Last night’s Saturday Night Live had a segment that aviation geeks may enjoy…
In this post:
SNL creates parody ad for Alaska Airlines
On Saturday, January 20, 2024, SNL had a roughly 2min20sec video making fun of Alaska Airlines, following the carrier’s Boeing 737 MAX 9 incident a couple of weeks back. This comes is in the form of an ad, whereby Alaska “employees” (played by Jacob Elordi, Kenan Thompson, and Heidi Gardner) share the company’s new slogan, which is “Alaska Airlines: You didn’t die, and you got a cool story.”
Among other things, the ad includes the following tidbits:
- “On other airlines you can watch movies, but on Alaska, you’re in the movie”
- “If you think Alaska the state is cold, just wait till our plane’s roof rips off”
- “You know those bolts that, like, hold the plane together? We’re gonna go ahead and tighten some of those”
- “For extra precaution, we’ll now be taking off with the inflatable slide already deployed”
- “People ask me where the emergency exits are, and I’m like there, there, and in 10 minutes, probably there”
That was mostly pretty funny
Humor is highly subjective, and not everyone is going to have the same take. Of course SNL roasts just about everyone, but I almost feel bad for Alaska here, since really this should be an “ad” for Boeing rather than any airline.
Anyway, as far as the segment overall goes, at first I didn’t think it was that funny. The first 45 seconds are a bit much, especially since this incident was so close to having a very different outcome, as it was a miracle that some of the few empty seats on the plane just happened to be right where the fuselage ripped open.
But the rest of the segment is really funny, and I chuckled several times.
Bottom line
Saturday Night Live has targeted many airlines over the years, and the latest target is Alaska Airlines, following the recent incident involving a 737 MAX. If you’re an aviation geek, the clip is definitely worth watching.
What do you make of this SNL parody of Alaska Airlines?
It was funny but pretty brutal. I guess with how terrible SNL has become, they figured they didn't have much to lose.
Great skit....... I'm an AS 100K and LMAO more than a couple times!! Seriously, AS needs to be a little more serious about warning lights, etc. In the end BA is the primary culprit along with their sub Spirit Aero Systems in the totally F-uped quality issue(s) here!! Get ready BA to pay up to both AS and UA for all of the "inconvenience" you caused them and their customers!! $$$$$
Very funny. Loved the last line: "Alaska. Still better than Spirit"
And Alaska does have some responsibility for this. Reminds me of the AirAsia crash some years ago. That plane also had multiple warnings, but maintenance just reset the computer to get rid of the warning, instead of replacing the part that ultimately caused the fatal accident. The crash analysis concluded that careful inspection should have spotted the damaged part...
It was a really hilarious segment on SNL, well put together! It's also kind of ironic that Alaska decided to ditch all these Virgin America A320s a few years back and ordered the 737 Max instead. I would not be surprised if there was a bit of remorse amongst the management.
I doubt that there is remorse. Of course they wish this hadn't happened, but they made the best decision based on the economics they were offered.
Right now what AS needs is some clarity from Boeing and the FAA. If there is a systematic problem with the plug door or some other issue, then announce a long term grounding. If there isn't, get the planes flying again. It's not fair to the airlines and traveling...
I doubt that there is remorse. Of course they wish this hadn't happened, but they made the best decision based on the economics they were offered.
Right now what AS needs is some clarity from Boeing and the FAA. If there is a systematic problem with the plug door or some other issue, then announce a long term grounding. If there isn't, get the planes flying again. It's not fair to the airlines and traveling public to drag this out for no good reason and they have enough information to decide if it will be long term or not
People forget that Alaska Airlines made a conscious decision years ago to become an all-Boeing Airline. As such, they have tied their reputation to Boeing, for better or worse. It looks like they may have made the wrong decision.
At this stage, it will be difficult for Alaska (like Southwest or Ryan Air) to reverse themselves. Airbus has such a superior product in the 320 family. I suspect that Alaska, flying out of Seattle,...
People forget that Alaska Airlines made a conscious decision years ago to become an all-Boeing Airline. As such, they have tied their reputation to Boeing, for better or worse. It looks like they may have made the wrong decision.
At this stage, it will be difficult for Alaska (like Southwest or Ryan Air) to reverse themselves. Airbus has such a superior product in the 320 family. I suspect that Alaska, flying out of Seattle, did not want to lose Boeing's travel business by flying the Airbus.
As Alaska grows, Boeing will make up an increasingly smaller share of Alaska's revenue. What Alaska does will Hawaiian Air's Airbuses will be insightful.
It *was* unfair to Alaska. And also incredibly funny. And we know SNL pulls no punches with anyone. They do need to take a shot at Boeing as well, but Alaska was a far easier target.
lol av geek
So, SNL which is ultimately owned by Comcast (worth US$81 Billion in 2022) spoofs Alaska Airlines (worth 'just' US$3 Billion in 2022) instead of the real culprit Boeing (worth US$130 Billion)....funny how these really huge sprawling corporations stick together and always gang up on the smaller players and ultimately we, the public..
Okay, maybe a little funny but totally inappropriate since the problem is with Boeing (this plane was delivered brand new in October 2023 so Alaska technicians didn't have any responsibility). The parody's should have been with Boeing and rightfully so, since all they try to do is cut costs, have established "too cozy" a relationship with FAA inspectors and this whole idea of "self policing" is ridiculous.
The snipes about life raft deploying in...
Okay, maybe a little funny but totally inappropriate since the problem is with Boeing (this plane was delivered brand new in October 2023 so Alaska technicians didn't have any responsibility). The parody's should have been with Boeing and rightfully so, since all they try to do is cut costs, have established "too cozy" a relationship with FAA inspectors and this whole idea of "self policing" is ridiculous.
The snipes about life raft deploying in flight was NOT even an Alaska Airlines incident and the snipe about shutting of engines midflight was also outrageous given that the flight crew managed the incident with full professionalism and safety.
I hope that the DOD is far stricter with Boeing on quality and process.
As a frequent TATL traveler I expect equipment which has a pressurization problem not be simply restored to service. This aircraft displayed a pressurization warning twice leading up to the incident. NOT GOOD. If the President of the US were to be flown they would use other equipment. My life is IMHO just as worthy.
Decades ago I twice developed crushing head pain while landing on domestic flights at BRI, a pilot sitting next...
As a frequent TATL traveler I expect equipment which has a pressurization problem not be simply restored to service. This aircraft displayed a pressurization warning twice leading up to the incident. NOT GOOD. If the President of the US were to be flown they would use other equipment. My life is IMHO just as worthy.
Decades ago I twice developed crushing head pain while landing on domestic flights at BRI, a pilot sitting next to me surmised the equipment wasn't pressurized correctly. I began using trains rather than certain airlines in Italy.
@Donato The President also drives in an armored car called the beast and has a minimum of 10 secret service agents protecting him when he moves. The level of safety for the world's most powerful person is different than for you and I.
Brian W, you do have a point. I just meant to point out that based on multiple pressurization issues there is blame on the airline as well as BA.
I will refer back to my post. I stated that IMHO my life is just as worthy. Sadly, the airline industry might no think the same way.
They operate based on standards set by Boeing. That fault was not one that required the aircraft to be removed from operation. They removed it from ETOPS operations and apparently even that wasn't required.
I thought it was very funny. I laughed out loud on various parts.
I am just wondering when are they going to extend Alaska Companion Fare Certificate.
If i was Alaska airline I would probably be using that video as evidence in the upcoming lawsuit against Boeing...funny though, and that comes from a 10+year 75k/100k about to board AS853 SEA-HNL
Hilarious.
They should spoof Boeing that apparently thinks job requirements have nothing to do with one's prior job experience, skills, education and aptitude.
Oh FFS stop regurgitating Faux News crap.
Oh my, do you really think SNL is a news source? SNL are no more a news source than Fox or Newsmax. It's comedy, satire, and friggin' funny for anyone who was ever a frequent flyer; all have some stories to tell, but none - thankfully - like this one. And, yes, the underlying problem is Boeing. Besides, I love the final reference to Spirit which I absolutely avoid.
The best part was the end - “Still better than Spirit”
According to P.T. Barnum, no such thing as bad publicity. Sometimes you just have to run with it.
If someone can figure out how to turn this into higher patronage, revenue, and/or stock price for Alaska, then they deserve to be in leadership, as that's very unlikely to happen.
Spirit catching strays!