Because of my recent two week visit home (Toronto), I've been hypersensitive to any sort of Canadiana as of late. Wandering around the Sydney streets this past weekend, staring at the backs of Sydney buses (as one does) I was quite bemused to keep seeing the AC logo.

Just recently it seems AC has launched an advertising campaign here in Oz, (was noted here before as being quite competitive for SYD-LHR). However, in the past three days I've seen adverts for SYD-GRU (that'd be a long day on AC!), SYD-BDA (must be heavy traffic on that route..), and SYD-MAD (the long way to get to Europe).

Trying out some pairings on zuji, they've actually got some fairly decent fares for these, syd-mad is only $1,963 AUD. I'm thinking that perhaps AC is taking advantage of the (relatively) strong aussie dollar to be more competitive on these routes. Though I'm not sure who would want to fly an extra 2000 miles to get to the same place (except maybe one of us).

There were also ads for travel to Canada (not surprisingly), however the tag line of "Canada-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah" I initially read as "duh duh duh" as if we're all stupid or something. (It was a hiker on a mountain testing the echo).

The strangest part about these ads is that the AC logo they're using is the OLD logo, like, from 10 years ago. Kinda weird. Anyways, just some thoughts.

Duh! Now I geddit! I'd wondered what that was all about!

You don't htink the Australians know a Beethoven jingle when they hear one? Then again, Homer is from Winnipeg...

Suspect the old logo is being used because it will ring a bell with the hundreds of thousands, nay millions, of Aussies who over the past four decades have travelled the world, and hung out in London where AC has had a heavy advertising presence with various plays on images -- doodles and the like -- using the old logo. It would be embedded in their subconscious, and thus a good way of reinstating some brand recognition.

As for the fares, Australians have been quite used to long air journeys, and taking the least direct routes. Buying a R-t-W is a right of passage for teens who graduate from high school there and in New Zealand, and hundreds of thousands each year head off to circle the globe this way. This is why R-t-Ws are so cheap down there, and why regular fares like the ones you quote are also available. [They've been posted on FT for ages.]

Homer is not from Winnipeg!

Maybe they should consider using the old logo here in Canada?

Canadi>n

_____________
I miss Canadian Airlines

Long live the goose.

(Incidentally, saw someone walk by me this morning at the bus stop downtown with Canadi>n President Gold tags on their rolly.)

Sure yor're not. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone else.

Doh!




[This message has been edited by cattle (edited 07-23-2003).]

I've read elsewhere in this forum about the push to promote travel to Western Canada since it's the hot spot for young Aussies and other ski buffs. Whistler is full of 'em and it's a real zoo there on Anzac Day.

Hope the deals to Canada are good - I've checked prices MEL to YYZ for late summer and they're not too bad - in the range of $2200.

Let's hope lots of Australians - anyone, please - uses AC and keeps it afloat.

No worries - those SYD flights are doing quite well lately.

Let's just hope more people come to Canada to visit from anywhere. Had lunch at a terrace pub/restaurant on the Esplanade today. Last year at this time, it was packed with tourists and locals for lunch and well into the mid-afternoon. Today, it was practically deserted. Nice sunny summer day, not too hot...

Hang on! Of course, lots of australians include me come to Canada everydays. I always go to Canada every two years as Canada is my fav holiday country. I found that Canadians are more friendly than Australia! Ok, for Canadians, there're lots of Canadians in Australia. I have met my Canadian friends from college, seatmates and roommates.