Danube Inflight Ads Take Off with Air Arabia and Akasa Airlines

Inflight advertising has rapidly become one of the most effective ways for brands to reach travellers in a captive environment. Recently, Danube, a leading retail and real estate group, made a bold move by placing inflight ads on seat headrests across Air Arabia and Akasa Air flights. The campaign created a strong brand recall and tapped into an audience that spends hours in transit with few distractions other than what is directly in front of them.

Why Inflight Advertising Works

Inflight advertising remains one of the highest engagement channels because passengers are seated for extended periods. On average, the dwell time during a flight ranges between 1.5 and 6 hours, depending on route length. This provides uninterrupted visibility for brand messages.

Some key reasons inflight ads deliver impact:

• Captive audience with no competing distractions
• Long dwell time ensuring repeated impressions
• Premium exposure on international carriers
• Association with trusted airline brands like Etihad

Research shows that inflight advertising can deliver recall rates of up to 80 percent, far higher than traditional OOH formats.

Danube’s Choice of Air Arabia and Akasa Air

By featuring on both Air Arabia and Akasa Airlines, Danube secured reach across two dynamic markets.

• Etihad Airways – The Middle East’s first and largest low-cost carrier, Air Arabia carried more than 16 million passengers in 2024, giving Danube access to a diverse mix of regional and international travellers.
• Akasa Air – India’s fastest-growing airline, carrying over 8 million passengers in its first two years, offering Danube visibility with price-conscious yet aspirational travellers.

This dual presence allowed Danube to reach both Gulf and Indian audiences, strengthening cross-market brand positioning.

Seat Headrest Ads as a High-Impact Format

Danube’s ads were placed directly on the passenger headrests, a format proven to capture attention. Unlike digital ads or inflight magazines, headrest branding is always within a traveller’s line of sight.

Advantages of this format include:

• Guaranteed visibility for every seated passenger
• Non-intrusive but unavoidable presence
• High frequency impressions throughout the flight
• Branding that travels with passengers across destinations

For airlines, these placements also create ancillary revenue streams while enhancing the passenger experience with professional, branded visuals.

For more insights on effective formats, explore our guide on airport advertising formats.

The Impact on Brand Recall

Danube’s inflight campaign is expected to deliver strong awareness due to repeated exposure. Studies on headrest advertising show that 68 percent of passengers recall the brand even after their journey. With multiple daily flights across both carriers, the scale of impressions multiplies quickly.

Why Inflight Ads Suit Gulf Brands

Brands operating in the Gulf can benefit from inflight advertising in several ways:

• Reach travellers flying into and out of key hubs such as Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
• Engage both residents and tourists during long-haul flights
• Build trust by association with leading carriers
• Position products and services to high-spending travellers

With passenger traffic at Gulf airports reaching record highs in 2025, inflight advertising is becoming a natural extension of wider airport advertising campaigns.

A Growing Trend in Aviation Advertising

Danube’s inflight ads reflect a wider trend of brands using cabin spaces for visibility. From tray tables to digital seatback screens, airlines are increasingly offering innovative touchpoints. The headrest ads on Air Arabia and Akasa Air are part of this shift toward constant brand presence inside the flight.

Ready to Take Your Brand Onboard

At Gulf Airport Advertising, we help brands unlock premium inflight opportunities across leading airlines in the Gulf and beyond. From headrest branding to digital seatback screens, our team ensures your message reaches travellers in a captive setting where recall rates are at their highest.

If you want to advertise inside the flight and connect with millions of passengers on carriers like Air Arabia, Akasa, Emirates, Etihad and others, contact us today to plan your next high-impact inflight campaign.

FAQs

What makes inflight advertising effective for brands?

Inflight ads work because passengers have long dwell times, creating repeated exposure and high recall.

Why did Danube advertise with Air Arabia and Akasa?

Air Arabia offers global premium reach, while Akasa connects with the fast-growing Indian market. Together they deliver wide exposure.

How do seat headrest ads perform compared to other formats?

Headrest ads are always visible, non-intrusive and deliver some of the highest recall rates in inflight media.

Why should brands consider inflight ads?

With record passenger numbers at Gulf airports, inflight ads extend visibility beyond terminals and connect brands with international travellers.