In a heartwarming festive gesture, Air India turned a routine baggage claim into a magical Christmas surprise for passengers arriving at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport. A viral video capturing the moment has spread holiday cheer across social media.
Santa, Gifts, and Cheer Replace Luggage on Carousel
Travellers waiting at the baggage reclaim area were in for a delightful shock. Instead of their suitcases, the conveyor belt began dispensing beautifully wrapped gift boxes. Adding to the festive atmosphere, a Santa Claus roamed the terminal, spreading joy and posing for pictures with the surprised and delighted passengers.
The video was shared on Instagram by digital creator Sanjana Nair, who documented the entire event. She showed that the surprise was made even more special with a personal touch. Each gift box contained a personalised note addressed to the passenger by name. Sanjana's note read, "BLR airport wishes you a Merry Christmas, Sanjana Nair."
The festive spirit was amplified by airport announcements wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, which prompted cheers and smiles throughout the arrival hall.
Social Media Buzz and Passenger Reactions
The viral clip sparked a flurry of reactions online. While many users praised the thoughtful initiative, others shared humorous or envious comments.
One social media user joked about the plight of passengers from other airlines, commenting on the stark contrast. Another curious viewer wanted to know the contents of the gift boxes. A third quipped about the surprise being a clever backup plan for misplaced luggage.
However, not all reactions were uniformly positive. One passenger expressed disappointment, noting they had travelled with Air India on the same day from Vijayawada to Delhi but did not receive any such gift. This was countered by another traveller who confirmed receiving the gift on flight AI 2727, indicating the surprise was specific to certain flights or routes.
Not a One-Time Festive Gesture
This charming activation was not an isolated event. Just a week earlier, Air India passengers arriving in Mumbai from Bengaluru experienced a similar surprise. At Mumbai International Airport's Terminal 2, gift boxes neatly arranged on the carousel awaited travellers.
That initiative, curated by Marriott Bonvoy, also featured personalised hampers. The gifts were thoughtfully tagged with each passenger's seat number, seamlessly turning an ordinary arrival into an extraordinary moment of holiday magic.
These coordinated efforts by Air India highlight a move towards creating memorable customer experiences beyond just transportation. By integrating festive celebrations into the travel journey, the airline has successfully generated positive engagement and warmth during the holiday season, leaving passengers with a story to tell long after their bags have been unpacked.
