Flying the friendly skies: Twitter erupts over X-rated @USAirways tweet
US Airways tweeted out an extremely explicit photo today featuring a lady with a toy airplane sticking out of a certain place where planes have no business being stuck.
The airline has since deleted the graphic image and apologized — it was apparently the result of a copy and paste error — although you can find plenty of (extremely NSFW) screenshots of course, because the Internet never forgets.
We apologize for an inappropriate image recently shared as a link in one of our responses. We’ve removed the tweet and are investigating.
— US Airways (@USAirways) April 14, 2014
And for once, people aren’t mad about a brand social media slip-up. Just look at some of the responses to the airline’s apology:
US Airways is currently a top trending topic on Twitter. According to data from Sysomos, as of 4 pm there have been 36,801 mentions of the airline, compared to its usual average of about 1,000 mentions a day.
Beyond simply replying to the apology tweet, the denizens of Twitter had a field day making jokes at the airline’s expense. Here are some of our favorite tweets today:
[JOKE ABOUT VIRGIN AIRLINES] — Richard Lawson (@rilaws) April 14, 2014
Right now CNN is on the phone with @USAirways. “I heard you found a plane?” — Michele Catalano (@inthefade) April 14, 2014
Can you think of worse job than social media person for US Airlines anyway? This firing is gonna be the best thing to ever happen to them. — Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) April 14, 2014
I guess I am more likely to fly US now, so good job brand team — Sam Faulkner Biddle (@samfbiddle) April 14, 2014
this is the best @usairways experience I have ever had — Holly Anderson (@HollyAnderson) April 14, 2014
.@USAirways I bet that lady would enjoy it a bit more if there were some turbulence — Brian Essbe (@SortaBad) April 14, 2014
What The US Airways Tweet Gets Wrong About Plane Travel — Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) April 14, 2014
Would that be considered getting lost in the Bermuda Triangle? #usairways
And the plane, hopefully. RT @USAirways: We apologize for an inappropriate image shared in one of our responses. We’ve removed the tweet. — Chris Burke (@ChrisBurke_SI) April 14, 2014
Would that be considered getting lost in the Bermuda Triangle? #usairways
— #RIPConnie (@harv14) April 14, 2014
just wait till you see what amtrak tweets — E McMorris-Santoro (@EvanMcSan) April 14, 2014
Dear @USAirways, just blame it on Heartbleed. Everyone will believe you.
— Mat Honan (@mat) April 14, 2014
actual @USairways slogans: “Now our smile is even wider” “USAir Begins With You” “Where I Fly the Flag” https://t.co/tZJeK1qThq
— brian braiker (@slarkpope) April 14, 2014
US Airways is in deep trouble clearly no protection was used customers will be pregnant with rage
— T.C. (@LaughingStoic) April 14, 2014
Seems @USAirways finally deleted those tweets. Here’s a completely safe for work re-enactment. I promise, it’s safe. pic.twitter.com/4gc6HUewcr
— Zach Woosley (@GingeFC) April 14, 2014
I thought that’s how planes got born.
— Mat Johnson (@mat_johnson) April 14, 2014
That photo was gross, but it looks more comfortable than a typical @USAirways coach seat.
— John Gruber (@gruber) April 14, 2014
More in Marketing
What TikTok’s e-commerce launch could mean for marketers and content creators
TikTok has officially launched its new e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop, earlier this month on August 1. Using the new e-commerce platform, brands and creators can sell products directly on the platform, potentially creating new revenue streams, and tap into the short-form video platform’s growing popularity.
‘The influencer industry can be really vile’: Confessions of an influencer marketer on the industry’s unfair hiring practices
While the influencer industry might sound exciting and like it’s full of opportunities, one marketer can vouch for the horrific scenarios that still take place behind the scenes.
Digiday+ Research: Marketers said revenue grew in the last year, with more growth expected ahead
After a tumultuous 12 months, marketers are getting a clear picture of how they really did during a time of true uncertainty. And, as it turns out, it wasn’t all that bad.
Ad position: web_bfu