There Are Two Types of Airline Passengers
There are two kinds of people on airplanes:
Team “whatever they hand you in a ramekin.”
Team BYOC.
And yes… BYOC = Bring Your Own Caviar… and yes… I coined it. The OG. 2013-ish. Back when “inflight dining” was still trying to convince us a warm nut was a personality.
What Is BYOC (Bring Your Own Caviar)?
The idea is simple: you can’t always have caviar inflight… so you make the caviar party happen anyway. Life is short. Seats are narrow. Bring joy.
BYOC is the art of turning an already-decent cabin experience into something quietly unhinged (in a classy way).
It’s not about being extra for attention. It’s about being prepared for reality:
- Sometimes the menu is elite.
- Sometimes it’s “chicken or… also chicken.”
- Sometimes you’re in Business Class or IFC (International First Class) and still staring at a sad cheese plate like it’s a hostage situation.
BYOC is the antidote. It’s the move.
And before anyone asks: no, this isn’t about disturbing the cabin or making a scene.
BYOC is stealth wealth energy. Calm. Polite. Efficient. Like James Bond, but with mother-of-pearl.
The Origin of BYOC: Delta, British Airways & The Early Experiments
Let me take you back.
2013: Delta BusinessElite (now Delta One), AMS → BOS on an A330
This was the early lab work. The proto-BYOC era. The first time I realized: if the airline won’t deliver the vibe… I can.
It wasn’t a stunt. It was a philosophy.
Then the concept evolved the way all great ideas do: through repetition… and very good friends.
British Airways First on the 747 (Pre-Covid)
The big queen. The upper deck energy. That iconic 747 hum that makes you feel like you’re going somewhere important even if you’re just going to… Vegas.
British Airways First on the 777 (Covid Era)
The era of “fine, I’ll do it myself.” This became BYO Dom Pérignon 🍾 + glassware. If you know, you know.
American Airlines Domestic First on the A321neo
Yes, domestic. Yes, First. Yes, I brought blinis… and yes, we warmed them in the galley. Respectfully. Efficiently. Like adults.
This is where BYOC becomes less “food” and more “operating system.”
The Rules of BYOC (So You Don’t Get It Twisted)
If you’re going to do this, do it right. BYOC is about taste, not chaos.
- Keep it low-key. No production. No speeches. No “content creator” voice.
- Be nice to the crew. Always. The crew can make your flight magical or mid… and kindness is the best upgrade currency.
- Don’t disturb anyone. BYOC is not a nightclub. (We’ll get to that.)
- It’s not about flexing. It’s about making a moment when travel tries to turn you into a tired commuter with a boarding pass.
BYOC should feel like a secret club… not a reality show.
The Most Legendary BYOC Flight Ever: BA275 LHR → LAS (January 2020)
Now for the legend.
BA275, London Heathrow to Las Vegas, January 2020.
British Airways First. A 747. Right before the world hit pause.
We didn’t just do BYOC.
We did BYOC: Director’s Cut.
We had a ridiculous crew of friends. We had champagne. We had caviar. We had the kind of vibe that makes you look around and think: “This is either the best idea we’ve ever had… or the start of a group chat that never dies.”
It also happened to be our farewell lap with the BA 747 before it was retired. Whether it was literally the last 747 flight on the planet or just the last one that mattered to us… it felt like the curtain call. The big final bow. The end of an era.
Disco Gate: The Flyertalk Controversy
We had a “disco gate.”
Patrick brought a USB disco ball 🪩. Absolute king behavior.
Did we turn the cabin into Studio 54? No.
Did we disturb anyone? Also no.
Did we use it for a quick laugh and a little spoof energy? Yes. And it was perfect.
But here’s the funniest part: it ruffled feathers on the Flyertalk BA message board.
Some folks took it personally, like we’d violated the Geneva Convention of Quiet Luxury.
Which is wild, because the whole thing was contained, friendly, and very obviously meant to be a joke.
Some people don’t know how to live life.
Why BYOC Matters (And Why TravelZork Will Always Defend It)
Travel loyalty people love to talk about optimization.
Points. Status. Lounges. Upgrades. Suites. “Max value.”
BYOC is a different kind of value.
It’s life value.
It’s choosing joy even when the menu is tired and the world is loud and your flight is delayed and you’re 18 emails deep in “per my last message.”
It’s saying: “I’m here. I’m flying. I’m alive. Let’s make it a moment.”
Life, love, adventure… champagne and caviar.
Team BYOC or Team Ramekin?
So yeah.
Team BYOC… or team “whatever they hand you in a ramekin”?
And if you’ve ever been on Flyertalk mad about a disco ball… I genuinely hope something wonderful happens to you this week. Preferably with bubbles. 🍾
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Michael is a travel enthusiast who is passionate about food and casino adventures and is very detail-oriented when it comes to travel, especially when it comes to the entire flight and airport experience. Before returning to the USA, he resided in Europe (Amsterdam and London) from 2013 to 2020. Current passion projects include TravelZork, the creation of ZorkFest (The Preeminent Consumer-Focused Travel Loyalty (Miles+Points) and Casino Loyalty Conference), and ZorkCast Podcast. In addition, Michael is passionate about the history of Las Vegas and Atlantic City, as well as baccarat, and enjoys cooking and experiencing food around the globe.