VIRGINAtlantic is up to its old tricks again – trying to woo journalists with tempting freebies.
Arriving on Backchat’s desk last week was a very appealing package, large, slightly heavy and mysteriously sized.
After weighing up the evidence, the team frantically tore the packet apart to get at the present within.
And what was it, a model plane, a bust of Richard Branson or even strangely packaged tickets.
No, none of these, just a can of beans and a very light, empty can of beans to boot.
A swift glance at the label on the can quickly solved the reason the airline has been sending Travel Weekly beans in the post.
Printed in large letters on the can was the name Chicago and its world-famous slogan ‘the Windy City’.
A quick consultation with the aviation bod made everything clear – Virgin is launching flights to the city in November and wants Travel Weekly’s support.
But this was not all, on top of the lid was a big stickersaying there was an invitation, not beans, inside the tin to experience the delights of Chicago.
This is the second time this year Virgin has sent Backchat food-type products through the post.
To advertise its new Shanghai service, the airline sent in fortune cookies, with a cheeky message something like ‘Bearded One says Fly Virgin Atlantic’.