The stunt was part of a longer-running campaign to have 23 April officially recognised as a Bank Holiday called National William Shakespeare Day.
The campaign, which is backed by the actress Emma Thompson and Bloomsbury Publishing, is aiming to get enough signatures to produce a debate in Parliament.
EasyJet's support over the past month has included painting Shakespeare's image on the side of a plane, collecting signatures for the petition and offering free Shakespeare performances at UK airports.
How I See It
Mark Stringer, founder, Pretty Green
We love a National Day more than we love a world record and World Shakespeare Day combined with a national holiday is a really lovely idea. However, easyJet championing the celebration of 450 years? I'm not sure I immediately see the natural link between Luton, orange and the Bard.
The campaign is lovely, and it has all the right ingredients: a decorated plane travelling to Verona; being entertained with some of his most famous works in an attempt to set a world record, a petition to create a national Bank Holiday involving Stratford-upon-Avon MP Nadhim Zahawi, to force a debate in Parliament.
I like the creative execution, and the fact they are celebrating someone who’s permeated all our collective consciousness since childhood. However, I struggle not to see this as a commercial hijacking by a commercial airline trying to flog tickets to Verona as opposed to a brand that truly believes in National Shakespeare Day. At least it’s better than National easyJet Sausage Week.
