Southwest Airlines surprised all of its passengers on a single flight today with a free Nintendo Switch unit along with a copy of Super Mario Maker 2.
According to Funimation social media manager Nicholas Friedman, who was en route to San Diego Comic-Con from Dallas, Southwest flight attendants donning Super Mario Maker-themed hard hats began handing out free Switch units to everyone aboard the flight. He said the Switch consoles are accompanied by a custom Mario Maker Southwest Airlines level.
They just gave every person on board a free Nintendo Switch and Super Mario Maker 2!!! #SouthwestxNintendo pic.twitter.com/BUPY3IdTOS
— Nicholas Friedman @ SDCC (@NMFreed) July 17, 2019
They’re passing out Nintendo Switch consoles loaded with a custom Mario Maker Southwest Airlines level. If you play, you’re entered to win a Switch, $500 @SouthwestAir GC and Super Mario Maker 2!
— Nicholas Friedman @ SDCC (@NMFreed) July 17, 2019
Although not everyone on the flight was intending to go to San Diego Comic-Con, the fact that they all got a free Nintendo Switch in commemoration of the show is reminiscent of Oprah Winfrey handing everyone in the audience a car.
One of my favorite @SouthwestAir moments ever – everyone on board holding up their tickets for a new #Nintendo switch! Thanks @NintendoAmerica for such a fun flight!!! #SouthwestxNintendo #SuperMarioMaker2 #SouthwestHeart #ad pic.twitter.com/Ikm6DYaLYe
— Britni Vigil (@PlayPartyPlan) July 17, 2019
@NintendoAmerica and @SouthwestAir with the win today! Gave everyone on our flight from DFW to SAN a free Switch with a copy of #SuperMarioMaker2 #GOAT #SDCC #SDCC19 #SouthwestxNintendo #Nintendo pic.twitter.com/i2VBLqOKFM
— Blas @ SDCC (@Blasdetejas) July 17, 2019
Nintendo and Southwest began collaborating in 2013 when Nintendo was dubbed the airline’s “official video game partner.” That year, they gave a free Wii U and a copy of Super Mario Bros. U to passengers flying from New Orleans to Dallas. In 2016, they surprised passengers flying from Dallas to Los Angeles with a free Nintendo 3DS XL and a copy of the 3DS version of Super Mario Maker.
The latest Nintendo Switch giveaway happens to coincide with this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, where Nintendo will host a booth with demos of Marvel’s Switch-exclusive title Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order.
If you’re planning on attending San Diego Comic-Con 2019 and will be flying with Southwest this weekend, you might wanna keep an eye out for any flight attendants wearing Mario Maker construction hats. There’s no word if Nintendo and Southwest will continue giving away Switch systems for the duration of the biggest event of the season.
