6 Imaginary Celeb-Owned Airlines

April 5, 2013— -- I don't know if it's March Madness or what, but lately I've been having bizarre dreams. Not about basketball, though. About airlines. And Oprah. And New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. And the new late-night TV wars.

In these dreams, airlines aren't fronted by boring, corporate entities or faceless suits shoving fees down our throats. Oh, no. Airlines are run by celebrities!

And they do it their way. So buckle up your seat belts as I cue the wavy lines and dreamy harp music.

For more travelnews and insights, view Rick's blog at farecompare.com

I dreamed I flew the following carriers:

Nanny Airlines: Owner, Mayor Michael Bloomberg

I make my way past a rather intimidating flight attendant to take my seat. Then the beverage service begins.

Flight attendant: "What can I get you?"Rick: "A Coke, please. And I'm really thirsty. May I have the whole can?"Flight attendant: [doubles over laughing] "I think you'd prefer the water."Rick: "Actually, I wouldn't."Flight attendant: [Dumps a bottle of water on my seatback tray]Rick: "But, I thought the courts said …"Flight attendant: "You're in Nanny Air's jurisdiction now, sir. Care for a snack? We have celery."

Listlessly, I accept a stalk while thinking, I could kill for a pack of peanuts.

O Air: Owner, Oprah Winfrey

These flight attendants are warm and welcoming and keep asking whether we "feel good about ourselves." The pre-flight safety video is a little boring (it seems to involve a guy on a bike) but it ends on a high note as a flight attendant urges us to reach for the life-vest under our seats. Attached to each vest is a note saying, "You've won a car!" Talk about feeling empowered.

Then the bad news: "Attention, passengers: We don't have as many of you as we hoped," the flight attendant said sadly, "so until we get the ratings, or passenger count goes up, we have to take the cars back." Our substitute prizes are lovely scented candles and something called Spanx. We're told these are some of the airline owner's "favorite things."

Late Night Air: Owner, Jay Leno

The flight attendants are beyond middle-aged. "Button your sweater, hon," a gray-haired crew member chides me. "It may get chilly." Then, during pre-flight announcements, she asks, "Are you all into March Madness? People are talking about who's in, who's out, who's gonna be eliminated. And that's just here at NBC."*

We laugh, even though we're not quite sure what she's talking about.

Then just before landing in Burbank, Calif., the pilot tells us we have to switch out the crew and divert to New York. Odd since things had been going so well. But I assume Late Night knows best.