And some modern commercials, from Southwest

1 comment August 26th, 2009

How much have times changed? Now, instead of a commercial showing off hostesses in hot pants, Southwest Airlines is highlighting its lack of bag fees. As always, Southwest’s commercials are top notch. I particularly like the spot that’s been on local tv a lot, showing a baggage handler driving around while the narrator describes how other airlines “hate your bag”. I assume the baggage handler is an actual Southwest employee - he’s great!

I did some kicking around on Youtube and found a couple more ads from the “It’s On” campaign:

and

Finally, I also found this “behind the scenes” video by Southwest:

Great campaign. But I wonder, does Southwest’s “bags fly free” policy make  you more likely to use them? I usually don’t fly with checked baggage, opting for shorter trips where carry-ons suffice. So in that case, no, it doesn’t affect me. I do really like Southwest, but until they offer Milwaukee-LaGuardia flights, I’ll take other options to get to NYC. Here are some price comparisons for a weekend jaunt to New York in early December:

• Southwest, Midway to LGA - $219.20, including two bags
• Delta, Midway to LGA - $209.20, $224.20 for one bag, $249.20 for two bags
• United, O’Hare to LGA - $209.20, $224.20 for one bag, $249.20 for two bags
• American, O’Hare to LGA - $209.20, $229.20 for one bag, $259.20 for two bags
• AirTran or Midwest, Milwaukee to LGA - $217.70, $232.70 for one bag, $257.70 for two bags

If I was going without bags, I’d choose between the O’Hare and Milwaukee options, depending on if I needed to park. If I was lugging a bag, I might consider Southwest, but a $5 to $15 savings doesn’t seem worth it to go to Midway. Now, if I had kids, it might be a different story.

Personally, I tend to choose airline by price, convenience and amenites. If all things are relatively equal, I’ll choose AirTran out of Milwaukee since I am a rewards members there, find it an easier airport to travel in and the parking is cheaper. But if Southwest ever came to Rockford…

I don’t mind baggage fees. All it is is airlines raising fees more for those who bring heavier loads versus just jacking up the base fare for everyone in light of higher fuel costs. I’d rather have the choice of paying more for bags than paying more regardless. If baggage fees disappeared, you’d see it in the base fare  (notice how Southwerst’s base fare is higher than others … it’s a great deal if  you have bags, not as much if you don’t).

What about you? What affect do baggage fees have on your travel choices?

Old-school airline commercials

2 comments August 26th, 2009

Remember a time when flight attendants were called “stewardesses” or “hostesses” and wore revealing skirts (and sometimes hot pants?). Remember when you could smoke on a plane? Remember when fancy food was served on china (and flights were really expensive and generally for business travelers only)?

I don’t, though I did see a scene on “Mad Men” from that era. But the fine folks at Mental Floss have compiled a list of eight retro airline commercials that show, well, a different time.

My favorite is the Eastern Airlines one (and not just because I fondly remember the airline), with “dese guys” baggage handlers:

Anyone fly back in the era shown in these commercials? Was it really like they advertized? Was flying better then or now? My take is that it’s more affordable now, and thus the fancy amenties are gone. Airlines target families, not just business travelers (and business travelers are guided by corporate to choose based on cost more than … what is that in one commercial … lobster?).

Also, flight attendents are treated with more respect. Man, Don Draper would hate it.