Aviation

WestJet employee’s act of kindness Calgary man with dying sister

A WestJet employee is receiving an outpouring of praise after she helped reunite a man with his dying sister.

Kellie Martin took to Facebook last week to commend Susan, a WestJet employee she spoke to over the phone, for her “selfless” actions.

Martin said she had been trying to call the airline for almost ten hours when she finally got in touch with someone. She had called to ask if WestJet had any compassionate discount rates because her friend Judy was terminally ill with cancer — her brother Andrew wanted to fly from Calgary to Ottawa to be with her.

“She said that they didn’t have anything for compassionate flights, it was a bereavement thing that they had and it was a 15 per cent discount but it was seven days before a funeral or seven days after a funeral and I said ‘Well it’s not for a funeral, however it is for a terminally ill person,’” Martin wrote.

She said she further explained the situation, noting she really wanted Andrew to be able to be with his family but he couldn’t afford the expensive ticket price.

“It was killing him not being able to be there with the rest of his siblings,” she said.

Martin told HuffPost Canada that Susan offered her two of her “buddy passes.” They’re vouchers typically given to WestJet employees to share with friends and family, but there’s no restriction on who they can be given to.

The buddy passes reduced the cost of Andrew’s flight from nearly $1,300 to $136 — in other words, he just had to cover the taxes.

It was killing him not being able to be there with the rest of his siblings.Kellie Martin

Martin said Susan’s action brought her to tears.

“She didn’t do it to get any praise or any recognition…she had no idea I was going to write that note.”

She stayed on the line with the WestJet employee and they booked the flight for Andrew.

“I just broke down because I couldn’t even believe that a stranger was going to do that and give us two of her passes,” she said. “She didn’t ask for proof or anything. I could’ve been lying.”

Andrew cried when he heard the news, she said.

“I don’t think he stopped crying….he was just so thankful. He just didn’t think that he would get to be there with his sister,” she said.

Also on HuffPost:

Aviation

Qatar Airways’ AI Campaign Lets Passengers Star in Their Own Film

Doha, Qatar – Qatar Airways has introduced a groundbreaking global film, ‘AI Adventure,’ which leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance its dedication to creating unparalleled, immersive experiences for its customers.

In a pioneering move, the campaign allows viewers to star in the film using advanced AI technology that integrates their likeness into the storyline. This innovative approach underscores the airline’s commitment to placing its customers at the center of its experiences.

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The campaign offers viewers the chance to choose from various scenes and assume leading roles within the film. The advanced AI ensures that the characters accurately reflect the viewer’s appearance, adjusting to their facial features and skin tone.

To experience the emotive AI adventure, visit flyqatar.com or watch the film on the Qatar Airways YouTube channel.

For those interested in booking a journey with Qatar Airways, the new campaign highlights the ease of making Qatar Airways reservations and Qatar Airways ticket booking.

To explore more, you can use Qatar Airways booking services or check out options with QR airlines.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, commented: “At Qatar Airways, we aim not just to meet but to exceed customer expectations by anticipating their needs and creating deeply resonant experiences.

This new brand campaign is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.”

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Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, added: “Our latest campaign, featuring unprecedented AI capabilities in the airline industry, highlights our innovative spirit and customer-focused approach.

It transforms every journey into a unique adventure, proving that dreams have no limits.”

Qatar Airways Senior Vice President of Global Marketing & Corporate Communications, Mr. Babar Rahman, stated:

“This campaign exemplifies our vision as a leader in innovation. By offering a personalized brand experience where everyone can star, we’ve created meaningful connections with our audience, ensuring each moment is memorable.”