Airlines tend to have a certain image. For the most part, it’s “Get on the plane, go where we take you.” That’s just the nature of the business, right?

Not all together unexpected. When you get right down to it, the whole process is really, well... dull. Think Frankie Lane singing the theme from “Rawhide” and you get the idea.  Mooooove those folks from point A to point B and back again. It is any wonder that sometimes passengers feel like cattle in transit? After last week’s Jet Blue fiasco in New York, it is something that anyone who flies just dreads.

Now, I’m a confirmed Jet Blue customer. On the whole, I can say that most of my flights with them have been good ones. Usually, the trip of choice is from Oakland to Long Beach for a visit to Disneyland.  But on occasion, there are reasons why I have to choose another airline. Usually, I end up regretting that choice. Flying from San Jose to Baltimore early one Sunday morning on Southwest was one such trip. Who knew that a flight leaving so early would be so full? And so full of children!  Thankfully, I had my iPod full up and a basket of goodies from Max’s Deli to make the trip bearable. Oh, the smell of the onions on that turkey and havarti sandwich was sooooooo good, every time I opened that bag...

But, to be fair, some airlines have gone the extra mile, so to speak. They have adopted some items of decor that try to put a different face on the whole flight experience. With Jet Blue, it’s a kind of happy, go-lucky (usually) mood, complete with nice leather seats and a television with free programming at every seat. Even Southwest has given some of the planes of their fleet a makeover with the theme of the states they serve. You may have seen them. My favorite is Nevada One, but the Shamu’s for their promotions of Sea World run a close second.

Nevada One

And once upon a time, there was Western Pacific Airline who brought the Simpson’s to the skies, but they’re gone now, a victim of the airline industry woes.

D’oh!

Well, when you come right down to fun themes on airplanes, my hands-down choice is Frontier Airlines. They’ve got 60 airplanes with animals on the tails of the planes. It’s one thing for an airline to name a plane. That’s a tradition that goes way back. Jet Blue has some catchy names of it’s fleet. But how about a plane named “Larry”?

Yes, “Larry” the lynx. Spokescat for the airline.

Check out the whole crew and don’t miss the commercials while you’re looking about. It’s just too much fun. They even have a whole line of merchandise to go along with this! Can we interest you in a Larry t-shirt? Only eight bucks!

See? Flying doesn’t always have to be so grim! The next time you’re facing a long flight somewhere, go look for some fun, even if it’s only a laugh or two about the plane. Who knows? You could end up flying somewhere on “Mel”!