My first airplane ride was in 1973 on a Northwest Airlines flight from Chicago to Rochester, Minn. It was winter, and the plane hit a fair amount of turbulence. My mother looked like she was going to pass out. I thought it was fun.
That trip though wasn’t for fun. We were headed to Mayo Clinic for my mother’s surgery. Even though I was the only child on the flight and it was Christmas week, the airline didn’t give us any mementos. I haven’t flown Northwest since, though not for that reason. On my second flight, however, a few years later for a real vacation in Los Angeles, I not only got to go into the United Airlines cockpit to meet the pilots, but they also gave me this large plastic blow-up airplane of a United jet. I was thrilled! (Yes, I was a geeky kid.) That airplane hung in my bedroom for a couple years, until I finally outgrew it.
Nowadays, few airlines give away anything to anyone, let alone gifts to children. Yesterday, however, American Airlines announced that it is giving first-time flyers—of any age, but most first timers likely will be youngsters—a commemorative “First Flight Certificate,” signed by the aircraft’s pilots and flight attendants. To receive one, all you have to do is tell a flight attendant that it’s your first flight.
American’s hope, of course, is that the young flyers will grow up to be loyal American Airlines customers. It even stated as much in its press release about the new perk: “Passengers of any age can join American’s AAdvantage Travel Awards Program to begin enjoying the many benefits that AAdvantage membership provides.”
Now, the certificate is a very nice gesture, and I’m sure there will be some kids (and adults) who will be thrilled to receive the keepsake. But will it generate loyalty? Maybe so, but only if the company also adds in the Ben & Jerry sundaes that will soon be available in business class. I’m sure first-time flyers of any age will really appreciate those. (For the record, as an adult I did become a member of United’s reward program—among others, including American—but I have to admit that even though I have very fond memories of my first United experience, the toy plane didn’t play a part in that decision.)
Also, is it ever too early to sign kids up for an airline loyalty program? Plus, I’m curious to see if anyone else remembers getting gifts from airlines when flying as a child. Let us know!
