New Emirates ad featuring Jennifer Aniston dissing US air travel is sparking anger
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jennifer Aniston enjoys a drink in the plane's Business bar. (Emirates)
Emirates has enlisted America’s favorite “Friends” actor to mock U.S. carriers in a new video ad that makes fun of what is pretty much the standard domestic airline travel experience.
First, Jennifer Aniston is offered a lowly bag of peanuts, then she’s shocked to discover there’s no shower onboard the aircraft. The flight attendants deliver the final blow when they tell Aniston that- horror of horrors—there’s no aircraft bar.
Of course this is all just a dream and she soon awakens in her luxurious walnut-paneled, flat-bed seat of an Emirates superjumbo’s first-class cabin, bristling from the nightmare.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cut to Aniston chatting away with an Emirates bartender in the lavishly appointed aircraft upper-deck bar, swigging from a delicate-looking martini glass.
“Hey, is there someone we could talk to about maybe flying this around a little bit longer?” the actress says.
The U.A.E. based airline says it spent $20 million on the spot, and it will be first be screened in the U.S. before being rolled out across Europe in 30 and 60 second versions, reports Bloomberg.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Though the ad is meant to be humorous, it’s struck a nerve with many YouTube users who point out that few travelers could actually afford the lavish experience depicted in the commercial. A round trip, First Class ticket from New York’s John F. Kennedy to Dubai starts around $25,000.
"im glad she acknowledges her privilege. being poor is such a nightmare. ah, someday i too will take a shower in the sky," wrote Ani0227.
"GYAAAAAAAAH STOP IT PLEASE!! No more economy class! Make it stop!" wrote 113Robinho.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"yeah, only Jennifer Aniston and other rich elites can afford Premium First Class tickets with the shower - the rest sit in cattle class although A-380 economy is better than most," said Mark Byron.
But many who commented and have been lucky enough to enjoy the Emirates experience, acknowledge that it is pretty special.
"I'v [sic] flown with many airlines and I have to say Emirates really is the best!!!" says Mikael Chad.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}