J K Bedi, a Delhi-based exporter in perfumes and cosmetics, has become the first passenger to log more than a million miles on Flying Returns, the Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP) launched by A-I and Indian Airlines (IA). As a reward for his globetrotting, Bedi was felicitated by the airlines here on Wednesday.

Flying Returns enables members to earn mileage points each time they fly to any destination in India or abroad on A-I, IA and Alliance Air, provided the ticket is bought and paid for in India. The mileage points can be redeemed on any one of these airlines or all three.

Since the day Bedi became a member of Flying Returns in June 1994, he has taken 359 flights on A-I on sectors such as Dubai, London, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and 161 other flights on the domestic sectors. And as many as 65 tickets on internationaldestinations of his choice for free, by merely redeeming the mileage points earned by him.

Speaking at the felicitation function, Bedi said over the last five years, he has witnessed a remarkable improvement in all the services provided by the international carrier. ``A-I has been my favourite by choice and it's getting better by the day. What's been quite remarkable is the near 100 per cent on time performance maintained by the airline in the last five years,'' he claimed. ``What's more, I have not lost my baggage on a single occasion.''

Bedi, his wife Ujwal, and their 11-year-old daughter were flown in from Delhi by A-I specially for the occasion and driven to the function venue in a six-door stretched Volvo. Apart from being presented a special `Million Miler' card, Bedi has been rewarded two A-I executive class tickets from Delhi to Singapore, a two night complimentary stay at a luxury hotel, a two-night complimentary cruise on a luxury liner and an international prepaid calling card.

Bedi remarkedthat his massive flying hours had made him realise that no airline was 100 per cent perfect. ``The changes that have taken place in A-I can be seen right from the menus, the in-flight service, fast baggage handling and other ground services. By now I know nearly all the pilots and even most of the flight supervisors personally and I have never had any problems whatsoever,'' the million miler said.