Virgin America Introduces "Blah Airlines" Advert

Independence76 · Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:40 pm

Virgin America yesterday posted quite possibly the longest advertisement ever produced: 5 hours and 45 minutes of the most boring flight imaginable between EWR and SFO.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsMZRl71Zo4

Honestly, I find this great. The dedication into producing this had to be big.

Mock website also is up:

http://www.blahairlines.com/

[Edited 2014-10-16 13:42:40]

Coal · Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:52 pm

Wow! That was really boring! Glad I am flying VX LAX-FLL in Nov.

Cheers
Coal

SLCSFOPDX · Thu Oct 16, 2014 9:00 pm

VX obviously took a personal shot to its rival at SFO, UA for doing it a EWR-SFO flight.

Kleiner · Thu Oct 16, 2014 9:10 pm

You should try calling the phone number, it's hilarious!

SLCSFOPDX · Thu Oct 16, 2014 9:14 pm

Quoting Kleiner (Reply 3):

Their entire website and phone options are worth checking out!

CdnCactus · Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:10 pm

Hilarious, until you realize it's not that far from what you really get nowadays with some carriers.

PlanesNTrains · Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:15 pm

LOLOL Reminds me of the old Alaska Airlines spoof website.

My favorite moment so far: 4:45:00-4:50:00 ish. Peanut Hunger Strike.

-Dave

PlanesNTrains · Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:44 pm

And my worst nightmare begins at 5:32:14. haha

-Dave

hiflyeras · Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:49 pm

Yeah, I think AS did this first with their SkyHigh Airlines spoof but kudos to VX for taking it further. Surprised the website still works!!
http://www.skyhighairlines.com

Armodeen · Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:36 pm

Clearly a huge amount of effort went into this! Everything works, the facebook page, website, twitter, everything!

Really very well done VX

odysseus9001 · Thu Oct 16, 2014 11:55 pm

Even the chat room works!!

UA444 · Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:16 am

LOL, that is awesome! They even managed to get that hideous CO seat fabric pattern in the video, as well. Well done, VX.

RyanairGuru · Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:24 am

Quoting SLCSFOPDX (Reply 2):
VX obviously took a personal shot to its rival at SFO, UA for doing it a EWR-SFO flight.

The seat covers that have a pattern very similar to the ex-CO seats is a bit of a giveaway

I got a good laugh out of the Beige and Executive Beige credit cards. Satire, but close to the bone!

[Edited 2014-10-16 19:36:58]

ben175 · Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:33 am

This is hilarious! I always fly VX when traveling throughout the USA.

GSPSPOT · Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:58 am

Sadly points out the state of domestic US air travel overall. SO glad that VX is expanding at its new home in DAL!

vatveng · Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:08 am

The Facebook page is a hoot. And the people posting are getting into the blah act.

vatveng · Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:12 am

Quoting SLCSFOPDX (Reply 4):
Their entire website and phone options are worth checking out!

And now I know the nutrition information of unsalted peanuts

Yflyer · Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:36 am

But BLAH appears to have the A340 in their fleet, from the looks of their home page. So as an a.nutter I'd fly with BL (Is that their IATA code?) just for that instead of yet another A320 on VX.

N505fx · Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:48 am

The website is great...looks much better than the current Continental...um...United web site

DocLightning · Fri Oct 17, 2014 4:50 am

Quoting Yflyer (Reply 17):

But BLAH appears to have the A340 in their fleet, from the looks of their home page. So as an a.nutter I'd fly with BL (Is that their IATA code?) just for that instead of yet another A320 on VX.

Yes, and most airlines do use their newest widebody as their airplane image in publicity. UA rarely uses publicity showing its narrowbodies. Yet on most flights under 8 hours, you'll be on a narrowbody.

This is a good dig at UA. UA's onboard product is so ridiculously inconsistent and inferior that it really is begging to get laughed at. Having said that, even with VX's PTVs, it's not as if a six hour VX flight is a scintillating experience. A cage with a TV may be better than a cage with no TV, but it's still a cage.

winsox28 · Fri Oct 17, 2014 11:48 am

Quoting GSPSPOT (Reply 14):
Sadly points out the state of domestic US air travel overall.

Should have filmed it on an R J .........

fca767 · Fri Oct 17, 2014 1:20 pm

Who's airliners.net photo of the airfrance a340 is on the front cover ?

gregarious119 · Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:31 pm

Quoting winsox28 (Reply 20):
Should have filmed it on an R J .........

Except you don't get that exhilarating middle seat experience on an RJ. No where to go...

JU068 · Fri Oct 17, 2014 2:53 pm

I actually find it hilarious how they have a fax number! It kind of makes them look archaic, outdated... which I guess was the point.

ryanrap1 · Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:22 pm

Its really cool! Just a curious question; what was the purpose in creating this?

wingman · Fri Oct 17, 2014 3:30 pm

I have again taken back to back flights on both airlines in coach and the difference in the entire experience from beginning to end is practically unimaginable, it's like two carriers on two different planets.

If I could pinpoint any one factor outside of SFO T2 vs. T3 it would have to be the sheer number of septuagenarian Gestapo femmebots on United masquerading as flight "attendants". They just don't "attend" to anything except their own bloated sense of self importance and this pretend mission that World security rests exclusively in their hands.

In direct and immediate contrast to VX, they literally make me never want to fly again. I ask myself over and over again, Why are they here? Why do they wallow so in such grinding misery? Do they enjoy subjecting everyone around them to their misery? Is this how they behave around their great grandchildren?

Probably the funniest moment in both flights was the VX attendant telling me to raise my tray table for take off and I blurted out twice "I'm sorry, I'm sorry". She told me not to worry about it, just that it needed to be in the upright position. The guy next to me thought I was a nutter but it was just the pure fear that UA has conditioned in me.

Man, I hope someday VX flies to Des Moines and they show up in my company travel site. Until then all I can do is keep my valium refill updated and my metal jock strap clean.

lymanm · Fri Oct 17, 2014 4:24 pm

Quoting ryanrap1 (Reply 24):
Its really cool! Just a curious question; what was the purpose in creating this?

The fact that you're talking about it, enjoyed, and asking questions about it was why it was created. You are not alone: the social media impressions for this are already successful. Heck, even your question on this site was already viewed 600+ times!

pasu129 · Fri Oct 17, 2014 6:19 pm

Am I assuming correctly that the video is showing a 757 interior? I recall those paper blinds on 757 only...

DocLightning · Fri Oct 17, 2014 7:05 pm

Quoting GSPSPOT (Reply 14):
Sadly points out the state of domestic US air travel overall.

Not necessarily. Most DL aircraft have PTVs and all have WiFi. AA is rapidly working to fleet-wide PTV and wi-fi. WN has fleet-wide wi-fi. B6 has DirectTV (which I think is inferior). Only UA seems to be stuck in the last century in terms of their onboard domestic product.

United1 · Fri Oct 17, 2014 7:17 pm

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 28):
Not necessarily. Most DL aircraft have PTVs and all have WiFi. AA is rapidly working to fleet-wide PTV and wi-fi. WN has fleet-wide wi-fi. B6 has DirectTV (which I think is inferior). Only UA seems to be stuck in the last century in terms of their onboard domestic product.

Goes to show you that perception doesn't always match reality....

Most DL aircraft do not have PTVs only 200 or so do, AA and US combined have around 150 or so aircraft with in seat video, and UA actually has more aircraft with in seat video, just about 400 aircraft have AVOD or DirectTV, than DL, AA and US do combined....

dtw2hyd · Fri Oct 17, 2014 7:58 pm

Holy crap, even listed phone line works. You can get nutritional facts about both salted and unsalted peanuts.

lpdal · Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:25 pm

I think the problem with UA is that they don't incorporate humor into their branding. DL does this quite well while keeping a sense of professionalism, and AA is taking baby steps in the right direction. UA's new safety video was kind of funny, but you could still tell they're being way too serious. If UA incorporated some humor into their branding, maybe these Y- flights wouldn't be viewed in such a light.

I have to praise NK for their overly use of humor, because they can afford to do it.

-LPDAL

747d10 · Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:27 pm

I can't stop watching the video. And the website is sick.
I want the beige platinum card.
Holy smokes....this is awesome!

Tugger · Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:46 pm

Quoting 747d10 (Reply 32):
I want the beige platinum card.

Puh'leze! Beige, how limited, how asymptotic.
Anyone truly deserving of extraordinary BLAH treatment is on the invite only "Khaki Services" program! Khaki brings out the real BLAH experience to its fullest!

Tugg

N505fx · Sat Oct 18, 2014 9:42 pm

Quoting DocLightning (Reply 19):
UA rarely uses publicity showing its narrowbodie

Except for some ODD reason, the 737 not he 787-9 is the hero aircraft on their mobile app....makes no sense to me, except for the fact that the majority of their passengers will be made to suffer in the back of some 737 that doesn't have IFE or WiFi, or says it does but it is inop, or impossible to use.

N505fx · Sat Oct 18, 2014 9:55 pm

Quoting United1 (Reply 29):
Goes to show you that perception doesn't always match reality....

Except for PERCEPTION IS REALITY and unfortunately a lot of people have miserable experiences on UA's vastly inconsistent product. Why UA ever thought they should or could roll out 4 different Wifi systems and make the experience consistent for passengers is beyond me. Really, do aircraft that will probably never do more than 5% of their flying outside of gogo's reach need system with international capabilities? Its not like they are going to fly a 737 to SYD!!! 2 systems would have sufficed, but instead there are 4 (5 if you count the experience of the planes that say they have Wifi "beta" but it rarely ever works) - Then there is IFE - arguably the A320/A319 system is pretty darn good...if United could figure out how to educate passengers on how to use the app to stream it, train the flight attendants how to reset the system oh and to have figured out how to put power in the planes so those of us who travel for business and don't have all day to sit around and charge our devices could actually use the service!!!! Uniteds product is so schizophrenic and inconsistent right now, I hope others continue to take swipes at them until someone in Willis Tower or the BOD wakes up and takes notice.

mcdu · Sat Oct 18, 2014 10:10 pm

Quoting N505fx (Reply 34):
makes no sense to me, except for the fact that the majority of their passengers will be made to suffer in the back of some 737 that doesn't have IFE or WiFi, or says it does but it is inop, or impossible to use.

The IFE on WN is awesome in the back of a 737 I suppose? I have never experienced an inop wifi and I spend a lot of time on UA airplanes.

N505fx · Sat Oct 18, 2014 10:21 pm

Quoting Mcdu (Reply 36):

Quoting Mcdu (Reply 36):
I have never experienced an inop wifi and I spend a lot of time on UA airplanes.

The A320 is pretty reliable and there streaming content is good, the Thales system in the 737 is frustrating, at best, with its "out of range" error messages all of the time. At least Southwest's system hasn't said, for the last 6 months "Coming soon...streaming wifi...blah blah blah..." and all of the other over promises United has made...btw...I spend a lot of time on UA planes too - 67 segments between April 1 of this year and today.

UA444 · Sat Oct 18, 2014 10:58 pm

Quoting N505fx (Reply 35):
Its not like they are going to fly a 737 to SYD!!!

If Smisek could, he would. In a heartbeat.

WesternDC6B · Sat Oct 18, 2014 11:27 pm

Quoting JU068 (Reply 23):
I actually find it hilarious how they have a fax number! It kind of makes them look archaic, outdated... which I guess was the point.

I guess having a TELEX or a TWX address would have been pushing it. I wonder if they take Air Travel Cards? And, will they provide your company with ticket stock?

"Anyone truly deserving of extraordinary BLAH treatment is on the invite only "Khaki Services" program! Khaki brings out the real BLAH experience to its fullest!"

I mis-understood a Delta boarding announcement at SLC a few years ago. The gate agent was polite but informed me that Medallion passengers had priority. That very flight would carry me across the finish line to achieve Silver, so I said to her that I was Cardboard Medallion. She chuckled and said "Welcome aboard, sir!"

[Edited 2014-10-18 16:34:09]

[Edited 2014-10-18 16:38:25]

S75752 · Sat Oct 18, 2014 11:38 pm

Quoting United1 (Reply 29):
and UA actually has more aircraft with in seat video, just about 400 aircraft have AVOD or DirectTV, than DL, AA and US do combined....

Ehhhhh..... EHH... I'll save that debate for another time, I can't find my old post.

This video really was genius, and accurate really. It really reflects the core issues with UA's tcon fleet. Boring planes, power only in Y (the biggest, worst issue of all), shoddy wifi installation (when even present).

The painfully true part is that everyone, the little kid, the passenger next to, and the main character would have all had something to look at and not have to bother eachother on the VX flight: AVOD choice for Payment (without commercials!), or power to keep a device charged for video playback or wifi browsing (No, a device will NOT last that flight playing video + wifi on a flight that length without power available).

I would love for another airline or someone to make a video about BLAH airline's longhaul venture.... HKG-SFO. You know what that means!

mcdu · Sun Oct 19, 2014 3:21 am

The ad and the creepy mannequins reiterate that Virgin is struggling to compete. They are a high cost airline trying to masquerade as an LCC. They are worried about the competition and that is why they are using this type of advertisement. If they were doing well their product and service would speak for itself. Instead they waste a giant amount of money with this ridiculous concoction of nothing that doesn't do a very good job of selling Virgin. I would bet if shown to a group of non aviation conscious customers they would not have a clue that this was actually an ad.

Too bad Virgin can't sell themselves or showcase their product and route map.

http://business.time.com/2012/10/25/...ne-that-travelers-love-is-failing/
http://www.businessinsider.com/virgi...ica-6-hour-long-preroll-ad-2014-10

United1 · Sun Oct 19, 2014 3:33 am

Quoting N505fx (Reply 35):
Except for PERCEPTION IS REALITY and unfortunately a lot of people have miserable experiences on UA's vastly inconsistent product.

...but none of the US legacies have a consistent product....DL has what 12 different 757 configurations of which 2 have AVOD, a few more have overhead video and the rest have nothing. AA has AVOD on some of the fleet, overhead video on others and nothing on most. I'll give you that DL and AA have a fairly consistent WiFi product as they outsourced the entire system.... It's actually 3 different WiFi systems on UA as there are some contractual issues that prevent UA from rolling out the Panasonic solution to the entire fleet.

Quoting S75752 (Reply 40):

Quoting United1 (Reply 29):
and UA actually has more aircraft with in seat video, just about 400 aircraft have AVOD or DirectTV, than DL, AA and US do combined....

Ehhhhh..... EHH... I'll save that debate for another time, I can't find my old post.

Nothing to debate...it's a true statement.

Quoting S75752 (Reply 40):
I would love for another airline or someone to make a video about BLAH airline's longhaul venture.... HKG-SFO. You know what that means!

About what....UA has streaming video, WiFi and power ports are even being installed on the 744 fleet. If you choose to not use any of those features that's really not UAs fault.

AirCalSNA · Sun Oct 19, 2014 3:58 am

VX main cabin sucks.

Very uncomfortable seats. Nickel and dimed for everything. IFE content mostly throwaway.

PlanesNTrains · Sun Oct 19, 2014 4:31 am

Quoting Mcdu (Reply 41):
The ad and the creepy mannequins reiterate that Virgin is struggling to compete.

Interesting viewpoint. I took it as their desire to showcase what makes them different. I wouldn't think that's a bad thing. It's called marketing. Ever seen a United ad? Thought so. They must be struggling to compete.

Quoting Mcdu (Reply 41):
They are a high cost airline trying to masquerade as an LCC.

UA is an LCC trying to masquerade as a high cost airline. And it sounds like they usually suck at it. My daughter is flying them to Australia in December. Can't wait to hear how wonderful the flight was.

Quoting Mcdu (Reply 41):
If they were doing well their product and service would speak for itself.

The fact that they still exist is partially attributable to UA's product and service "speaking for itself".

-Dave

N505fx · Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:35 am

Quoting United1 (Reply 42):
contractual issues that prevent UA from rolling out the Panasonic solution to the entire fleet.

When has that gotten in the way at UAL? Just call in the consultants and attorneys, they'll figure out how to cancel those contracts in no time!!!

The Wifi experience is really pretty horrible, not using any kind of SSO technology, bad interfaces all around and so and so forth. The consistency of the WiFi product on AA and DL give them a leg up, as they are able to offer IFE over that system, and do it relatively quickly with little fuss, where are UAL has been making a big deal about it for well over a year now and still has only the Airbus fleet the 747 and some 757 to show for it....poor show on an airline that claims to be "Flyer Friendly"

[Edited 2014-10-18 22:39:08]

[Edited 2014-10-18 22:39:44]

opethfan · Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:45 am

Those mannequins are what nightmares are made of.

United1 · Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:55 am

Quoting N505fx (Reply 45):
When has that gotten in the way at UAL? Just call in the consultants and attorneys, they'll figure out how to cancel those contracts in no time!!!

....if only life was that simple. It's been rumored for years that UA was not happy with the DirectTV contract that they inherited from CO but it looks like they are stuck with it.

[quote=N505fx,reply=45]The Wifi experience is really pretty horrible, not using any kind of SSO technology, bad interfaces all around and so and so forth. The consistency of the WiFi product on AA and DL give them a leg up, as they are able to offer IFE over that system,

Perhaps once everything is up and running UA can look at SSO to cover up the sign in screens....they have more of an incentive to look into it now as GoGo and streaming video is being added to the 51+ seat RJ fleet vs just being a on a subfleet of 757s (P.S.) The WiFi system on the GoGo and Panasonic equipped aircraft do utilize the WiFi part of the system to stream video. The DirecTV system doesn't offer that service as DirecTV won't allow it...

N505fx · Sun Oct 19, 2014 6:06 am

Quoting United1 (Reply 47):
The DirecTV system doesn't offer that service as DirecTV won't allow it...

Ahhh...more passenger suffering at the hands of the geniuses from Texas...brilliant!!! The same people that brought us, well, everything Continental....

United1 · Sun Oct 19, 2014 6:13 am

Quoting N505fx (Reply 48):

Quoting United1 (Reply 47):
The DirecTV system doesn't offer that service as DirecTV won't allow it...

Ahhh...more passenger suffering at the hands of the geniuses from Texas...brilliant!!! The same people that brought us, well, everything Continental....

How is lack of streaming video "suffering" ....WiFi and DirecTV works fine on those flights....or are you just being overly melodramatic?

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