Brisbane TV 1986 - "C'mon and Fly Australian Airlines" (Australian Television Commercial)

[2211Maus]

The singer & songwriter is Mike McClellan. He has just released a new CD launched at the Basement, Sydney 29 July 2011. It is titled "If only for a moment". His previous CD release was 1990 with the album "Heartland" which includes the track used in this ad "Face to Face". In my opinion he is one of Australia's most underrated talents - songwriter, singer & incredible guitarist too.

[pugsley2005]

@2211Maus Thanks for this great information of a simply great commercial!!

[johneddy98033]

Great footage of the Boeing 737-300.

[marcstar747]

We are looking for the first Australian Commercial with TAA morphing into a butterfly with a Australian Airlines colours. Does anyone have it or know where to get it????

[downunder69]

I started in 1977 and am still there...The "Granddad" commercial rates as one of the most tear-jerking commercials of all time, fantastic advertisement !!

But even today, when ever I mention that I work for Qantas but started with TAA, people STILL sing to me....

:

Up, up and away,

With TAA

The friendly, friendly way..........

:

One of the all-time marketing successes !!!!

[a47en]

I joined TAA in Dec 1976 - I was made redundant by QF in Jun 1997. I moved on and graduated with a computing degree in 2001 at the age of 52. This ad was a real tear jerker, one of Mojo's best. Also, I did not receive any letter wishing me all the best for the future from either the port mgr, state mgr or general mgr of QF. When my father died in 1986, I received a personally signed letter written by James Strong 5 days after his passing.

[whodathoughtofit]

This ad was designed to introduce Australia to the brand "Australian Airlines" and gently move them away from the very trusted brand of TAA, hence the line in this commercial "Come and fly the friendly way" which was TAA's tag line. The 2nd ad in this initial campaign's series' was a Granddad looking at his grandkids photos and then he flies to see them.. that was more of a tear jerker than this one..does anyone have it? Sung to the same tune.

[boojjaa]

I started my aircraft engineering apprenticeship with Australian Airlines in 1990 and it was a sad day when it was taken over,i thought the livery on the aircraft was one of the best.

[Fordgirl]

Oh. My. Gods....my dad used to work for TAA but left before they merged with Qantas. I can still remember these adds

[ridgeydidger]

fantastic vid...thanks heaps. does anyone know any more details about this ad? actors' names?

[SgtRaaaa]

i miss aus irlines.... when i was little my dad lodt his job cos of the merger

[psec1970]

any idea who wrote/sung this song. Any help would be appreciated.

[JBofBrisbane]

@psec1970 - I thought it was Rod MacClelland, but I could be mistaken.

[snoopy99990]

They should have made an updated version of this for Qantas

[Greatfox200]

this ad is very reminiscent of the Singapore Airlines ads from this period...

[jason120au]

That is exactly what happened. In the early nightys deregulation happened to the airline industry in Australia, Qantas than took over Australian Airlines routes.

[snoopy99990]

They should have never allowed Qantas to Merge with Australian.I still call Australia home is not the same as this.