For frequent flyers, it’s probably quite clear just how common advertising is throughout
the entire travel experience. While most of it stays within the cabin, your aircraft might
be wrapped in a livery as some sort of advertising campaign. In this video, we’ll look at all
the ways airlines hit us with adverts and ask whether or not this ruins the overall
travel experience. The physical inflight magazine might soon
be a thing of the past given current events. However, it may survive in digital form, accessible
via personal devices. Whatever the format, the inflight magazine is one of the main forms
of inflight advertising passengers are presented with on the journey.
We came across a company by the name of PXCom. Interestingly, this one media company manages
inflight magazines for a number of airlines including
Delta Tarom
Aeroflot China Airlines
and many more… “Tourists at destination do not know which
restaurant to choose to have a good time and enjoy good products. Raise interest and be
one step ahead…” – PXCom website Advertising has continued to evolve over the
years. Nowadays you might still see a half, or full-page advert promoting a particular
product. However, the sneakier way to advertise comes in the form of custom articles and travel
guides that feature a particular attraction or restaurant.
Inflight entertainment adverts can be some of the most annoying forms of advertisement
if not done well. Some airlines, MEA for example, will run a lengthy series of ‘unskippable’
promotions after take-off. For other airlines, it seems to be more common that adverts will
play just before the passenger settles in to watch a television show or movie. The nice
thing about many of these airlines and their systems is that the ads are completely skippable,
allowing the passenger to jump right into the entertainment if they so choose.
We offer advertisers and brands to partner with select inflight entertainment airline
partners to display standard 30 and 60 second advertisements or custom content to millions
of travelers who are already watching prime television and movie selections during their
domestic and international flights. –Global Eagle website
And then there is essentially everywhere else within the cabin. This “strategy” is more
common on budget carriers, who are a little more shameless with how much selling they
do during the journey. Spaces include: The seatback
Tray table Overhead locker
Disposable cups And Airsickness bags
Outside the aircraft Some airlines will allow advertisers to paint
the exterior of their aircraft to promote their own brand. According to the Chicago
Business Journal, the “Star Wars” airplane livery tie-in was actually United’s second
movie-related marketing deal in 2019. Earlier that year, the US carrier secured a product
placement deal with a newly-released Spider-Man movie. For this deal, we saw Peter Parker
(aka Spider-Man) take a trip to Europe in the movie. In one scene, he is seen reaching
his destination in United’s Polaris international business class. Part of this co-promotion
also saw the production of a special Spider-Man-themed inflight safety video.
Some don’t mind advertising and are able to tune everything out as they fly through
the sky. Other passengers may feel bombarded and surrounded by visual noise.
Usually, when it comes to inflight entertainment systems – passengers would prefer to begin
their television show or movie of choice as soon as possible. Therefore, having to wait
a few minutes would feel like an annoyance. Of course, this is mitigated if the adverts
can be skipped. Sometimes advertising is made fun and can
actually enhance the experience. While very much an advert for the Star Wars franchise,
many travelers do enjoy the Star Wars liveries adopted by ANA, United, and LATAM aircraft.
For budget airlines, in particular, advertising can be a necessary evil that actually subsidizes
and offsets the cost of airfare. This allows low-cost carriers to maintain a healthy profit
while keeping ticket prices low. How do you feel about advertising in (and
outside of) aircraft? Does it drive you mad or are you quite good at tolerating it? Let
us know in the comments.