SimpliFlying’s Top 10 airline branding articles of 2008

What a year it has been for the airline industry! It started out in high spirits, until oil prices reached $160 per barrel and claimed airlines globally in its wake. And now, oil prices are predicted to go down to $20! In the midst of all this, some airlines took extreme measures that eroded brand equity, for short-term gain, while some persisted. Only time will tell which will emerge stronger from the recession, though my bets are on the latter.

So, let’s close the year by sharing with you the ten most popular (=most read) SimpliFlying articles of 2008. These actually give a good overview of the year for the industry too. From the great branding practices of Virgin America and lessons for airline from Barack “Change” Obama, to the brilliant Emirates A380 show put up during the first flight to New York. To top it off, the year ended with Qantas and BA going into merger talks.  I’m sure you’ll enjoy revisiting these articles, as much as I enjoyed writing them.

1. What can airlines learn from the Obama marketing machine
2. Three ways airlines can brand themselves out of the recession
3. Why a Qantas and British Airways merger is good (and why Qantas + Cathay Pacific will be even better!)
4. Will online communities by airlines help their brands take-off?
5. Top five branding insights from Virgin America
6. Emirates A380 maiden flight coverage from JFK
   
7. Singapore Airlines, still a great way to fly? A brand analysis
8. Three reasons why Qantas missed a branding opportunity with A380
9. Why Virgin Atlantic Airways is not “on the brink of collapse”
10. Top 10 branding insights from the best loyalty programs in the world

Alternatively, you may be interested in viewing one of the many video or audio interviews I have done on airline strategy and branding in the past few months with key airline executives and branding thought leaders.

Remeber, you can still win a 2GB Apple iPod by commenting on any of the articles and subscribing to SimpliFlying by email or RSS for regular updates.