What is typical for a demonstration flight intended to sell commercial planes?
Been plenty of speculation in some quarters that the pilots were trying to show off the plane's capabilities by making a dramatic maneuver, or give passengers (or pretty stewardesses?) a thrilling view of the mountain.
But is that how you ordinarily sell commercial airplanes to airline executives (the purpose of the flight)? Or would you try to demonstrate the plane's capabilities by approximating what passengers would experience, such as a smooth ride, low noise, and other comfort features? And approximating what the cabin crew would experience (e.g., by providing beverage service, as in the photo from the earlier flight).
And perhaps try to impress the beancounters (this plane is so simple to fly, you quickly can convert pilots from other types, or hire straight out of flight school). Or demonstrate the excellent fuel mileage, or whatever impresses beancounters.
Part of making a successful sale is getting the customer to like you. Still, I'm having difficulty equating the object of the flight with the theory of a dramatic maneuver or sightseeing frolic. That seems more suitable for selling a plane to a private pilot.
Or am I just naive? What would be typical for such flights, especially given the particular audience aboard?