The current economic situation has created a bit of a marketing conundrum for the airlines. How do you get people to spend their hard-earned money on leisure travel when so many are concerned about their future financial security?

Well, two carriers have taken two very different approaches. One has chosen to “work” the trend and appeal to the idea of security, while the other has chosen to go against the grain by expanding service and targeting specific markets and travelers in “small-town America.”

JetBlue has launched a program that provides refunds for travelers who pay for airfare, but are then laid off from their jobs before the flight:

“JetBlue launched the program not because customers were asking for refunds, but because the airline has noticed that passengers are waiting to the last minute to buy tickets, a sign of nervousness about their finances.” (from Wall Street Journal)

We’ve seen similar moves made in other industries. The “Hyundai Assurance Program” allows you to “return your vehicle and walk away from your loan obligation” if you purchase a car and are then laid off.

While JetBlue, Hyundai, and others draw on people’s uneasiness about the future, Allegiant Air is going the other way. Based on their operating margin, Allegiant was the most profitable domestic carrier in 2008, and they’re going into 2009 with expansion on their minds. They’ve increased service to/from a range of smaller cities throughout the country:

“Maurice Gallagher Jr., Allegiant’s chief executive, says he’s convinced that despite the uncertain economy, small-town Americans will continue to buy the discretionary getaways that are Allegiant’s specialty. ‘We’re just not seeing the deterioration [in demand] that other people are seeing,’ he says.” (from Wall Street Journal)

So, what do folks in smaller towns like Peoria and Elmira, as well as big cities like Chicago and New York, want from their airlines? Financial security, or the promise of a quick getaway? Let us know which (if either) recession marketing plan appeals to you.

I feel for Las Vegas: the convention business there is taking a big hit.

State Farm agents are bowing out of their October dates, and the Automotive Market Research Council will be skipping its March gathering.

But the one that really hurts is the pull-out by Goldman Sachs. No, they didn’t cancel their conference – they moved it — to San Francisco:

“…banking giant Goldman Sachs also canceled a planned event at Mandalay Bay. The company, which received $10 billion in taxpayer money, moved the event to San Francisco, a city with even pricier hotel rooms and higher average airfares.” (from Las Vegas Review Journal)

An official with Mandalay Bay parent company MGM Mirage told the Associated Press the move included a $600,000 cancellation fee.

Hmm. So they moved to a more expensive city (with more expensive food) to do, what? Show that they’re taking this bailout business seriously?

Here’s the problem, I think: the very name, “Las Vegas” has become synonymous with excess – with free-spending junketeers. Never mind that in reality, it’s a big-value destination – some, it seems, would apparently rather pay more, simply for appearances’ sake. As further reported in the Review Journal, Vegas junkets have become a favorite target of politicians as of late.

Luckily, the average traveler doesn’t care about appearances – and can now take full advantage of all those great Las Vegas hotel rooms -at heavily discounted prices.