Aerial Advertising: A Guide to Airplane Banners, Skywriting, Drones and More

Aerial advertising encompasses any type of marketing that happens in the sky — from airplanes towing banners to drones, blimps, skywriting, and even floating foam logos (“flogos”). It’s a standout choice for brands that want to cut through cluttered advertising channels and grab attention in a bold, unexpected way.Aerial advertising dates back to the early 20th century. Its long-standing appeal lies in its simplicity, visibility, and novelty. While newer forms like drone light shows are gaining popularity, even classic banner towing remains highly effective — especially when deployed in the right environment.Although it’s a smaller slice of the outdoor advertising world, aerial media still punches above its weight when it comes to impressions and memorability. That’s why advertisers keep coming back — from beach campaigns and sporting events to Coachella flyovers and surprise proposals.This guide covers everything from costs and formats to weather considerations and high-performing ad types.

Airplane Banner Towing Cost

Banner towing remains one of the most affordable and accessible aerial ad options — often cheaper than a billboard in major markets like NYC or LA. Pricing typically starts at $7,000 to $9,000 for a single-day campaign, with a 2-hour flight minimum. This includes:

• Ferry fees: Flying the aircraft to the target location
• Flight time: The duration of your message in the sky
• Banner creation: Your logo, tagline, or full billboard-style message

Advertisers can choose:

• Logo boards: A simple, cost-effective banner with your name and a short message
• Aerial billboards: Larger, colorful designs that mimic traditional billboards

New tech lets you add QR codes or custom landing pages to track engagement — bridging the physical and digital experience.

What Type of Ads Work for Airplane Banners?

The best airplane banners are short, bold, and easy to read. Think of them as a flying tweet: short headline, simple logo, clear call-to-action. Text-only banners are the most popular, but some campaigns now include LED-lit boards or illuminated messages for nighttime exposure — though these cost more due to power needs and special permits.

Want a bigger splash? Helicopter banners allow for larger visuals and slower passes at lower altitudes. Some even feature digital displays or live video feeds.Social integration is on the rise. Adding hashtags or @handles invites viewers to share and engage in real time.

Weather Restrictions for Skywriting

Skywriting is eye-catching and shareable — but weather-sensitive. It requires clear skies, low wind, and moderate humidity to be effective. If visibility isn’t ideal, messages may blur quickly or disappear before they land.For more control and reliability, advertisers can explore skytyping (a series of planes printing large-scale messages in dot matrix format) or pivot to drone formations that operate in more variable conditions.

How Much Does Skywriting Cost?

Skywriting starts around $4,000 to $5,000 for a one-time message — making it more affordable than other aerial formats. Pricing includes ferry fees, pilot costs, and message rendering in the sky.Messages typically last 5–10 minutes depending on weather. They’re great for proposals, local promotions, or event launches.Want nighttime impact? Laser projection is gaining popularity. Brands can project text or animations onto clouds or buildings — perfect for city takeovers.

The Ins and Outs of Flogos

Flogos — floating logos made of helium-infused foam — are ideal for outdoor festivals, sports events, and brand activations. They create a dreamlike effect, drifting slowly upward while catching eyes below.Add on-ground elements like photo ops or swag giveaways, and you’ve got a full-on experiential campaign.

The New Kid: Drone Advertising

Drone ads are evolving fast. What began as flying banners has transformed into highly choreographed light shows that form brand logos, symbols, or text in midair. With 200+ drones working in sync, these displays are as much performance as advertisement.Used at events like the Super Bowl, Coachella, and brand launches, drone shows dominate social media — driving earned impressions long after the event ends.Bonus: some setups allow for giveaway drops (coupons, samples) from low-hovering drones — a new twist on street team marketing.

Best Places to Fly Aerial Ads

To make aerial advertising work, go where the people are. The best environments include:

• Beaches: High foot traffic, open skies, and minimal distractions make coastal areas ideal — especially summer weekends.
• Music Festivals: Perfect for drone shows, helicopter flyovers, and creative messaging. Think Lollapalooza, Burning Man, ACL.
• Sporting Events: Super Bowl, college bowl games, and Formula 1 races are gold mines for attention.
• Theme Parks or Tourist Areas: Catch relaxed audiences who are more receptive to memorable branding moments.
• City Centers: Big metro areas like NYC, LA, Miami, and Vegas offer large, diverse audiences and maximize ROI.