Only way to fly

[Russ McClay]

SF => What's the origin of this?  It is never used literally (although
Google =
SF => finds a number of drug-related references--"Mescaline--it's the only
way =
SF => to fly").  Was it an airline slogan, or did it have a pre-airplane =
SF => predecessor?  "Hupmobile!  It's the only way to travel!"

I recall Western Airlines using that slogan years ago.

Here's a data point:

Wally the bird - Commercial spokes-bird for Western Airlines who made
his debut in 1955. Wally is a rather big beaked, plump yellow bird who
sits on the outside tail wings of the Western Airline luxury flights.
Sipping champagne as the airplane sailed through the sky, Wally recites
his famous quotation: "It's the O-O-ONLY way to fly!" (the ad campaign had
him flying both propeller and later jet planes). Wally was designed by
John Urie, assistant  animator at John Hubley Storyboard Productions. Les
Goldman originated the phrase "It's the only way to fly." The campaign was
created by Buchanan Advertising Agency. Reportedly, Wally's derived his
name from the phrase "Western Airlines Loves You."    TRIVIA NOTE:  On
episode #9 "Witch or Wife" on the occult sitcom BEWITCHED, Endora the
witch (Agnes Moorehead) spoofs the Western Airlines ad when she snags a
ride on a jetliner. Of course, instead of reserving a seat onboard, she
sits outside the aircraft at the tail fin and sips champagne.  As the
plane soars through the skies, she looks into the camera and says "It's
the only way to fly"

http://www.tvacres.com/birds_canary_wally.htm

Russ