As a self-professed airline nerd, I enjoy just about every airline commercial. However, some are better than others…indeed, some are much better. Here’s a countdown of my 10 favorite airline commercials of all time.
#10 – Virgin Atlantic 25th Anniversary
I don’t think type of ad would fly in the “Me Too” world of 2020, but it tells a story and captures the allure (overstated, I must add) of flying on Virgin Atlantic.
#9 – Emirates featuring Jennifer Aniston
The flight attendants from the “other airlines” in the galley cracks me up every time I watch this ad.
#8 – Air France Elegance
Air France “celebrates the French art of living…the little touches and that “je ne sais quoi” so characteristic of France” and this ad so nicely captures that.
#7 – Lufthansa “Fanhansa”
I giggled at all the German stereotypes in the dream sequence. Hilarious!
#6 – Singapore Airlines Across the World
There’s always an aura of beauty surrounding the Singapore Girl and this ad also showcases the beauty of some of the destinations that Singapore serves.
#5 – Turkish Airlines Homage to Domestic Service
We usually focus on Turkish Airlines’ international route network, since the airline flies to more countries than any other airline. But this ad focuses on the Turkish domestic network.
#4 – Etihad Airways featuring Nicole Kidman
There is such elegance to this commercial and it reminds me of Etihad Airways’ heyday, but also that its best days may still be ahead.
#3 – KLM 100th Annivesary Ad
This is a powerful video telling the story of a family and the story of progress.
#2 – British Airways To Fly, To Serve
What a remarkable ad that features beautiful imagery, history, and a compelling message of service.
#1 – United Airlines A Life
Of course I’m more inclined to this ad as a very frequent United flyer, but I love the story it tells of United being part of his life…it is the story of my life as well.
Honorable Mention – More Air France
While the video below did not make the top 10 cut, it deserves honorable mention. Air France sells on its luxury and this unique ad is visually stunning:
Honorable Mention – Alaska Airlines Flying In The 80s
This extended commercial was way ahead of its time, predicting all sorts of cutbacks that we are now seeing today. It’s hilarious too!
What are your favorite airline commercials?
Thank you for a great compilation!
Great smiles and memories.
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Love your list Matthew…thank you. I was wondering if the Alaska bit was going to make it…definitely way ahead of its time and still makes me smile today. And my all time fav is from many many years ago. My Dad was a pilot for Hughes Airwest and he was featured in a print and billboard ad for the “Top Banana in the West” in the 70s. What great memories! Here’s to the wonderful times that airlines have given us over the years and hoping the skies will be friendlier again soon! #BeSafe #BeKind #BeAHelper
Hi Paul, do you have a link/picture of the Hughes ad? I’d love to see it.
Thanks for asking Matthew. He is front and center…right behind the “Yes!” lol
He was a great guy. At his memorial service…so many of his airline colleagues from Hughes, Republic, and then NW/DL came in uniform to pay their respects.
Everything I coach and practice around leadership is from his examples throughout my life.
http://ow.ly/Ti8U50yRZ1a
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing @ Paul.
Turkish is simply the best…
Ahh, I love this post! Some of these are interesting although my favourite is Turkis “The Journey”, I just love a good mystery. Sadly I don’t think I ever saw the follow up to that one (with the solution of the mystery!)
The Singapore one hit home for me after flying 60,000 miles on Singapore in December, January and February. What an amazing airline!
OK this was fun to watch – but as a five year old “av-geek” back when it was not trendy (taking my summer vacation airplane safety cards (which I always asked for – and who could say no to a 5 year old kid, some still don’t say no to a 45 year old 🙂 ) like a Eastern 727-100QC, and Northwest ORIENT DC-10 into school for show and tell, and could even identify the planes in the air by age 7….
… in those days there was an airline Southern Airlines. They served free beer and were all coach! They had MY favorite airplane ad…. which now looking back was not so glossy – but the idea was super….
On competitors, board through first class where there was a party… good food, champagne, etc…. The flight attendant sees the ticket and says “second cabin”… well check out the link below to see what was back there:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yulxnzAsWEM
I never saw this Alaska Airlines commercial as I lived in Florida…
I’m glad to see that info keeps coming, looking forward to us pulling through this and travel resuming its place as an important part of many of our lives!!! Hang in and be safe all!
Southern Airways showed the party getting started ; let’s see the party as it develops
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1OyP8SeGPgM
Air New Zealand’s commercials with Rico are still among the funniest in the business; if you want a real good laugh check them out.
I absolutely love that you put this together! Clever and needed in this weird time we are in. I think we all needed a break from pandemania.
This is great and just enjoyed watching them all during lunch. Alaska is hilarious! It almost all came to be, lol. Ironically, even on Alaska to an extent.
Great post. Thanks. I always liked, Eastern, The Wings of Man ads.
@ Matthew — OMG, I have never before seen that Alaska commercial. Hilarious!
You left the two best of all time off the list
1. America west mosh pit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pbSANdJyiA
2. JetBlue father and son
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=the+ad+store+jetblue+father+and+son&docid=608000891993075015&mid=F3D716193A025694461FF3D716193A025694461F&view=detail&FORM=VIRE&adlt=strict
The old school United ones are absolutely fantastic. Love that you have one of them at one.
Always one of my favorite ads of all time.
@ Matthew — Have you seen this United commercial (link below)? This is my favorite as UA was the first carrier to take me to the Far East for the first time (and quite a few times since)
https://youtu.be/t5YJzWmJww4
@Matthew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O17Hvb5mEXQ&ab_channel=krisjetzkrisjetz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgd6K2vi0wk&ab_channel=MrSlonimsky
These two are fantastic as well. The first link gives me serious nostalgia when I hear that music beat and see the grey 747.
“While the two videos below did not make the top 10 cut, I enjoyed them both and wanted to include them.”
Where is the ANA one? LOL
Ask ANA! They removed it and I did not download it. I should download all of these…
I think the Westjet Christmas Miracle videos qualify as an ad and deserve to be on the honorable mentions list!
Not an ad, but I do LOVE the Christmas miracle videos!
How do any of the ads already mentioned compare to the British Airways “Face” ad in ambition and scale?
Amazing .
This commercial is regarded as the best of all time in the ad industry
I cried watching this. Back when British Airways was truly British, representing our country’s brand across the world. The visuals also show indirectly the hope and optimism that many felt around the 80s and 90s (though not perfect, infinitely better than today).
Today’s BA leadership clearly lacks the vision of Lord King and Lord Marshall.
Back when BA was truly the Worlds Favourite Airline, and genuinely British rather than the superficial and shallow image of today. Miss the days of Lord King and Lord Marshall.
Great list….and where do you see ads like these today? Everything is cut so short….and that Turkish airline commercial just grabs your heart. Wonderful list…..thanks!
Showing my age, Matthew.. but still love this CO TV commercial from 1980s…
Brings a smile .
Sadly, wouldn’t ‘fly’ in today’s politically charged culture wars…..
When it might have even been ‘enjoyable’ to step aboard an airliner…..
and expect service & civilized seat mates .,,,,
They are good.
But this United commercial from 1989:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9tMbDnBN8M
rings loudly, quite loudly, 35 years later.
Important and relevant .
My all time favorite ad…period. Always brings tears to my eyes. But I to laugh when I think about all ways Ben and his company could be communicating THESE days!
All United ads which were cartoons (like Matthew’s choice for #1) are divine. Nothing can beat the combination of Robert Redford/Gene Hackman as narrator, the cartoon graphics, and “Rhapsody in Blue” as the music.
Awesomian thank you.
The Air France ones are Elegant as only the French or Italians can do . Let’s see an Italian one .
Okay, I admit your #1 ad is also my #1 but my #2 should be yours as well. It’s an absolute classic. https://youtu.be/mU2rpcAABbA?si=
For those of us old enough to clearly remember the horror of 9/11, there’s this commercial from American Airlines that was launched shortly afterwards. As an immigrant to this great country, this commercial never fails to make me emotional and so grateful for the freedoms we have.
Very poignant..,, Hard to believe it’s a sad, almost laughing stock these days,…. My how it has ‘descended’,…
Alitalia will always have the best commercials.
More style over substance but I always loved this one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4yI2rhTZ2U
Korean Air commercials are pretty good in general (at least prior to the KPop takeover)
America West “Mosh Pit”, Alaska “Sky High Airlines” PSA “Oh, I see you have a Reservation!” Brannif “Air Strip” Hughes Air West “Yes!”
AC commercials when they had 320s parked in driveways and you could click the alarm … this was the launch of the flight passes.
AS safety dance was good.
The AF love is in the air should have made the list. I think it’s the best commercial and safety video that AF had produced.
I also wish the simply British BA safety video came back versus the current one. Represents Britain of today better.
Side note. With AS 787s coming. I would assume they would need to do a safety video. I hope they do a good one like VX did….they certainly can and have.
No new commentary today. I look forward to reading what Kyle has to say on Sundays. Love Matthew’s insights, but also look forward to the Sunday Kyle commentary. Maybe because it’s Father’s Day?
Kyle is off today. He’ll be back next Sunday.
Here’s a good one for Pan Am starring Joan Crawford in the good days of regulation.
Never liked that Etihad pic with Nicole Kidman’s ‘disrespectful’ pose of her high heel squarely on a seat, where people place their bums…. And yet we think it’s ‘crude’ to place one’s shoes/feet on a bulkhead or seat back ?
I suppose with the revenue collects from the Apartments and/or Residences they can afford to re-upholster the seat on a ‘turn’ trip ! And besides, I guess I must be jealous/envious of the privileges of the ultra-wealthy/famous ! .,lol
“Skip the Stampede. Fly AirTran Airways” aired long before the FL/WN hook-up. It’s really well done, funny too. Check it out on YouTube.com — Here’s the link and be sure not to mistake it for a Chick-Fil-A ad – Cows & all.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6DdDlPT4Uc
The ad with Lionel Messi and Kobe Bryant (may he RIP) on Turkish Airlines with a boy was also nice (it was around 2013 ish).
I liked that one too!
Sunday without Kyle. I hope all’s well with him and his family.