Comments on: Gulf of understanding http://quitealone.com/2009/07/08/gulf-of-understanding/ "To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world" – Freya Stark Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:02:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Matthew Teller http://quitealone.com/2009/07/08/gulf-of-understanding/#comment-84 Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:24:56 +0000 http://quitealone.com/?p=59#comment-84 Spot on, David, especially about the ‘captive audience’ principle. The point is, if only the airlines realised that, since they’ve got a captive audience for their inflight mag, they could really push the boat out and do something eye-catching and unusual to promote their destinations (and showcase their home country and culture), instead of just reverting to the lowest common denominator every time.

In what other field of publishing is a targeted readership presented with a magazine without charge and given loads of leisure time in which to read it? What an opportunity! And, 95% of the time, what a waste!

]]> By: David Whitley http://quitealone.com/2009/07/08/gulf-of-understanding/#comment-7 Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:11:41 +0000 http://quitealone.com/?p=59#comment-7 I think in-flights should be regarded like any other magazine. Look on the newstands – including in the travel section – and most are filled with utter pap. I don’t exclude the big name travel mags from this, incidentally: most are guilty of blandified, advertising-led travel porn.

I’ve written for a couple, but Voyeur for Virgin Blue in Australia is the only one that I could class as a semi-regular gig. I like Voyeur – it’s perky, and goes beyond the usual washed-out trave writing monotony. Importantly, it fits the airline image.

There’s certainly plenty of room for a good in-flight magazine, though. The problem is that some airlines will work on a captive audience principle and fill it with any old shite.

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