United Airlines Goes Too Far†

Garfield's Ad Review: Lush Animation Won't Make Anyone Rhapsodize About Flying

Advertising Age, August 25, 2008 — When there is a notable air disaster, by terms of the airlines' media contracts, airline advertising typically goes dark. This is for obvious reasons. No marketer wants to spend money reminding the audience of, for example, sudden fiery death.

There is a valuable lesson in that. At certain moments, advertising — no matter how cunningly crafted — is incapable of sending its intended message. At certain moments, it is capable only of triggering associations with the larger story in the public mind.

As airlines pull out of dive, united charts its own course†

Wall Street Journal, January 13, 2006 — United is making an all-out effort to raise revenue by pampering its best business travelers — and keeping them on United whether they are flying to a meeting on the coast, or taking the family to Orlando.