Lesson learned: Customers want to feel like the companies they interact with know them and appreciate their business. It strengthens consumer confidence, builds brand loyalty, and it makes for a great marketing campaign!

7. West Jet Elaborate Stunt Still Resonates with Customer Service

In another marketing campaign, and one that embodies the holiday spirit, West Jet decided to perform a “Christmas Miracle”.

In December of 2013, the company set out to surprise passengers aboard two flights heading to Calgary. While checking in for the flight, passengers were directed to an electronic check in counter featuring a WestJet Santa videocasted on the monitor. Prompted to make Christmas wishes, each of the passengers made a request until all 250 passengers made the gift list. While the flight was in air, teams of WestJet volunteers rushed out to stores in and around Calgary International Airport, purchased, wrapped, and labeled each of the requested items. As the passengers eventually arrived in Calgary, they headed towards the baggage claim, where they expected to receive their luggage. Instead, they were met with all of the gifts they had requested prior to their flight.

By capturing this moment and the tearful reactions of the passengers who were the focus of this wonderful gesture, WestJet firmly established themselves as a company who cares and as a leader in customer service. The video has since been viewed nearly 45 Million times, reinforcing customer loyalty, and making a lot of customers very happy. Watch how the whole thing unfolded in this video.

Lesson learned: Kind gestures show customers that your business has a human side. It’s a great way to build trust in your brand and, if you have a strong marketing team behind it, develop brand awareness.

8. Customer Service that Goes the Extra Mile

Flying can be fun and exciting, yet also excruciatingly stressful. The Airport Fast Park at Baltimore Washington International Airport is inspiring because they make it their business to add ease to the customer experience for travelers. When you enter the lot, you are immediately greeted by an attendant who escorts you to an available parking spot. The shuttle then meets you at your car and the driver helps load your luggage – even with an umbrella if necessary!

This definitely has impacted the customer experience for air travelers. Don’t just take our word for it, go on and peruse the 4 and 5 star ratings they have on Yelp. See, happy customers do share!

Lesson learned: Adding ease to the customer service experience, whether online or offline makes happy customers and is good for business.

9. The Tweet that Brought the Eats

This next story is inspiring not only for the remarkably quick response, but it will inspire your taste buds as well. Businesses know that manning social media is crucial to deliver excellent customer service in this instant, omni-channel world. Morton’s Steakhouse is a company that not only proved that they are on top of their Twitter game, but they went the extra mile to deliver superb service and a stellar PR opp.

When customer service consultant, author and noted speaker, Peter Shankman was preparing to board a flight, he suddenly realized he was famished and was going to be starving once he landed. Shankman sent out a clever tweet to Morton’s, one of his favorite restaurants asking for a steak delivery when he lands. Morton’s staff drove 23 miles to the airport to greet him with a full meal, see Peter’s shocked expression below:

This unforgettable stunt may not be practical for your business. But sometimes, a little investment in an extraordinary experience can pay dividends for your business.

Lesson learned: Diligent customer service coverage on social media is not only mandatory these days, but can also present unique opportunities to stand out from the crowd.

What Can We Learn From These Good Customer Service Examples?

These customer service examples are not the everyday, standard experiences required to retain customers for life. However, they are inspiring and remind us all of the power of good customer service.