There was a time when airlines regularly aired television commercials back in the day when there was no cable and only three networks -- ABC, CBS and NBC. These commercials used different methods -- from humor to glamour -- to get butts in seats. I’ve always been a fan of good airline commercials that make me laugh, give me a sense of place and show the wonderment of air travel. Below are links to 10 of my favorites, in no particular order.
Introduction to Jet Service: this classic 2:55-minute commercial from 1958 showcases the airline's new Boeing 707 jet service.More »
Disney: This is a charmer from back in the day when Eastern was the official airline of Walt Disney World. The quality is a bit fuzzy, but it’s still a great commercial! More »
Do you remember the classic Delta tagline "We love to fly and it shows?" Here's a 1987 commercial using that line. And check out that Lockheed L-1011 tri-jet!More »
Actor of Peter Sellars of "Pink Panther" fame also starred in a series of TV commercials in the 1970s touting TWA's flights to Europe.More »
Enjoy this 1975 commercial that features Sorrell Brooks, the actor who portrayed Boss Hogg in the television show "The Dukes of Hazard." It's all about paying it forward.More »
The only way to fly: this 10-second gem features the iconic airline bird. More »
McLean Stevenson, Fishing Hole: the former M*A*S*H star was tapped in the 1980s to do commercials for the carrier. More »
Our Smiles Aren’t Just Painted On: I’m from California, and I was a great fan of this originally intra-state carrier. They were known for having smiles painted on the front of the plane. More »
This commercial, from 1972, features a flight attendant in the classic hot pants -- along with a pre-CGI surprise.More »
Babysitters: grandparents get their own surprise when they make a visit to see their twin baby grandchildren. It's not "classic" per se, but it made me laugh, so here it is.More »
1. Pan Am
Introduction to Jet Service: this classic 2:55-minute commercial from 1958 showcases the airline's new Boeing 707 jet service.More »
2. Eastern Airlines
Disney: This is a charmer from back in the day when Eastern was the official airline of Walt Disney World. The quality is a bit fuzzy, but it’s still a great commercial! More »
3. Delta Air Lines
Do you remember the classic Delta tagline "We love to fly and it shows?" Here's a 1987 commercial using that line. And check out that Lockheed L-1011 tri-jet!More »
4. TWA
Actor of Peter Sellars of "Pink Panther" fame also starred in a series of TV commercials in the 1970s touting TWA's flights to Europe.More »
5. United Airlines
Enjoy this 1975 commercial that features Sorrell Brooks, the actor who portrayed Boss Hogg in the television show "The Dukes of Hazard." It's all about paying it forward.More »
6. Western Airlines
The only way to fly: this 10-second gem features the iconic airline bird. More »
7. Piedmont Airlines
McLean Stevenson, Fishing Hole: the former M*A*S*H star was tapped in the 1980s to do commercials for the carrier. More »
8. PSA
Our Smiles Aren’t Just Painted On: I’m from California, and I was a great fan of this originally intra-state carrier. They were known for having smiles painted on the front of the plane. More »
9. Southwest Airlines
This commercial, from 1972, features a flight attendant in the classic hot pants -- along with a pre-CGI surprise.More »
10. AirTran
Babysitters: grandparents get their own surprise when they make a visit to see their twin baby grandchildren. It's not "classic" per se, but it made me laugh, so here it is.More »