Johannesburg, 27 November 2024 – In true LIFT style, the airline welcomed the festive season with open arms and belly laughs, as passengers and crew were treated to LIFT’s latest silent performance in the sky – a comedy show! This time LIFT did it a little differently and instead of music, passengers were treated to jokes! 

Passengers on the 13h00 flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg, and on the 16h00 flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town, were treated to a special guest performance from one of South Africa’s leading and award winning comic performers, Alan Committie.

“Alan is well known and loved by South Africans, and a 2023 Comics Choice Awards HALL OF FAME recipient; we thought our passengers would appreciate a few laughs as we head into the festive season,” explains Charlene Meltz, LIFT Chief Marketing Officer. Committie is renowned for his eight year stint as the star of the Broadway hit Defending the Caveman and racked up 963 performances around South Africa, so partnering with him was definitely an easy choice for LIFT,” Meltz said.

“At LIFT we believe the sky isn’t the limit, we simply love bringing amazing surprises to our passengers and bringing exciting collabs to life,” says Meltz. Since launch, LIFT has shown its commitment to supporting South African talent and business, through its various partnerships with local brands and through its support of local talent. 

This year alone, LIFT has partnered with the cast of MAMMA MIA! for their onboard promo video performance, with author Jo Watson for a book launch at 36 000 feet and Grumpy Snacks to improve the onboard experience of passengers.. Most recently the airline collaborated with Checkers Sixty60 to reveal the teal, Checkers Sixty60 co-branded aircraft, emblazoned with “Sixty60” on its sides and “Checkers” on its belly.

“We love that we can collaborate and work with some of our country’s best local brands, artists, musicians and comedians. We’re proud to help create a springboard for South African talent and be a supporter of South African brands. It goes hand in hand with our goal of creating an elevated experience for our passengers and making sure they disembark having had a great flight,” says Meltz.

“Thanks to our efforts to elevate the flying experience for our passengers, and to our amazing crew, we were recently awarded the title of ‘Best Low Cost Airline in Africa’ at the 2024 World Airline Awards hosted by Skytrax. We’re proud to see our efforts have made a difference for our passengers,” says Meltz. The World Airline Awards are wholly independent and impartial, and all costs of the Survey and Awards event are paid by Skytrax – airlines do not pay any entry or registration fee, making the awards true, earned awards. 

Alan Committie can be seen in his brand new upcoming stand up show “Comedy Gold” which runs over the festive season in Cape Town at Theatre on the Bay from December 18th to February 8th. This is his 27th solo show in the last 26 years and promises more of his madcap humour and physical hi-jinx. Early in 2025 he transfers the comedy to Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre in Joburg from the 19th February to the 16th of March. Tickets are available through Webtickets.

As LIFT continues bringing the fun back to flying, watch this space for upcoming festive activations and collaborations!