Originally Posted by
M60_to_LGA
You said that airlines inspire feelings of patriotic love second only to a national anthem or flag. I think that's a ludicrous statement. I have never in my life heard anyone - from any country -express a feeling of nationalistic attachment to an airline.
And the fact that US nationalism veers to the childish and grotesque - which I freely admit - has nothing at all to do with either your past statement or my response.
Then you haven't lived, my friend.
There is a distinction between inspiring outbursts of patriotic love, and seeing something bearing your nation's symbols (flags etc) unequivocally. I ll use the word resonate... go to China or India or Africa for a couple of monhts (or anywhere completely alien to you - where you are outside your comfort zone). Then tell me how you feel when you walk into an airport and see a flag carrier from 'home'. If it stirs nothing in you ( and I dont mean a sudden outburst of flag-waving), I ll eat my hat.
Airlines are brand ambassadors in their own right. Especially as you move eastwards, where bending over backwards in the name of hospitality is inculcated into national culture and characteristics. South East Asian and South Asian airlines take hospitality very seriously. Some nations treat airlines as part and parcel of their national brand - the first impression that many tourists and visitors get of a country is often the national carrier.
Do Indians take pride in 9W? I think so. Do Singaporeans take pride in SQ? I think so. I mean, if the Brits can take pride in BA, anything is possible
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