This Alaska Airlines commercial is brilliant! In a historical sense, it demonstrates the paradigm shift in both the airline product and passenger expectations in the airline industry over the last 25 years. The advert pokes fun at the concept of lowering the costs of travel by suggesting that one day, in the future, airlines may even have the mordacity to charge for use of the in-flight lavatory. Interestingly, Alaska’s idea of cost cutting with meals is to compromise on the quality rather than eliminate them completely.
“Many airlines offer reduced rate fares. Unfortunately that’s not all they’ve reduced. It makes you wonder… what’s next?”
Ironically, Alaska’s ‘unrealistic’ assumption that an airline would be greedy enough to charge for in-flight lavatory facilities has come true – with Ryanair taking out the honorary award for cheapness. Although Boeing rejected Ryanair’s claims for coin-operated toilets citing safety concerns, I wouldn’t be surprised if Boeing dismissed the concept to preserve what’s left of any dignity in the industry. Having said that, I’m still not sure than Ryanair’s proposal, and even their submission to Boeing, wasn’t done simply for the sake of more cheap media attention.
I do often wonder how a 1980′s passenger would react to what’s become of the modern-day airline experience. I’m wondering if future Marty will look back on this post and laugh that I was naive enough to think it wouldn’t one day happen.
Thanks to David from AirlineReporter.com for bringing this classic advert to my attention.
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