< Reveal sidebar

Our Top 5 Favorite Airline Commercials

An IFE screen aboard Delta (Photo via Ryan Ewing)

Let’s face it, nobody is a fan of commercials, but if you are an #AvGeek you know that airline commercials can shed some light on other dull commercials. We all have been there when you are in the doctor’s office and among all the car commercials, a commercial with an airplane comes on and you light up, trying not to make a scene while yelling “AIRPLANE!” In this story, we outline our top five favorite airline commercials that were aired in recent years:

5. United Airlines – Onboard with “Rhapsody in Blue” 

Come on, nothing says retro jet age better than the song “Rhapsody in Blue.” About 40 years laters, United is still using “Rhapsody in Blue” in their commercials and safety videos. The song is truly apart of their brand and this commercial embodies the sheer level of focus and fine touch that goes into every flight by comparing it to an orchestra.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XYtGYrQeV4

4. Virgin Atlantic – Let It Fly

In this ad, Virgin Atlantic does a great job capturing the importance of a comfortable flight. A comfortable and smooth flight can ultimately be a great start to a trip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s87zEz4Ybho

3. Delta – Up

“Up, a short word but a tall order…” With this commercial, we get a peek behind the scenes at Delta and how they are “in the business of up.” It shows all the hard work that goes into putting an aircraft up in the sky.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm6iyOq0v-Y

2. Southwest Airlines – Welcome Aboard 

With its fun safety briefings, colorful livery, and the “LUV” motto, Southwest is truly different from other airlines. With this commercial, they show how being different and “charting your own course” helped them to grow immensely.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koutYJ0vqgI

1. British Airways – To Fly, To Serve 

If you are an #AvGeek, this commercial should give you some chills. For an ad, it is very powerful and depicts the history of flight and commercial aviation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XozHLoqwp_4

Commercials are not all that bad now, are they? Well, the ones without airplanes can still be a bit boring. With these commercials, we see how far airlines will go to market their brands.

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming…

Ryan Ewing
Follow Ryan

Author

  • Ryan Ewing

    Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Subscribe to AirlineGeeks' Daily Check-In

Receive a daily dose of the airline industry's top stories along with market insights right in your inbox.

Related Stories

Why Overbooking Is Good For You

The term 'overbooking' sounds dreadful to those who once got denied boarding on a flight that they were scheduled to…

A Few Very Ill-Timed Coincidences

Knowing your audience is perhaps one of the most critical components of running any successful niche media outlet. And after…

U.s.,President,Joseph,Biden,Speaks,As,He,Kicks,Off,The

Ongoing Aviation Labor Disputes Could Put White House in a Bind

In September, Joe Biden made history by being the first sitting U.S. president to join a picket line of auto…