Can you believe it’s nearly that time of year again? Yep, Christmas is fast approaching, and now’s about the time you’ll want to sit down with pen and paper and compose your letters to Santa Claus.
But whilst you’re refining your list of ten presents down to five, check out these three awesome Christmas ads that companies in the travel industry have produced in the name of Christmas cheer!
1. Heathrow: Coming Home – The Best Gift of All
Top marks has to go to Heathrow Airport on its cute and cuddly – literally – ad featuring two elderly teddy bears travelling back home to family for the holidays.
The 60 second ad, which is said to have been inspired by the final scene in the 2003 Richard Curtis film ‘Love Actually,’ is the first of Heathrow’s festive campaign and reportedly cost around £1 million (around AUD$1.6 million).
“Throughout their 70 years, Heathrow have specialised in reconnecting people with their loved ones, especially at this time of year, because coming home for Christmas is the best gift of all.”
Heathrow Airport, taken from its YouTube channel.
Since hitting the digital airwaves last week, the ad has gone viral, clocking up more than 7.1 million views, 78K likes, 8.5K comments, and 152K shares so far!
2. WestJet Christmas Miracle: Spirit of Giving
Top marks for charity go to the Canadian airline WestJet who spread some Christmas cheer in the Caribbean back in 2014.
In the heart warming ad, a blue sleigh mysteriously finds itself on a street in the Dominican Republic, much to the delight of the local residents – both kids and adults. After the initial surprise of the sleigh wears off, the locals are then asked what they’d like for Christmas – everything from a doll to a skateboard, from a washing machine, new engine and even a horse are requested to old mate Santa Claus.
The next day, WestJet invites the whole town down to the beach for a Christmas party where everyone gets what they had asked for – even the man who wanted a horse!
The video ended up attracting over 3.5 million views and garnered lots of great karma – and publicity – too.
3. United – Season’s Greetings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgxHvOucZc0
Taking its inspiration from the in-flight safety demonstration so familiar to us all, United Airlines decided to have a little fun last Christmas with a hilarious ad that hit all the right spots.
In the ad, a family are together for a Christmas meal, and grandma and grandpa take it upon themselves to explain to all those in attendance the rules and procedures for a hassle-free Christmas dinner – in a similar vein to having a hassle-free flight!
Some of the advice includes making sure you keep your belt loose and that all the food is cleaned off your face with a napkin before assisting others. Cleverly, the attendees at the dinner are also told to switch their phones to airplane mode, so that they can focus on what really matters: family. You’re just going to have to watch this one to get the full effect!
