Ever seen an aircraft livery covered in ads like it was on the NASCAR circuit? Avatar Airlines has applied for certification from the US Department of Transportation with a plan to do just that.
"Tempered only by FCC safety regulations and requirements, nothing will be sacred," Avatar wrote in a Nov. 19 DOT application.
"Anything that you see or touch will be available for purchase. Management even envisions patrons using the restroom and being “greeted” by a named brand bathroom tissue company when they look inside the lid of the lavatory bowl. The outside of the aircraft may be adorned by e.g., Pepsi, Google or any other named brand on a massive aircraft 'wrap.'
Tray tables and overhead bins will be virtual billboards in the sky."
Avatar plans to fly a fleet of Boeing 747 jumbo jets, which it would use to connect large cities within the continental US and Hawaii. Revenue from those ads, coupled with cargo revenue, would enable the company to sell tickets for no more than US$99 for an economy seat on flights to Hawaii, provided tickets are purchased at least 30 days in advance.
Transcontinental flights would cost just US$79, the company said in the DOT application. Economy customers would pay no more than US$19 for short hops with 30 days advance purchase. The carrier also said it won’t charge for bags, seat selection or even WiFi.
Sound too good to be true? Well, for now Avatar has no planned launch date. That's because the company has much to do before getting airborne.
In addition to achieving DOT and FAA certification, it must raise all of its funding from scratch. Avatar has put forward a private equity offering in hopes of drawing US$300 million in investment.
The money would go toward all start-up efforts, including purchasing 14 Boeing 747-400s and establishing a training centre and headquarters.
Source: Travel Weekly USA