April Fools’ Day (sometimes called April Fool’s Day or All Fools’ Day) according to Wikipedia “is celebrated every year on the first day of April as a day when people play practical jokes and hoaxes on each other. The jokes and their victims are known as “April fools”. Hoax stories may be reported by the press and other media on this day and explained on subsequent days. Popular since the 19th century, the day is not a national holiday in any country, but it is well known in India, Canada, Europe, Australia, Brazil and the United States.
The earliest recorded association between April 1 and foolishness can be found in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales (1392).”
Some airlines have made this date as a way to connect with the public. We thought we would some of the best ones we have seen today.
Aer Lingus took the opportunity to joke about its shamrock logo on The Aer Lingus Blog:
Say hello to our new logo. That’s right – it’s an emoji.
For almost 80 years, Aer Lingus aircraft have proudly displayed the symbol of the shamrock as part of our unique livery. Our crews have worn it with pride on their uniforms. The Aer Lingus logo has come to be symbolic of Ireland, and of Irishness. In fact, our customers in far-away places often comment that as soon as they see the green shamrock, high on the tail-fin of our aircraft, they feel like they’re already home.
Throughout these 79 years, our logo has evolved, with each transition to a new design marking a milestone in the life of the airline.
Today, we’re proud to present the latest update to our time-honoured logo. For the first time in our history, our shamrock, or “clover” as we’d like it to be known from now on, will boast not three, but four leaves.
Some of you may recognise this iconic and elegant design from your smartphone – and you’d be right. We’ve taken the bold step of using an emoji as our brand new company logo.
Introducing the Aer Lingus four-leaf clover emoji logo.
Why, you ask? We believe in keeping abreast of the latest developments in mobile technology. We recognise the unstoppable trend in the use of emojis as a sophisticated new form of communication, and we’re proud to demonstrate leadership in this space. Indeed, we may be the first ever publicly-listed company to use an emoji as their logo.
We know that by having our logo pre-loaded in smartphones around the world, we can make our brand more recognisable and accessible than ever before. Starting April 1st, we begin the significant task of updating our livery to include the four-leaf clover.
Join us in welcoming in the era of the Aer Lingus four-leaf clover emoji logo.
Meanwhile Virgin Atlantic Airways’ CEO Richard Branson announced he was moving Virgin’s headquarters to Branson, Missouri with this story:
Above Photo: thelibrary.org
My great-great-uncle, Reuben S Branson, founded Branson and was the original all-American entrepreneur. As I have followed his lead as an adventure and an entrepreneur, I now want to follow his footsteps into his hometown. I’m proud to announce the Virgin Group’s US operations, and a section of our UK operations, are moving to Branson, Missouri.
Image Above: Virgin.com.
Route Map Above: Virgin America.
Virgin America are leading the way, announcing a new flight service to Branson from San Francisco. Virgin Hotels are well on their way to developing their next property in Branson, following in the footsteps of Virgin Hotels Chicago. Meanwhile, Virgin Limited Edition has announced their next luxury property will be based in Branson, offering guests exclusive wagon trails.
Image Above: Virgin.com.
Virgin Produced, our film and production company, will be filming their next feature in Branson. Virgin Mobile USA will be stocked at Branson’s Walmart store, where several hundred t-shirts were handed out to staff and customers. Virgin Active are introducing a new Branson-themed workout that will have gym-goers tossing hay bales and rolling wagon wheels across the gym.
Image Above: Virgin.com.
Virgin Pure will ensure that the entire water supply throughout Branson is triple-filtered and purified to make it healthy for all – so I will always be able to enjoy the perfect tasting cup of tea whenever I’m in town. Virgin Holidays will be also offering package holidays to the city with a variety of attractions and excursions available through their concierge service.
Image Above: Virgin.com.
Before embarking upon this project, I spoke to Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley, who is wholeheartedly behind the move. I also searched around for other entrepreneurs who have successfully launched businesses in Branson. To my delight, I found that Dolly Parton, the undisputed queen of country, runs the wildly popular Dixie Stampede in Branson. Virgin America are honouring Dolly by naming our newest plane Jolene, hosting Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede-themed flights and featuring a Dolly channel on our Red in-flight entertainment system (only available from 9am-5pm).
Image Above: Virgin.com.
Kevin Plank, CEO and Founder of Under Armour, runs one of the most successful stores right in Branson. They are showing their support by painting their Under Armour Branson store red, as well and throwing the biggest party ever to welcome Branson to Branson.
Image Above: Virgin.com.
With more of our Virgin brands expanding Stateside, it made sense to open our US headquarters in the hometown that bears my family name. I can’t wait to paint the town red.
Thank you Richard.
WestJet announced its new “SmartSeats” with this announcement:
WestJet today announced SmartSeats, a new concept in boarding its aircraft that could change the way people fly.
The SmartSeats concept is simple; the seats in the lounge are the seats on the aircraft. Guests ride the SmartSeats directly between the boarding lounge and the plane. The SmartSeats project team created a brief video now available on WestJet’s YouTube channel and Facebook page to assist in explaining the concept.
“WestJet has long been considered an innovator in improving the guest experience,” said Richard Bartrem, WestJet Vice-President, Communications and Community Relations. “Prior to arriving at the boarding lounge, our guests have already lined up to check in, to get through security, to grab a cup of coffee and to buy a book or a magazine for the flight. We understand the small inconveniences associated with flying and we are always trying to make improvements. SmartSeats are the next step in a constant evolution toward a seamless boarding process.”
SmartSeats could allow guests to board seven times faster than traditional boarding without any of the hassle involved with lining up and actually walking down the bridge to board the aircraft. Now guests can sit down in the lounge, get out a book or a laptop, and let WestJet do the rest.
Video Below: WestJet. After years of research and testing, we are excited to announce SmartSeats, a new concept in boarding flights. SmartSeats are guaranteed to change the way people fly. How? Your SmartSeats in the boarding lounge will also be your seats on the plane. Just sit back, relax and let SmartSeats do the work.
Finally Spirit Airlines announced new boarding procedures in its April 1 message:
Spirit Airlines has announced a new, more effective boarding process that may affect certain passengers on future flights. The implementation of Spirit Superiority Boarding will take place immediately at all U.S. based airport locations.
“We understand the boarding process for most airlines can be lengthy, confusing, and frankly insulting,” said Spirit’s Director of Boarding Procedures Sidd Finch. “It’s important to clearly define who should board and when they should be given access to the aircraft. These new boarding procedures will clear things up.”
With new Spirit Superiority Boarding, customers board in priority order, based on the following criteria:**
Gluten-free customers
Members of the Illuminati
Those with O-negative blood type
Laurie’s
Steve’s
Squirrels
Secessionists
Men with Low T
Canadian royalty
People who eat kale
Business-in-the-front-party-in-the-back Class
Everyone else
** Spirit is confident this new procedure, beginning on April 1, 2015, will lead to fewer complaints and more fun on their flights, and that most people will figure out this is a joke before they get to this point in the news release.
Spirit will continue with its normal boarding procedures, which provides one of the quickest and easiest ways to get on the plane and treats everyone fairly.