The Best Airline Ad Campaigns: Here Are My Favorites From Over The Years

I’ve written in the past about the best airline boarding music and the best airline safety videos. Continuing with the theme of enjoying airline-related things at home, today I want to share some of my favorite airline ads that were produced in the past 25 or so years.

I’m a huge fan of both airlines and marketing, so when you combine the two, I enjoy airline ads more than others. It’s hard to rank these ads since they’re all so different, but below are some of my favorites (and then in the comments section, I’d love to hear which ads OMAAT readers like most, ideally with links to them).

Jet2’s “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday” campaign

The goal of an airline ad campaign is to create brand awareness, and I don’t think anything in the past decade has achieved that quite like Jet2’s “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday” campaign.

I can’t imagine Jet2 was expecting this to blow up as much as it did, but the “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday” jingle was for a while one of the biggest trends on social media. So while I can’t say that it personally appeals that much to me, I can’t help but give the airline huge credit for this success.

Etihad’s “Flying Reimagined” campaign

Ahhh, remember the time when Etihad was super aspirational and lighting money on fire, rather than trying to be more fiscally responsible? Yes, it was a lovely few years. The below ad featuring Nicole Kidman is just so whimsical and fun to watch, and really was the start of Etihad (briefly) being an ultra-luxurious carrier. On the plus side, Etihad is once again headed in the right direction and offers great inflight service, and the airline has even brought back its Airbus A380s.

American Airlines’ post-9/11 ad campaign

You’re probably surprised I’m including an American Airlines ad on this list, but the company’s post 9/11 ad campaign was phenomenal, with the following inspirational tagline that rang true at the time:

“We are an airline. But it’s become clear we are more.”

Goodness, how far American has fallen when it comes to its mission…

United Airlines’ “It’s Time to Fly” campaign

United Airlines has done a stellar job with its ad campaigns over the years, and I have a hard time picking just one favorite. I’d say the animated ads that were part of United’s “It’s Time to Fly” campaign in the 2000s were pretty special, and among my favorites. They tell such a story, without even saying a word.

And of course how can anyone mention United marketing without bringing up “Rhapsody in Blue?”

United’s post-9/11 “We Are United” ad campaign was also pretty great, much like American’s.

And United’s early 1980s marketing was pretty awesome as well, in an era where so much airline marketing was just downright sexist. Okay, but that was more than 25 years ago, so ignore it… but I couldn’t help but share.

British Airways’ “To Fly, To Serve” campaign

One aspect of British Airways that I’ve long loved is the advertising. Of British Airways’ ads, the below one that recounts the advancements in aviation is one of my favorites.

Also, while the below doesn’t qualify as a traditional advertisement, British Airways’ “Visit Mum” campaign is one of the most touching five minute videos I’ve ever seen. If it doesn’t make you cry, I question whether you’re human.

KLM’s “100 Years of Progress” campaign

To celebrate its 100th birthday, KLM released an incredible ad showcasing the progress of aviation since the company’s founding. Not only do I love the message in general, but the production quality is flawless, given the extent to which uniforms and aircraft over the years are featured.

Air France’s “France is in the Air” campaign

Back in 2014, Air France unveiled its “France Is In The Air” campaign, which is just so catchy and captivating and French. I really think Air France is due for another ad campaign that captures the magic of France, and ties that in to the airline, especially with how much the carrier has evolved in recent years.

Singapore Airlines’ “The Lengths We Go” campaign

Singapore Airlines is such an iconic brand, and the airline has had so many memorable ad campaigns over the years. My favorite is the 2013 “The Lengths We Go” campaign. The music, the imagery… wow!

I’ve gotta say, though, the carrier’s 2023 “Welcome to World Class” campaign is pretty extraordinary as well.

Turkish Airlines’ “Widen Your World” campaign

Let’s be honest — Morgan Freeman could read the ingredients list of a Fiber One bar and I’d be into it. When you combine Turkish Airlines with Morgan Freeman, you get magic.

While not as widely relatable, avgeeks will appreciate the below Turkish Airlines ad, featuring kids that are as excited about airplanes as I am. These kids are basically me in Miami (since I live under the approach path for MIA), except I don’t have to build a runway.

Qantas’ “Feels Like Home” campaign

While this ad is from before the pandemic, I imagine that for many people this felt especially relevant again during the pandemic, especially with Australia’s border policies at the time. I know many Australians feel like they’re at home the second they step on a Qantas flight in another country, and this ad captures that perfectly, along with the joy of reuniting with loved ones.

Emirates’ Jennifer Aniston campaign

There’s not a more fun way to fly than in Emirates’ A380 first class. Emirates’ ad from several years ago that stars Jennifer Aniston sums up what makes it so incredible.

While objectively pretty cringeworthy, I also love how catchy Emirates’ “I Want To Fly The World” ad is, which debuted during the pandemic.

And let’s not forget the unbelievable stunt that Emirates pulled off, where a stuntwoman dressed as a flight attendant climbed to the top of the Burj Khalifa to hold some signs.

Lufthansa’s “Fanhansa” campaign

While not as sentimental as some of the other ads, you have to give Lufthansa credit for its humorous “Fanhansa” ads. In this particular ad, you have two Brits who end up being booked on Lufthansa, and it’s funny to see the difference between what they’re expecting from the Germans and what they actually experience.

Lufthansa had an ad with a similar message for the India market, which was also hilarious.

Alaska Airlines’ “Safety Dance” campaign

Alaska Airlines deserves credit for making pandemic restrictions interesting, with its incredibly catchy safety dance. I can’t think of any other airline that made mask wearing and threatening to ban someone from flying with the airline so fun to watch, but Alaska pulled it off.

And for those of us industry geeks, arguably the oneworld alliance’s version of the safety dance was even more fun, with leaders from several airlines participating. However, I’m not sure some people (including the CEO of Alaska Airlines!) got the memo about the whole point of the video, which was to wear a mask.

WestJet’s “Christmas Miracle” campaign

WestJet does an amazing job with its marketing, as the airline has both amazing April Fools’ and Christmas Miracle videos. Nothing can compete with WestJet’s real-time giving Christmas Miracle video, where the airline quite literally bought gifts for passengers while they were on the flight, and the gifts showed up at baggage claim. If this doesn’t cheer you up, I don’t know what will.

SWISS’ “The People Behind SWISS” campaign

While this is more of a brand movie than a traditional ad, fellow avgeeks will appreciate the below video from SWISS, which showcases just how much goes into airline operations. The music is pretty great as well.

Bottom line

I think the above is a pretty good sampling of some of my favorite airline ads. From inspirational post-9/11 ads, to ads showcasing the wonder of aviation, to ads focused on specific aspects of airline products, there are quite a few to choose from.

What are your favorite airline ads?