When people tell comedian James Adomian they don’t enjoy stand-up, a common complaint often follows: they don’t understand the humor in “airplane jokes and impressions.” It’s a recurring critique, as though we’ve all agreed these topics are overused and lazy. This notion, however, overlooks the essence of stand-up comedy. No topic is inherently stale. When comedic themes lose their freshness, talented performers breathe new life into them — as Anthony Jeselnik did with one-liners and Bo Burnham with musical comedy.
As comedy legend Del Close once said, to find what’s funny, “follow the fear.” Airplanes, long associated with anxiety, continue to be ripe territory for turning dread into humor. Adomian’s “Sky Priority” bit, recorded at Los Angeles’s Elysian Theater for his September 2024 special Path of Most Resistance, serves as a perfect example. Despite including an impression, “Sky Priority” breaks the so-called airplane-joke stereotype and proves that even the most common comedic premises can be reimagined.
In the bit, Adomian immediately establishes his irreverent tone, revealing his participation in Delta’s rewards program — but with no loyalty to the airline. He even jokes about hoping for its nationalization, setting the stage for both his socialist views and one of his signature impressions. His take on Bernie Sanders, using the politician’s voice to comment on legroom inequality, is less about mimicking the celebrity and more about creating a full character. Adomian’s skillful use of impressions, shaped by his training at the Groundlings Theatre, brings a unique depth to his comedy. Rather than just copying voices, he makes them characters with clear points of view.
The Bernie Sanders impersonation is particularly striking. Adomian uses it to build a hilarious argument on legroom, and his delivery — including a perfectly timed incoherent rant — earns the first applause break of the bit.
As the bit unfolds, Adomian cleverly avoids the trap of preachiness. Rather than merely criticizing corporate greed, he includes himself in the joke. He admits that, despite his progressive beliefs, he’s also fallen for Delta’s small rewards and luxury perks. This twist keeps the satire fresh and relatable, as he portrays his personal journey from socialist ideals to corporate indulgence.
Adomian’s writing shines through as he reveals his pre-Delta views in exaggerated examples, like his idealistic statement “One man, one vote — I’d never ask for anything more!” In this moment, he adopts a posh, old-school accent that initially seems out of place but soon fits perfectly with the bit’s themes of class and corporate culture. The humor escalates as Adomian plays with the absurdity of feeling important for receiving trivial airline perks. By 9:45, he’s fully embraced the Delta rewards mindset, boasting about his newly acquired “priority” status with exaggerated pride.
The performance takes an even funnier turn as Adomian transforms into a snobbish English gate agent. His disdain for lower-tier frequent flyers, particularly gold members, is delivered with humor and flair. His line, “We now welcome gold — boo!” prompts laughter from the audience, highlighting the ridiculousness of status-driven systems.
By 11:30, Adomian’s comedic style veers into surrealism as he delivers an increasingly outlandish portrayal of Delta’s top-tier frequent flyers. The bit escalates into absurdity when he introduces the “Hermetic Order of the Platinum Chalice,” an imagined reward rank that is so outlandish it prompts a round of applause. Adomian’s physical comedy — from embodying the slow gait of an elderly passenger to adopting his old man’s voice — is a masterclass in character work.
As the bit nears its climax, the surreal humor intensifies. Adomian’s Sapphire Squadron member, who earlier knelt before the Platinum Chalice holder, now confronts the old man with threats and mock pride. Adomian physically transforms between the two characters, adding a layer of complexity and depth to the exchange. His commitment to physicalizing the dialogue, spitting and posturing, gives the skit an intensity that only builds the audience’s appreciation.
The culmination of the bit, with the Sapphire Squadron member threatening to report the old man to the “Oneworld Alliance,” highlights how easily corporate language can become ridiculous. By the end, Adomian’s punchline, “that’s what’s happening on Delta Airlines,” delivers a poignant commentary on the absurdity of corporate power. What starts as a satire of airline perks evolves into a broader social critique, echoing the ideals of Bernie Sanders: the corporations are the true villains, manipulating passengers into petty rivalries while remaining detached from the struggles of the everyday person.
“Sky Priority” isn’t just a clever airline bit — it’s a sharp commentary on class, status, and corporate control. Adomian’s unique ability to blend humor, impression, and political insight makes this one of the standout comedy performances of the year.
