Spirit Airlines apparently wants to cut through the clutter with its new marketing campaign. Metro Detroit’s second largest carrier recently launched the tagline: “Want an extra six inches?” to promote its Spirit Plus business class seating. The seats offer an additional half foot of legroom over coach class. In case anybody missed the implication, the campaign also features the line, “Admit it … Size DOES matter!” and this gem, “Admit it … Bigger IS better!”

The market blitz includes a “Spirit General Warning” that takes off on recent ads for the Levitra erectile dysfunction drug: “Enjoying an extra six inches for more than four hours does not require you to contact your doctor.”

The airline is running a contest asking customers to submit their own taglines. While at least a few customers have questioned whether the campaign is in good taste, Barry Biffle, Spirit’s chief marketing officer, said thousands of customers of have already registered online for the program at www.xtra6inches.com. “The overall response from customers,” he said, “is fantastic.”

~Alyx