Good job, Austrian Airlines!

15 Jun

I’m sitting at the airport in Vienna waiting for a flight and am actually enjoying the commercial for Austrian Airlines that keeps flashing across the screen.

It’s informing us that Austrian is the official airline of the Austrian national football / soccer team and shows members of the men’s national team kicking a soccer ball around a hangar and a pilot joining in. Then a red shoe, a pump, stops the ball. The camera pans up to show the owner of the shoe — a middle-aged(!) female flight attendant — who winks at the men and then kicks the ball through the open door of a plane. Tor! High fives all around.

For me, this is typical of state-owned (or, more accurately, formerly state-owned) companies in Austria. Diversity, yes, but with a light touch. Which is a good way to get past people’s defenses.

In any case, as a middle-aged woman who played soccer competitively for her school for six years, it was really enjoyable.

One Response to “Good job, Austrian Airlines!”

  1. esauboeck's avatar
    esauboeck June 15, 2025 at 6:27 pm #

    Good on you, playing soccer!

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