"We had to do something to make it a special night"

And that is exactly what Spainair did on December 24th to all its 190 passengers traveling from Barcelona to Las Palmas.

Call it "ambush" or "ambient" marketing this perfectly executed low cost operation has been beautifully amplified by the media. 

Covered in gold, silver, red, purple and green candy-stripes and decorated with flamboyant ribbons, the unexpected packages chugged past the astonished passengers. People gradually began to notice their own names on the parcels' gift tags, but nervously watched them go past a couple of times before daring to pick them up.

After awhile, they began to pick the presents up and shake them suspiciously for clues as to their contents. Eventually they tore open the wrapping to reveal gifts for every kind of passenger. For the kids there were teddy bears, giant candy bars, toy horses, cars, trumpets, puppets and costumes; and for the adults, beauty products, cameras and hats.

The passengers directed a spontaneous round of applause at the luggage belt, and each had a heart-warming tale about Spanair, which markets itself as "La de Todos" or "Everyone's Airline", to tell their loved ones at Christmas.

Watch the reaction of the passengers in the video...