Lets put this out there first – the airline industry can be extremely boring and repetitive (the recent example over the excitement of American Airlines reintroducing snacks is just one thing that flags up on my radar that I file under “That it?’).
Icelandair though… has always been slightly different.
It’s been promoting Iceland as a stopover point between Europe and North Americas (and vice-versa) as a benefit over miles… and offering the stopover free of charge for up to seven nights.
Well now Icelandair introduce something rather interesting – A STOPOVER BUDDY!
The idea is that you can book an Icelandair Stopover buddy to travel with whilst in Iceland. The Buddy you can book is an actual Icelandair employee as opposed to a tour guide.
Here’s the introductory video:
There are all sorts of buddies including:
Adventure Buddies!
There are also:
- Culture Buddies
- Food Buddies
- Health Buddies
- Lifestyle Buddies
- Nature Buddies
Almost something for everyone.
The Buddy Service is provided free of charge for one day, with any activities food expenses and other items at an additional cost.
Full details at http://www.icelandair.us/stopover-buddy/
There are terms and conditions – at http://www.icelandair.co.uk/stopover-buddy/terms-and-conditions/ with an interesting clause that states:
Icelandair has the right to use any material which will be acquired during the Icelandair Stopover Buddy Program, such as videos, blog information and photographs. The Customer grants Icelandair exclusive right to use the material from the Icelandair Stopover Buddy Program for marketing purposes at Icelandair’s sole discretion.
If no buddy is available, in the T&C’s Icelandair states:
In the event that a Stopover Buddy is not available, the Customer will be sent an alternative E-Buddy Program which includes recommendations and tips from Buddies on how to enjoy their Stopover in Iceland, with a discount code for a partner travel agency for certain activities.
Lets be honest – these are not big stopping points for you to get out of an airport, and enjoy Iceland.
Stopover buddy operates until 30th April 2016 so you do have limited time to get your bookings in.
I stated at the beginning of this article that airlines can be boring and repetitive, throwing out new snacks as a good thing, whilst failing to innovate their products or ground service.
Yet, here we have Icelandair who are taking pride in their country and employees and showing off Iceland and all its wonder to visitors and improve the passenger experience.
And that’s pretty special in my book.
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