There IS Such A Thing As A Free Lunch With Air Advertainment

Posted June 24, 2010 by BookingBuddy

Whoever it was that said ‘’There’s no such thing as a free lunch’’ probably foresaw the rise of the low-cost carriers. Paying for an in-flight meal or snack is now something that most airline passengers are used to. Thus, you’re likely to be suspicious when you learn some short-haul passengers in the United States have been treated to an increasingly rare sight – a free in-flight meal! 

‘’What’s the catch?’’ I hear you wonder. Well, the catch, if it can be called that, is that the boxes containing those meals are emblazoned with advertisements. This is the brainchild of Air Advertainment, a company which aims to link up brands and airlines. Brands that take part in the programme sponsor snacks or meals for passengers in exchange for advertising space. The companies’ logos and advertisements are printed onto the snack boxes, and flight attendants also let passengers know which company sponsored their meal.

It seems like a win-win situation for all parties – the companies are assured of a captive audience (you can’t get up and make a cup of tea to avoid the ads) and passengers get free food.  So, my question is - how long will it be before we see it spreading over here? The Air Advertainment programme is currently confined to a limited number of routes in the US, and there are no mentions of expanding it outside the US at the moment. However, I’m eagerly awaiting the day when I won’t have to pay £3 for a bar of limp chocolate, even if I have to put up with a few garish ads to get it. 

(Photo: savvysugar.com)

Categories: Food and Drink, Travel News