Passengers on WestJet flights from Toronto and Hamilton Canada heading to Calgary were treated to a nice surprise when the landed Parade.com reported Thursday.
"This year, we wanted to turn our holiday campaign into a tradition by doing something that's never been done before," said Richard Bartrem, WestJet vice president of communications and community relations. "Inspired by the notion of real-time giving, we wanted to surprise our guests with meaningful, personalized gifts when they least expected them. Being able to show our guests how much we care with gift-giving, a tried and true holiday tradition, resonates with WestJetters as much as our guests."
The airline put screens at the Toronto Pearson International and Hamilton International airport, and Hamilton Canada with a digital santa who asked travelers what they wanted for Christmas after they registered for the opportunity with their boarding pass.
"A big screen TV," one couple said. "New socks and underwear," another passenger said.
One-hundred and fifty WestJet employees then gathered, wrapped, and sent through the gifts the passengers had requested sending the items down the conveyor belt after they arrived in the baggage claim area in Calgary. Hot chocolate was also served.
The initiative was part of charity work the airline does with WestJet Cares of Kids, who committed to give flights to families who needed them the most via Ronald McDonald House Charities should a viral video obtain 200,000 hits on YouTube. The video had far exceeded this Wednesday.
"We're pretty thrilled," Richard Bartrem, WestJet vice president of communications and community relations told Forbes. "The community is doing the sharing. It's something they want to talk about. For a traditional commercial, you could spend well into the mid-six figures for the production alone."
The video has appeared on the news in the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Poland, and Malaysia Forbes reported.
