By: Sharon Aron Baron
More than 250 unsuspecting passengers on Calgary-bound flights were part of a “Christmas miracle” put on by WestJet. With over six million YouTube views and counting, this video will warm your heart, and may be the best corporate marketing video of the season.
The Calgary-based airline had a virtual Santa ask passengers what they wanted for Christmas as they scanned their boarding passes at a kiosk in Toronto and Hamilton according to CBCNews in Calgary.
“In early August, we sat down with our friends at studio m and started brainstorming what ‘giving’ looked like at its best. We wanted to do something big, exciting and fresh. Fast forward three months and, with the help of 175 WestJet volunteers, three airports and Santa himself, we made a Christmas miracle happen for more than 250 guests on two Calgary-bound flights. – WestJet Airlines Statement
While the flights were en route, 175 WestJet volunteers gathered gifts from Best Buy and CrossIron Mills. Once at the Calgary International Airport, passengers’ asked-for items started filling up the baggage carousel.
The airline tried a similar stunt last year, when passengers going from Calgary to Toronto were surprised by a flash mob of singing and dancing elves.