In-flight advertising targets potential consumers aboard an airline –one of the best ways to advertise to people because flight passengers are a captive audience and cannot just get up and walk away. Some of the ads are interactive ads or highly technological touch screens ones and others are very basic, such as the napkin a passenger receives when they request a drink. Ads can be tailored according to the traveller’s destination or several of the airlines destinations, promoting local restaurants, hotels, shopping and businesses.

Facts –

• On an hour flights, about 9 out of 10 airline passengers use their tray for 15 minutes or more. In short flights of an hour or less, the figure came up to 82%.
• About 85% figures are higher for business class and high frequency passengerswho use their table-trays during their flight.
• 86% passengersare more likely to be receptive to advertising messages.
• 92% passengers will still recall advertising messages a few hours after arrival.

Types of in-flight advertising –

This is one of the best ways to advertise to people, since flight passengers are a captive audience and cannot just get up and walk away. Some of the ads are highly technological touch screens or other interactive ads and others are very basic, such as the napkin a passenger receives when they request a drink.

• In-flight credit card pitches.

• Laminated tray table ads.
• Cups with logos and names of a brand.
• Napkins with logos and names of a brand.
• TV screens in seatbacks.
• Product sampling.
• Overhead luggage bin ads.
• Advertising announcements.

Benefits of in-flight advertising –

• Captive audience – one advantage that in-flight advertising has that many other media vehicles do not – a captive audience. It is one of the best ways to advertise to people because flight passengers are a captive audience they cannot avoid the message delivery. Plus, being in the airplane is stuck and boring for many people and they are often looking for information and are surely in a receptive of mind. That is the time for your ads to come.
• Global reach –thousands of people fly every airline every day in countries around the world, in-flight media have a wide reach in terms of both domestic and international travellers with a penchant for spending money pre, during and post their journey.
• High frequency of exposure –with the higher frequency of frequent flyers, the reach of in-flight ads attains the maximum exposure.
• Follows passengers – in-flight media does not only concern what passengers use and see on-board but also before their flight. In-flight media advertising represents all the communication supports that can be used within the passenger environment, including advertising in airport lounges. This type of communication offer brands a unique opportunity to present their images in an impressive way.
• Targeted audience –advertisers can reach a huge number of passengers.They can easily yet effectively target them by geographical origin, destination, routes, and even by their preferences and purchasing habits data from their advertising representative in in-flight advertising.

It is advisable to choose business and first class,if you want to reach customers with deep pocket and high purchasing power to promote your luxurious products.

Although, in-flight entertainment is no longer all about costly systems with limited budget, you can still advertise effectively to mass audience in low-cost carrier, which can also bring equal benefits.

• Numerous choices of formats and platforms –like print, TV, digital and ambient adverts, ads can be placed on in-flight magazine, passing board or displayed on TV on-board or on the touch screen of digital devices. Many airlines are offering free wifi on flights, which is another very effective way for them to sneak in advertising. Hence, advertisers can choose the format, platform suitable for their business and purposes and be creative with the campaign ideas.

In-flight advertising is one of the best ways to advertise your brand and make it big, as it creates a rare and ideal opportunity for business to communicate & engage with target customers.