Trying out Concorde's cockpit seats for size

A coveted Concorde bag tag…

… which is a very special Concorde bag tag. This tag marks not only the first scheduled transatlantic Concorde flight, but the most Concorde flights taken

Just one card from a wallet bulging with top-tier airline loyalty cards

United didn't make a card big enough to accommodate Fred's extraordinary travel miles

Fred's unique flyer status has opened doors – and seem him officially open buildings

An airport hotel in Dubai named one of its restaurants after Fred

A cartoon from Fred Finn's collection

Another year, another magazine cover. This is the 'flying Finn' gracing the May 1996 cover of Gulf Weekly

Roy Watts, deputy chairman of British Airways wrote this introductory note in 1981

Colin Marshall, CEO of British Airways in 1984 followed tradition with this rather special letter

Not a bad place to be. Here the world's most prolific flyer stands between extraordinary feats of engineering

One machine can reach 240mph, the other 1,354mph. Which would you prefer?

An advertorial for Samsonite luggage

Fred reminiscing in seat 9A during a trip to the aviation museum at Filton, UK

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Adam Gavine

Adam loves air travel, and since taking on the Aircraft Interiors International brand he has really enjoyed the opportunity to be involved with the latest aircraft and airline products before they are even launched. Adam co-ordinates the growth of the brand platform, and sits on various panels, including the Crystal Cabin Awards