For the third year in a row, Turkish Airlines released a beautiful Super Bowl ad. Its 2020 ad highlights the joy of traveling for the first time, especially later in life.
The ad begins by reminding us that man first reached the moon in 1969, yet billions have not stepped onboard an aircraft more than 50 years later.
Three unidentified travelers are shown packing their bags then boarding what looks like a space station but is actually just Istanbul’s new international airport. They board their aircraft and takeoff, leaning back in their business class seats, in a sequence reminiscence of a space shuttle launch.
Then we see pictures of the world…beautiful scenes from around the world. The ad concludes with a reminder that Turkish Airlines flies to more countries in the world than any other airline. Again, Turkey as a destination is downplayed in favor of showcasing the reach of Turkish Airlines. A narrator utters:
Today we stand before an historic event. No words can describe this. Earth is here. Waiting to be reached.
Here’s a behind the scenes look, which is just as interesting:
Three Americans were used who had never stepped foot onboard an airplane. All blamed familial obligations (children) that prohibited them from traveling. Turkish Airlines apparently had a casting call for this ad and these three were among many who tried out.
A couple of observations from my American perspective that I found interesting.
The ad begins by stating “humanity” reached the moon in 1969. While not surprising Turkish wouldn’t discuss the U.S. – Soviet space race, I view that event more as a political victory than an achievement for humanity. Then again, Neil Armstrong did say, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Second, a pictured passport is generic. I suppose that makes sense for an international audience if Turkish re-uses this ad around the world, but I would have thought they would have shown U.S. passports if they were trying to appeal to an American audience who does not usually travel.
CONCLUSION
I enjoyed this ad, once again. It makes me happy I’m flying Turkish Airlines this week. Stay tuned…
What did you think of the Turkish Airlines Super Bowl ad?
> Review: Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Business Class Los Angeles to Istanbul
> Review: Turkish Airlines 777-300ER Economy Class from Istanbul to Los Angeles
The behind the scenes look was arguably better than the actual ad! Thanks for sharing
I do not feel we blamed the lack of travel on our children. Simply that we are all raising families and haven’t yet had the opportunity or courage to pull the funds together, leave our jobs, or our children to explore for weeks at a time 3rd world countries. Turkish did an extraordinary thing for us. If it was not for them I would have never until maybe my 50’s have gotten the opportunity to up and leave and be apart of something so surreal. Working for an employer that does not grant vacation time, living enough to get by but no extra funds and being the main supporter makes these kinds of excursion difficult and also more meaningful. The passports are very real. All of our US Passports look like the one in footage. These are very new passports obtained right before the trip. Thank you for the article and sharing this 🙂
The 3 guys in the ad looked like typical frequent flyers; then it transpires, from the background, they’ve never been anywhere. The story is interesting but without the background, the ad would be a bit of a yawn. But not nearly as dull as that bizarre game Americans call football: clad in extraordinary padding and standing around for most of the game, and even when something happens, rarely via the foot. Weird stuff.
Plus they neglected to tell the boss “ we’re not in Kansas”
Jubilation of travel will begin again when foreign airlines are once again allowed to have invited guests on the flight deck at pilots discretion, not onerous FAA, CAA, EU and ICOA rules. Pilots discretion. Then the people will be jubilant!
Dictatorships and other repressive regimes, and their lackeys like say a national airline, can be quite good with the propaganda. “July 15 Heroes of Democracy Lounge” anyone?