Spirit Airlines announces another raunchy marketing stunt

Ah, Spirit Airlines – the airline equivalent of a Beavis and Butthead episode.

After annoying their own staff with their “MILF” promotion back in 2007, the marketing minds at this low cost carrier have decided to ignore all the previous criticism, and launched yet another raunchy promo.

Dubbed “MUFF DIVING“, the promo promises “Many Unbelievably Fantastic Fares to Diving Destinations”. Yeah, we get the joke (and it made me chuckle).

Still – you can’t blame them for trying; their stunt has already caught the attention of many Internet sites (this one included).

So, even if they don’t sell a single ticket, and even when they’ll make their own staff madder than ever — they have created the kind of buzz only smart marketing people manage to create. Kudos Spirit.

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Gadling brings you the girls of the 2010 VivaAerobus calendar!

We’ve done it again – for the second year, Gadling is bringing you the entire lineup of the VivaAerobus calendar. For those that missed the 2009 version, VivaAerobus is a Mexican low cost carrier that publishes a yearly calendar with some of their most attractive employees. The calendars are sold on their flights, and all proceeds benefit the Mexican pediatric cancer research alliance.

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Hungarian airline stunt too successful

A crowd pissed all over Wizz Air’s attempt to release 1,000 balloons into the sky. The low-cost airline had hoped to celebrate its fifth anniversary, but the Hungarian crowd was drawn to the event by the rumor of freebies hooked to the balloons – coupons worth $49.95 – ultimately ruining it for everybody.

The balloons were held in a net in Budapest. Attendees started to pop balloons so they could cash in on the discounts, prompting a burst of bursting. After the first popper struck, the crowd “attacked the net,” according to Wizz Air communications director Natasa Kazmer.

One young woman fished for coupons through a grill in the gutter, hopefully because she planned to take many Wizzes later this year.

The publicity stunt was too successful: most of the vouchers were gone before the press even arrived.

Ryanair: get in shape, carry your own bags

European object of disdain low-cost carrier Ryanair is always looking for ways to save a few bucks. From pay-to-piss to the fat tax, the airline has put forth a stream of ideas that really haven’t gotten off the ground. Well, CEO Michael O’Leary has a new one to add to the list: mandatory luggage self-service.

Under this new model, passengers would carry their bags through airport security and drop them at the steps at the bottom of the plane. Turnaround times remain a concern – as they are for the fat tax. Let’s be realistic: the only people in the airport more likely to screw something up than baggage handlers are the passengers themselves.

If you spend 15 minutes staring at the menu at Sbarro and can’t figure the damned thing out, you probably shouldn’t be trusted to carry your own bags.

Say “I do” at 30,000 feet – easyJet wants to get into the wedding business

Desperate to generate some extra cash, every airline in the world is scrambling for ways to introduce new money making services. Some have considered paid bathrooms, others are going to double charge fatties. UK low cost carrier easyJet is in the lead at the moment in the creativity top 10.

The airline is planning to introduce in-flight weddings on their planes, allowing couples to tie the knot at 30,000 feet.

Imagine being able to get married on the plane that is taking you to your honeymoon destination.

Of course, it’ll still be on a tacky orange colored low cost carrier, and many of the passengers around you are probably already drunk from all the beer at the airport.

There is one minor issue they’ll need to work on first – UK law states that the place of marriage has to be a legal building, and that the building has to be permanent and “not moving”. Still, if they are able to work out the legal problems, they may be onto the next big aviation money maker.