Tom StukerJust 25 years ago, Tom Stuker was afraid to fly. Today, Stuker averages nearly 29,000 miles in the air each month, and has for the past two decades, meaning an airplane is his second home. A few fun facts:
• Stuker logs 340,000 miles a year
• He has flown on nearly 6,000 United flights
• He has taken more than 200 round-trip flights to Australia
• He has flown to Asia nearly 30 times
• He has been to airports in all 50 states
• He has visited Hawaii 70 times
• He has seen nearly every movie offered on United since 1982
• He has sampled every menu selection and wine option on United
While Stuker would prefer to sleep more in flight, he uses the time to conduct business:
“I have found that the quiet and solitude allow me to be my most creative. During long flights, I’ve come up with some of my most innovative business ideas.”
10 Million Milestone
United Airlines celebrates Tom Stuker, the airline’s first United MileagePlus member to reach 10 million miles.
July 9, 2011 was a milestone day for United Airlines. As United Flight 942 passenger Tom Stuker touched down in Chicago, he became the first United MileagePlus member to earn 10 million miles in flight. A MileagePlus member since 1982, Stuker has logged nearly 6,000 United flights.
United employees, friends, family and media fêted Stuker, a Chicago-based automotive sales consultant, and presented him with a Titanium MileagePlus card, a framed commem-orative certificate, a custom-made book documenting his United flights and a model Boeing 787. United also named a Boeing 747 aircraft after Stuker, which was parked outside the gate. Stuker’s frequent travel earned him a guest appearance on Seinfeld and helped him land an upcoming reality show on Spike TV.
The United MileagePlus program launched in 1981 and is one of the world’s original, largest and most-rewarding travel loyalty programs. For more information, visit mileageplus.com.
How Far is 10 Million?
To put the feat into perspective, consider these comparisons. To reach 10 million miles, a traveler would have to:
• Circle the globe 400 times
• Fly to the moon and back 20 times
• Or, make around 54,000 round-trip flights between Houston and Chicago
Read This Next
Jamaica, Tryall Club, Chef Kai Bechinger
2011 / March 2011
Mar 1, 2012
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedMelt into Mediterranean Charm in Barcelona and Costa Brava
Usually regarded for its Modernist architecture, centuries of artistic influence and polarizing football team, Barcelona has come into its own as a growing tech hub. The capital of Catalonia hosts the annual Mobile World Congress each March, and its Poble Nou neighborhood cradles some of the world’s most recognizable startups like TravelPerk and Typeform.
Sponsored Content
Why Japan Is Best Explored by Sea with Princess
Japan is a destination that rewards repeat visits because no two regions — or seasons — feel quite the same. One moment, you’re wandering through centuries-old geisha districts in Kanazawa. The next, you’re watching neon reflections dance across Tokyo streets long after midnight.
Daily
Sep 21, 2026Ireland’s Dromoland Castle Announces Landmark Transformation
This November, Dromoland Castle is set to close its doors for six months for its largest redevelopment in its 63 years as a hotel. Set to reopen in June 2027, the 16th-century property in County Clare will debut a one-of-a-kind transformation with updates to accommodations, public spaces, wellness facilities, culinary features and more.
Destinations
Sep 21, 20266 Reasons to Put Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with us.
Sponsored Content
An Adults-Only Resort for All the Milestone Moments
On Saturday, Feb.14, Devossion by Live Aqua celebrated its grand opening, marking a significant milestone for Grupo Posadas and the Live Aqua brand. This adults-only resort focuses on celebration, authentic Mexican experiences and elevated hospitality — perfectly situated in the heart of the Riviera Maya.
Daily
Sep 21, 2026Women’s Retreats Now Available at Six Senses Kyoto, Six Senses Kanuhura
Designed to be a supportive experience for women of all ages, The Yin Way Retreat — The Way of a Woman is a new experience available to guests this year at Six Senses Kanuhura in the Maldives. It’s available Oct. 1 to 4 in the Maldives, and at Six Senses Kyoto in Japan Dec. 11 to 14.
Seven Seas Prestige to Feature New Spaces
September 2026
Sep 19, 2026Daily
Sep 18, 2026Windstar Unlocks Tower of London After Dark and Other New 2027 Experiences
Explore three different remarkable European destinations in 2027 with Windstar Cruises. The brand’s newest 224-guest, all-suite yacht, Star Explorer, debuts alongside complimentary Destination Discovery Events in Livorno, Dubrovnik and London.
Sponsored Content
Get to Know TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal's program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business. TAP FORBIZ offers solutions suited to each business: travel cost reduction, more flexibility, more benefits and more value. With TAP FORBIZ, businesses can centralize purchases, control the company budget and ensure greater cost predictability with exclusive discounts and benefits tailored to each company's profile. Each trip becomes a strategic decision to travel more and spend less.
September 2026
Sep 17, 2026High-Spirited Hong Kong: The Dynamic Hub Embraces Its Maritime History and Culture
It was known as the “Kai Tak heart attack” — the thrilling, terrifying final approach into Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport. Airliners were required to bank sharply at the last moment, dodging hills and apartment blocks to line up with a runway jutting out into Kowloon Bay. The airport is long gone, but international visitors are arriving at Kai Tak again, albeit more sedately. Their cruise ships dock smoothly at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, a modern gateway designed by Sir Norman Foster.
ShareThis