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Editor’s Note: While SimpliFlying’s aviation marketing thought leadership goes far and wide, we know there is more great content beyond our borders. SimpliRecap is a weekly feature that ensures that our readers don’t miss the latest in airline and airport marketing. This week’s selection is from the world of airline marketing. Find our previous editions here.
Southwest gets flyers to pay more despite Bags-Fly-Free Mantra
Despite Southwest’s new commercialtouting “Bags Fly Free” and free TV from the Dish Network, the airline generated 17% of its ancillary revenue last year from excess bag fees and AirTran’s bag fees.
In fact, Southwest’s ancillary revenue in 2012 grew 40.2% over the previous year to $1.65 billion, and that made Southwest the fourth largest collector of ancillary fee revenue…
Read the entire article on Skift.
Airlines selling empty business class seats in auctions
Flying economy getting you down? The good news is that getting bumped up to Business Class just got more affordable. Last month, Iberia became the latest carrier to roll out an online auction scheme that allows customers to bid for seating upgrades.
Find out more at CNN.
airberlin starts offering Best Price Guarantee
…If the same flight is offered on another online portal on the same booking date for more than ten euros less, airberlin will refund its guests the difference. The airline can be notified of this difference until midnight on the booking date…
Get the complete details at TravelDailyNews.
Etihad now flies with Nannies in the Air
…Opting for bright orange aprons, rather than latex or capes, the Flying Nannies aim to offer a helping hand to families and unaccompanied minors. In the past two months, 300 Etihad cabin crew staff have been taught how best to deal with restless sprogs, while a further 60 employees will be trained in September and 500 nannies will be flying by the end of the year…
Read the original article at The Wall Street Journal.
JAL takes to scent marketing with unique fragrances in lounges
…A morning aroma oil blends Japanese cypress from Nagano Prefecture, Hinoki leaf from Aomori Prefecture, pine needle from Hokkaido Prefecture and Gifu Prefecture, as well as sandalwood. In the evenings, travellers will catch a hint of Yuzu from Kochi Prefecture and Hinoki leaf from Aomori Prefecture, along with rosewood, lavender and vetiver…
Find out when and where to experience these fragrances at Airport World.
Estonian Air launches automatic check-in
Estonian Air has introduced an automatic check-in service, which allows passengers to automatically receive a link to their boarding pass via their mobile phone, rather than having to check-in manually.
Read more at Future Travel Experience.
Thai Airways logo cover-up
And finally this week’s most-read story from the SimpliFlying stable.
….Today’s reality is that within minutes after an incident, if not seconds, “accidental spokespersons” are posting live photos, videos and information on to their social networking profiles. In the Thai Airways logo cover-up case, Twitter was flooded with details and photos of the accident just 18 minutes after the plane came to a stop…
Read the original article: Thai Airways logo cover-up.