If you’ve never advertised with an airplane banner before, you probably have a few questions.
How big are the banners? Where can they fly? What happens if the weather doesn’t cooperate?
Airplane banner advertising is a little different from buying a digital ad or putting up a traditional billboard, so it helps to know how the process works before planning a campaign.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about aerial advertising and banner towing.
What Is Airplane Banner Advertising?
Airplane banner advertising is a form of outdoor advertising in which an aircraft tows an advertising message through the air over a targeted area.
Depending on the campaign, the banner may promote a business, product, event, sale, website, special announcement, or other message.
Aerial advertising is particularly well suited to locations where large numbers of people are gathered outdoors, including beaches, sporting events, festivals, concerts, fairs, and other busy destinations.
How Big Are Airplane Advertising Banners?
They’re big — because they have to be. An aerial advertisement needs to be visible from hundreds of feet away, so banners are designed on a much larger scale than most traditional advertising materials.
The exact size and format can vary based on the type of banner, the message, the aircraft being used, and other campaign considerations.
What matters most isn’t simply making the banner as large as possible. Letter size, spacing, color contrast, message length, and overall design all affect how easily people can read it from the ground.
Where Can Airplane Banners Fly?
Airplane banners can be flown over many high-traffic areas, but aircraft can’t simply fly anywhere an advertiser chooses.
Airspace restrictions, airports, temporary flight restrictions, local conditions, special events, and other aviation considerations can all affect where and how a banner towing flight can operate.
That’s one reason flight planning is such an important part of an aerial advertising campaign. At Aerial Messages, we can evaluate your desired location, determine the best approach for reaching your audience, and plan your flight with applicable airspace and aviation requirements in mind.
What Types of Locations Work Best for Aerial Advertising?
The best locations tend to be places where a lot of people are outside and have a clear view of the sky.
Beaches are a classic example. Thousands of people may be spread along the coastline, and an airplane banner can travel along the beach putting the same advertisement in front of audience after audience.
Other opportunities can include festivals, outdoor concerts, sporting events, major gatherings, tourist areas, and busy waterfront destinations. The right location depends on who you’re trying to reach and where that audience is likely to be.
How Long Does an Aerial Advertising Flight Last?
Flight times can vary depending on the campaign. Some advertisers may want a concentrated flight around a particular event, while others may want broader coverage along a beach or other high-traffic route. Campaigns can also include multiple flights over several days rather than relying on a single appearance.
The goal is to build a flight plan that puts the banner in front of the desired audience at the right time.
Can I Choose the Time My Banner Flies?
Timing can usually be planned around the audience you want to reach, but aviation and weather conditions always have to be taken into consideration.
For example, a business targeting beachgoers might want its airplane advertisement in the air during a busy afternoon. An advertiser promoting an evening event may prefer a flight timed to reach people beforehand.
Aerial advertising campaigns can be planned strategically around anticipated crowds, events, traffic patterns, and other factors.
What Happens if the Weather Is Bad?
Weather matters in aviation, and safety always comes first. Conditions such as thunderstorms, high winds, poor visibility, or other unsafe flying conditions may require a flight to be delayed, rescheduled, or otherwise adjusted.
Weather is something every aerial advertising campaign needs to account for, particularly when advertising around a specific date or event.
Can I Put My Logo on an Airplane Banner?
Yes. Depending on the type of banner and campaign, aerial advertisements can incorporate branding, logos, graphics, and custom messaging. The key is keeping everything readable.
A beautifully detailed logo may look great on your website but lose its impact when viewed from the ground. Sometimes simplifying the artwork or adjusting the layout creates a much stronger aerial advertisement.
Can I Use a Website or Phone Number?
Yes, but keep it simple. People only have a limited amount of time to read an airplane banner, so complicated contact information can be difficult to remember.
A short website address, memorable phone number, recognizable brand name, or easy-to-search phrase can work much better than a long URL.
Think about what someone could realistically remember after looking up at the banner for several seconds.
How Much Does Airplane Banner Advertising Cost?
You can find pricing for personal messages here and for commercial flights here.
How Far in Advance Should I Book an Airplane Banner?
Earlier is better, especially if your campaign is tied to a specific holiday, major event, or busy weekend. Planning ahead gives you more time to finalize the message, create the banner, coordinate the flight schedule, and work through any location-specific requirements.
That doesn’t mean a last-minute campaign is always impossible. Availability will depend on the location, timing, banner requirements, and flight schedule.
Is Airplane Banner Advertising Only for Big Companies?
Not at all. Aerial advertising can be used by national brands, but it can also work for local businesses, restaurants, real estate companies, event promoters, attractions, political campaigns, and other organizations trying to reach a concentrated audience.
It can even be used for personal messages and special occasions. What matters is whether the audience you want to reach is in a location that makes sense for aerial advertising.
Why Choose Airplane Advertising?
Most people spend their day surrounded by advertising. They scroll past digital ads, drive by billboards, delete promotional emails, and skip commercials.
An airplane flying overhead with a banner behind it is harder to ignore.
People look up. They point it out to friends. They read the message. In crowded outdoor environments, one flight can put a brand in front of a large number of people without asking them to click, open, or tune in to anything.
That’s what makes aerial advertising such a unique addition to a marketing campaign.
Have More Questions About Aerial Advertising?
Every campaign is a little different. Your ideal flight route, banner design, schedule, and strategy will depend on what you’re advertising and who you want to reach.
We can help you plan an airplane banner advertising campaign from the initial concept through the flight itself. Contact us to discuss your campaign and find out what it takes to put your message in the sky.