After (arguably) the worst year in aviation history, British Airways has launched a new advertising campaign, called “You make us fly.” This is British Airways’ first TV advertisement since early 2019, and it will start airing today.
You can watch the advertisement here:
And you can watch a behind the scenes video about the filming of this here:
Here’s how British Airways describes the ad:
The campaign features the airline’s own people, all of whom volunteered to feature in the advert that has been designed to have an uplifting feeling and remind customers that they are at the heart of British Airways. The ad showcases the airline’s staff proudly making their way back to work with a very British sense of urgency, to do what they love most, caring for customers.
British Airways CEO Sean Doyle said the following about the ad:
“There is a sense of huge anticipation from colleagues across the airline who are preparing to return to work after a very difficult year. The story illustrates the pride that our people tell me they’re feeling at the thought of seeing our planes in the sky once again and having the opportunity to welcome and serve our customers, to reunite them with their friends and relatives. The excitement is palpable.”
The ad prominently features 777 captain Helen Wetton, who said the following:
“I am tremendously proud to have been involved in creating this advert with British Airways. I played my own role as a female Captain who springs out of bed and races to get to work. I am so excited to get back to doing what I love and flying our customers around the world again, when the time is right.”
British Airways has done a phenomenal job over the years with advertising, doing a great job playing up the sophistication and Britishness of the airline (though I’d argue the former is questionable). This ad is also really well done, in my opinion.
Now, I’m not sure pre-coronavirus that I got the impression that the average British Airways employee loves their passengers so much that it’s their first thought in the morning and the reason they get out of bed, but maybe coronavirus has changed things. 😉
Bottom line
British Airways has released a cute new TV ad (the first in over two years), called “You make us fly.” It features British Airways staff showing their excitement getting back to work and serving customers.
It’s an adorable ad — I’m not sure I buy the message, but it is well done, and the employees did an excellent job.
What do you make of British Airways’ new TV ad?
Ben, Ben, Ben, dear blinkered Ben, I don’t think you have any idea of the BA ad that’s playing on UK television. It’s quite possibly the worst ever BA advert. Amateur, portraying a crew rushing for a flight (are they running all late?), sure there’s a PC nod to a female pilot, with a masked BA hostie (presumably a smile we cannot see) greeting a seated adult and child in a near empty aircraft. Totally...
Ben, Ben, Ben, dear blinkered Ben, I don’t think you have any idea of the BA ad that’s playing on UK television. It’s quite possibly the worst ever BA advert. Amateur, portraying a crew rushing for a flight (are they running all late?), sure there’s a PC nod to a female pilot, with a masked BA hostie (presumably a smile we cannot see) greeting a seated adult and child in a near empty aircraft. Totally ridiculous. Inspires no confidence, rekindles no loyalty. The ad agency needs to be sacked.
Awwww, this made me nostalgic. In the same way that Lufthansa makes you hum, Lucky, BA makes my heart warm up, especially that music. I've flown dozens of flights with them so I'm biased for sure.
Gary McCartan, I don't judge the capabilities of the lady pilots. I presume BA has high standards for all its flight crew.
According to Statista (not sure how reliable that is), lady pilots were less than 6% of the total in BA last year. That's for all pilots - I imagine the figure for lady captains is lower still.
@Tom Cobbley
How true it is, unfortunately! As a glorified LCC masquerading as a full-service carrier, BA cannot call upon anything of substance for its marketing campaigns. Hence the reliance on 'schmaltz' for the past two decades. From a glamorous airline I used to dream about flying as a kid in the 80s to an active policy of avoidance at all costs (in favour of Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways), how the so-called "world's favourite airline" has fallen.
That is so cynical! BA have many women pilots - and all very good at their jobs
Of course they use a lady pilot to pacify the woke crowd. I've never experienced one on BA.
Ccome on BA its 2021 not 1991 get rid of that dreary Flower Duet music. Something more up beat. You have been relying on your 90s reputation for far too long.
What a great advert! Makes me proud to fly with BA and enjoy their new team spirit. Well done guys!
You WILL enjoy your time with us............... provided you do it our way!
I'm not surprised they all want to go to work on the salaries they receive while the cost cutting is in the cabin. Hard product and especially the soft one.
Reminded me of Lion Air: We make people fly.
Interesting that BA is reviving the Flower Duet from Léo Delibes's opera Lakmé - BA originally used it over 30 years ago with Malcolm McLaren's take on the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yxbgm9Bmkzw
Tom Cobbley, above, hit the nail on the head - high on schmaltz, thought= I think the 1989 ad was pretty clever.
US Airways used the "You make us fly" tagline after their merger with American Wests in the mid 2000s.
Amusing to see the Virgin aircraft in the background of the 2nd video... the making of the advertisement.
BA ads are always high on schmalz, low on actual promise. I’m actually a fan of BA and (used to) fly BA a lot. But this ad leaves me cold.
British Airways - You make us sick.
I thought they all were good ads. Classy, in a British sort of way. And it doesn’t appear to make any obvious promises we all know they won’t keep.
All in all a good job by the BA marketing team.
That line sounds a bit too close to "you force us to fly"- because otherwise we couldn't be bothered...
Which sounds about right for BA.
Some airlines should say "Make us fly you (we're happier to just have your money)."