Microsoft and Virgin Atlantic team up to find Santa at 35000 feet

Many companies – Microsoft included – tend to put some effort into the holiday spirit when December rolls around, whether it be to gain the favor of the masses or just to improve employee morale.  It’s not often, however, that companies go as far as to stage their holiday celebrations simultaneously on two planes, flying from opposite sides of the world at 35,000 feet. This year, Virgin Atlantic and Microsoft teamed up to make that sort of holiday magic become a reality.

Virgin Atlantic, with help from @Microsoft has said a special thanks to its customers this Christmas #thankyoudeerhttps://t.co/eWKOLX9Hfw

— virginatlantic (@VirginAtlantic) December 23, 2015

Microsoft and Virgin Atlantic have come together to work on this holiday project, which got two Virgin Atlantic flights – one from Shanghai, one from London – connected midair via WIFI to play an ARG (Augmented Reality Game) where their goal was to find Santa, and help him get back on track for the holiday. The game came as part of an effort from Virgin Atlantic to say “Thank you, deer” to their customers.
The ARG had the Virgin Atlantic customers working together from their respective planes to solve clues so as to find Santa, and eventually they were able to bring him on board the plane with them. The passengers of each plane were handed out Christmas presents to thank them for playing along, as well as some cards that read “Thank you, deer.”

.@VirginAtlantic happy to help! https://t.co/DCUgkf5Y0Y

— Microsoft (@Microsoft) December 23, 2015

The game is a step up from the sorts of things that many companies have been doing in order to celebrate the holidays and even one-ups previous efforts from Microsoft. It’s refreshing to see companies like Virgin Atlantic and Microsoft come together to make a real effort to bring the holiday spirit to us in new and exciting ways – more than that, it’s great to know that these two companies are almost certainly going to be raising the bar yet again next year.