I came across an article today discussing advertising on some of the nations most popular airlines, most notably Spirit Airlines. Airlines are beginning to sell advertising space on everything from the outside of planes itself (a cool $14 million for one year) to the “air sick” bags hiding in the seat pocket in front of you ($18,500 for 3 months). Peptol Bismol, anyone?

With the holiday season approaching and an influx of travelers about to swarm airports, I got to thinking… What can an advertiser get in airport Digital Out-of-Home advertising for roughly the same $200,000 spent for 3 months of ad space on overhead bin posters onboard an airplane. Which would get more bang for the buck during peak holiday travel time?

I headed over to the rVue Media Planner and created a plan for airports in the Top 20 DMA’s for Nov. 1 – Jan. 31. I looked through the Spirit Airlines Media Kit and saw that per quarter, they estimate roughly 2 million impressions.

With DOOH advertising, for a 3-month period of airport advertising -located in terminals, dining areas and baggage claim areas- an advertiser can get nearly 25 million impressions for $208,000. DOOH offers over 10 times the amount of impressions in addition to rich, high quality advertising versus the static posters plastered on overhead bins.

Airport advertising is a great place for all types of brands to market due to the high dwell time and captive nature of the audience. During holiday travel periods, consumers of all types are accessible. Around the rVue offices, you’ll often hear the term, “Moving images for a still audience. Still images for a moving audience.” This definitely holds true as it pertains to airline travelers.

Ashley DiVeronica - Digital Media Strategist