The Best Airline April Fools Gag Goes To …WestJet Again

It is April Fools Day once again, and airlines around the world have launched their annual gags.   This year was a tough choice to make my decision, so I’ll start with the two that were nearly chosen as the best Airline April Fools Gag, both airlines with a Union Jack on their aircraft.

 

First up, in third place … Virgin Atlantic announced “Onboard Pet Therapy.”   This year’s April Fools Gag from Sir. Richard Branson’s crew focused on the airline’s commitment to the “Flying Without Fear” program, which helps nervous travelers get over their fear of flying.   For April Fools Day the airline announced they’d be rolling out in-flight therapy puppies and kittens, given the scientific studies showing that stroking a cat or dog can dramatically reduce a human’s anxiety level.   Along with therapy kittens and puppies, Onboard Pet Therapy would include “Comfort Blanket” service, where specially trained Flight Pets would curl up on the laps of nervous flyers during takeoff and landing.

 

Just slightly ahead of Virgin Atlantic is Air New Zealand.   The funny Kiwis introduced the StraitghtUpFare.  The StraightUpFare would pack an additional 69 passengers on board the airline’s Boeing 777-219/ER standing in the aisles, and elsewhere in the aircraft.   The whole faux campaign is hysterical … and is accompanied by Unicorn Meat.

 

But the winner of this year’s April Fools Gag Of The Year … for the second year in a row … it is those funny Canucks up in Calgary at WestJet.

 

This year WestJet introduced KargoKids and Child Free Cabins. KargoKids allows parents to check their children into “toboggans,” and then be loaded into the belly of the airline’s Boeing 737s to fun, scream and play with other kids.   The airline released the following this morning …

 

WestJet today introduced KargoKids, an exciting new program allowing guests to travel on select child-free flights, creating a quieter and more relaxing in-flight experience, while children travel in a “special VIP” area of the aircraft.

“As Canada’s low-cost airline, we are constantly looking for innovative and fun ways to enhance the guest experience,” continued Richard Bartrem. “The initial feedback on KargoKids has been quite positive and we’re looking forward to the peace and quiet while we get families where they need to be.”

 

The promotional video for KargoKids is flawlessly executed and brilliant!   I can’t wait to see what WestJet does next year!

 

Check out WestJet’s April Fools Gag below

 

Happy Laughing … err … Happy Flying!

 

@flyingwithfish