After a week in which United Airlines resurrected retired flight numbers United 93 and United 175, the two flights that were downed on 9/11 (and quickly corrected the error), it was quite the capper to find themselves needing to remove a billboard similarly inappropriate in light of 9/11.
A United Airlines ad across the street from ground zero that read “You’re going to like where we land” has been removed after NBC New York reported that some found it inappropriate.
Some New Yorkers said it was insensitive because of its proximity to where United Flight 175 struck the south tower on 9/11.
In fairness, United didn’t place the ad there themselves and acted quickly to have it removed once it was called to their attention.
That’s in contrast to the true gaffe of placing United codes on Continental flights that shouldn’t have been re-used. After a flight is lost, the flight number is retired. United has apologized for that mistake as well.
Still, I don’t think this even qualified as the Worst. Airline Ad. Ever.
I don’t know. This sounds like a controversy about nothing. I guess after the flight number thing (which, while unfortunate, isn’t the biggest deal in the world), the local TV station was looking for something to be unhappy about. Really, who would actually be “offended”?
If these are the biggest mistakes the new United makes, they’re going to be a great airline! 🙂