Let’s face it – commercial travel stinks. Long lines at security checkpoints, all sorts of absurd security restrictions, bogus baggage fees, oversold flights, horrible food (if any!) cramped cabins, limited legroom, and delays, delays, delays. It’s enough to turn one off from ever flying again!
So how does one airline tackle these unfavorable traveler perceptions? Introducing South Africa’s Kulula Airlines. Cutting right through everything that’s detestable about the airline travel, Kulula goes straight through to the hearts and minds of their customers with panache and humor deserving of a top comedy show.
Just check out the astounding graphics on their planes!
Here, “The Big Cheese” identifies the pilot seat, and Co-Captain, the Jump Seat is for “the wannabe pilots” and whoever thought to call the loo a “mile high initiation chamber” is a genius! (see more detail here)
Going well beyond the humorous approach that Southwest Airlines once trotted out, each Kulula flight crew delivers comedy and wit worthy of its own prime time show!
See more humorous quotes here.
So ultimately, what is the company trying to say with this deliberately humorous positioning? By cutting through fear, indignation, and frustration that is the norm for most consumer travel, Kulula Airlines demonstrates that THEY CARE about their customer state of mind.
This positioning stands in stark contrast to United Airlines. Remember the YouTube hit “United Breaks Guitars”?
With over 9 million views on YouTube you’d better believe that this little ditty finally got United Airlines listening to their customers. After a lengthy delay worthy of a commuter flight between O’Hare to SFO, United has finally stepped up their social media presence. Read more.