Recently, there was a viral tweet that posed an interesting question.
Why aren’t there any advertisements on overhead bins on
airplanes?
I say, why not!?!
Advertising is already a prevalent part of our lives and the
overhead bin represents unused space. Frankly, it is ripe to be used.
Think about the possibilities. Even the National Basketball
Association sells ads on its jerseys now.
I’m willing to bet that numerous
travel related companies would line up falling over each other to advertise in
that space. How about a luggage company like a Samsonite, or even an online
travel agency? The choices are endless.
You could even advertise a restaurant or a hotel or a landmark
in a destination city that plane is scheduled to land in. A great place to eat could surely
spark conversation.
Heck, we already have flight attendants hawking co-branded credit
cards. So what would be the difference?
Plus, European airlines have done it.
Not only could the advertising be another revenue generator for
airlines but maybe, just maybe, it could be used to help keep fares down. Strike
that. Knowing the way the airlines operate might be asking for too much. Sorry,
I just suffered a bout of wishful thinking.
But seriously, think about how many times people go into their carry-on bag during a flight. How many times do people pop open the lid to that
space? How many times do passengers need to retrieve something? Maybe the
advertising could be ubiquitous enough or large enough to put a subliminal
thought in somebody’s head.
Because there it would be, right in somebodies face.
It would have to be tasteful, of course. I mean, as much as you
want to join the mile high club, you can’t have advertisements for condoms or
something like that.
And, for instance, if I’m American Airlines, I sure as heck am
not taking an advertisement for Delta Vacations or another competitor.
There will be obstacles to overcome, and certainly there will be
some backlash.
But this is an idea worth exploring.
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