April Fools - WestJet introduces state-of-the-art money-saving feature

http://westjet.com/helium - April 1, 2011 - WestJet today introduced a new state-of-the-art money-saving feature on board all flights aimed at countering the rising price of jet fuel. Effective today, WestJet will be using air mixed with helium in the ventilation system to lighten the weight of the aircraft.

Helium is approximately 85 per cent lighter than nitrogen, which accounts for 80 per cent of the air we breathe. With a maximum takeoff weight of more than 150,000 pounds, adding helium to the air mix will provide fuel savings of approximately three to four per cent on board WestJet's Boeing Next-Generation 737s. This will, in turn, allow WestJet to pass the savings on to its guests.

"As a low-cost airline, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to keep our costs low," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet's Vice-President, Communications and Community Relations. "We have been working with our aviation partners to determine the feasibility of this initiative and we are every excited that it has come to fruition."
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[VancouverFlights]

Very well done. I've shown this to a few family members and we've all had a good laugh. Interesting how the voice increases in pitch but the body movements stay fairly normal. Must have had to move slowly while filming that portion of the video.

[WestJet]

Thanks! We don't want to give away too many secrets about how we did this, but our Creative Services team is very talented at changing the pitch of Richard's voice digitally. Trying to pull it off by having him move in slow motion would have been very challenging!

[mikehawk646]

I flew vancover to Winnipeg on west jet and I lost my sunglasses... :(

[nater51]

Maybe airlines should do this, get everyone to black out and fall asleep = quick flight for passengers + easy flight for flight attendants.

[SirSmarty1]

Lol

[Paolo Mendoza]

Lol

[CaBFEntertainment]

does helium actually make you move slower? is it because of gravity would make you slower?

[Will Hoffman]

Maybe they should use Nitrous Oxide, have a good laugh. haha.

[josh kueh]

other one better



[bored1980]

Ryan Air took this seriously and have been doing this for months already.

[TheKyle5678]

Im so glad a plane won't fly over my house and everyone is laughing their head off in a weard sound

[survivalofone]

Using helium would probably force people to enjoy their flight.

[KIZERVONZINGER]

I love all of the sense of humor this west jet has!!! We need more of it Airlines are so stuffy today!!!!