We always thought Southwest's red/blue/yellow/peach-ish color scheme was the friendly sky's most offensive image.
But AirTran flight attendants beg to differ.
As part of their partnership with "Sports Illustrated," the Orland-based airline has emblazoned one of their Boeing 737 jets with a woman in a strapless black swimsuit and stilettos. In SI's defense, at least it's a one-piece.
"It is our feeling that this is not only contrary to the family image that this company tries to promote," wrote the Association of Flight Attendants in a memo to their members, "but also potentially offensive to their female employees, the majority of their flight attendants who will have to work on this aircraft."
The message went on to say that the image "creates a potential for verbal abuse by male passengers."
AirTran spokesman Christopher White, however, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that the image was "tastefully done" and "family-friendly." Perhaps if said family is this one.
"We have the highest respect for all of our crew members, male and female," said White, who wants the picture to invoke a World War II-style pin-up. That's real family-friendly.
Anyway, the promotion will be over soon, the image will be taken off, and, well, AirTran flight attendants can start complaining about more offensive things, like having to wear this.
