Some people have all the luck, and most recently, it seems like those people just happened to be on a Southwest flight from Dallas to San Diego. According to report by IGN, a Southwest Airlines flight from Dallas Love Field Airport to San Diego International Airport, which was mostly comprised of passengers attending San Diego Comic-Con, were each given a free Nintendo Switch and a copy of the recently released Super Mario Maker 2. Yes, you read that right. Each and every passenger on the flight was just handed a free Switch and game to keep.
The giveaway is apparently a promotion based on Nintendo being the “official video game partner” of Southwest, which began right before the holiday season in 2013. The recent giveaway is not the first time Southwest passengers have been surprised by free Nintendo console. Nintendo and Southwest gave every passenger on a flight from New Orleans to Dallas Love Field free WiiU consoles shortly after their partnership began.
The lucky passengers on the flight were apparently tipped off that something was happening based on their flight crew wearing the trademark Mario Maker hardhat. Passengers were also able to play a custom Southwest Airlines Mario Maker level, called Southwest Super Sky Challenge, with their new console and game. You can give the level a go for yourself with the level code 39C-LQR-WLF.
A motive behind the promotion is currently unknown, but one could speculate that it may have to do with generating brand hype for the newly announced Nintendo Switch Lite launching in September. It is also unclear whether or not this Switch giveaway was a one-time event, or if Nintendo and Southwest plan on more giveaways in the near future. Though if you’re headed to San Diego Comic-Con, better book your flight with Southwest just to be safe!