TORONTO — To flirt or not to flirt, that is the question. On airplanes, people seem to be divided on the answer.
Delta and Coca-Cola found themselves at the centre of a love snafu after launching a marketing campaign that encouraged passengers to flirt with others onboard.
Coca-Cola-branded napkins were distributed on certain Delta flights that read, “because you’re on a plane full of interesting people and hey…you never know.” The flip side of the napkins included blank spaces for passengers to jot down their names and phone numbers, if so willing. The fineprint on the side of napkins also read: “Be a little old school, write your number & give it to your plane crush.”
So, harmless Valentine’s Day gimmick, or creepy gag?
People on social media were divided, with some calling them “creepy AF” while others applauded the airline for its sense of humour.
Encouraging unwanted advances from strangers inside a plane? Don’t you even understand harassment @Delta?
— spaniel (@anotherspaniel) February 7, 2019
These cocktail napkins on @Delta practically encourage affairs. @CocaCola. Hey…you never know. pic.twitter.com/3FWhypx7dW
— Laura Kronen (@beyouonlybetter) February 7, 2019
Napkins received from @Delta on Wednesday flight seem unintentionally creepy, especially after reading the smaller print. Swing and a miss, @DietCoke. pic.twitter.com/eKaMruqqUR
— Mike J (@MJJoe) February 1, 2019
@Delta @CocaCola I friggin LOVE these napkins. How anybody can find this genuinely creepy is beyond me. I once met a guy on a plane and we ended up in a 6 month relationship…and it all started with a smile and a…number…on an airplane napkin #Delta #CocaCola pic.twitter.com/3Wg7YMjelp
— Juliet Jones makes stuff up for a living (@IreallyamJuliet) February 7, 2019
I don’t see the problem. You never know if someone:
– Could be a business customer
– Might have a job for you
– May be fun to get to knowWhat’s the problem? Someone get offended by this napkin?!?
— David Martin Ungaro ???? (@davidungaro) February 7, 2019
It’s a napkin for heaven’s sake and frankly that’s quite cleverly done. I know so many people who found love on a plane. What can I say, I am an old school romantic. Kudos @Delta & @CocaCola for helping love take flight ! https://t.co/Jk2zznY7s1
— Vinamra Longani (@Vinamralongani) February 7, 2019
In a statement, Delta apologized for offending passengers: “We rotate Coke products regularly as part of our brand partnership, but missed the mark with this one. We are sorry for that and began removing the napkins from our aircraft in January.”
Coca-Cola also followed up, apologizing to “anyone we may have offended.” The company confirmed that it will replace the napkins with alternative designs.
So where do you stand? Do you think the napkins were creepy and offensive? Or would you have seen the humour in them as Coca-Cola intended? The love debate continues!
