When your parent works for an airline, traveling around the world is easy, as a self-confessed ‘airline nepo baby’ has revealed.
Joshua Crawford, 23, from New Jersey, has built a growing social media following thanks to his globetrotting content – which he admits is due to the fact that his father works as an Aircraft Tools, Calibration and Support Equipment Supervisor for United, which means that his son can board flights for free.
In a TikTok post, Joshua – whose father worked for the airline for 24 years – showed how he has amassed 260,212 miles over the past five years, after flying 123 flights to more than 30 cities around the world.
In another upload, he outlines the other benefits of being an airline ‘fake baby’ – besides being able to fly for virtually nothing.
Joshua Crawford, 23, from New Jersey, has built a growing social media following thanks to his globetrotting content – which he admits is down to his father working for United
He has amassed 260,212 miles over the past five years, having completed 123 flights to more than 30 cities around the world. Pictured above on a recent trip to Paris
The first plus he mentions is that international travel is ‘easy’. This is because it has Global Entry, which includes TSA pre-check.
Although he didn’t get Global Entry for free, he said Business insider Thanks to his father’s job, he got a discount.
Then Joshua says he can score free upgrades – including to first class – on all flights if seats are available.
In one photo, he shows how he landed a $7,000 fully flat seat in United’s Polaris business class cabin at no extra cost.
And in dozens of other clips, he can be seen enjoying dinner in luxurious cabins, with glassware and silver cutlery in view.
The third benefit of being an airline nepo baby, Joshua says, is that he gets access to airport lounges so he never has to spend money on food in the terminals.
In 2023, the influencer visited four continents, traveling through the US, Europe, Australia and Japan.
At United Airlines, employees’ children have their flight privileges revoked when they turn 26.
However, since Joshua is listed as his father’s “main companion,” he has managed to maintain the VIP treatment.
Joshua says he can score free upgrades – including to first class – on all flights if seats are available
Another benefit of being an airline nepo baby, Joshua says, is that he gets access to airport lounges so he never has to spend money on food in the terminals.
Although Joshua can fly across America for free by standing by, he has to pay taxes on international flights, but he says this is a fraction of what a full-price ticket would cost.
For example, he only had to pay $70 for a last-minute flight from Japan to the US
He told his TikTok followers that he feels “blessed.”
In addition to his posts, other airline nepo babies have weighed in.
One of Joshua’s fans wrote, “My mom works at Delta and my dad works at Southwest. I have had so many wonderful experiences because of it.’
Another revealed: ‘It really is a blessing to be able to hop on a flight when you need to. I used Delta like I used Uber in college.”
Like Joshua, a TikToker said her mother, who works for JetBlue, made her a “flying partner” so she wouldn’t lose the benefits when she turned 24.
“Truly the most amazing privilege,” she added.
Joshua currently lives in California.
After earning a degree in marketing, he is looking for work while working part-time at Trader Joes.
In his TikTok outlining the pros of being an airline nepo baby, United Airlines commented, exclaiming, “We love this for you!”
Joshua hinted that he might be interested in following in his father’s footsteps by pursuing a career in the aviation industry, replying, “I love you guys to my core. I’m also looking for a job.’