WestJet - Flight Light

With WestJet extending its international network, the airline has developed a “Flight Light”, which will let kids watch their parents’ flights in real-time and show them just how close they are to arriving home.

By using live WestJet flight data, the smart nightlight projects the path of a loved one’s flight onto their child’s bedroom ceiling.

Synced through a specifically-designed Flight Light App on a mobile device before take-off, parents can enter their flight number into the app to provide the Flight Light with live data including their arrival and departure times.

Parents will also be able to stay connected by sending messages and emojis to the Flight Light which will be projected in real-time onto the ceiling.

The idea of the WestJet Flight Light is actually very similar to an initiative launched by KLM three years ago - The KLM Night Light. The KLM promotional video had many of the same elements as the WestJet one. Both involved a mother (rather than the stereotype of the businessman Dad) going away on business, while a child waits for her return.

However, the functionality of the KLM light is much simpler. It doesn’t display the flight path like the WestJet Flight Light, though it does count down the days until a family member comes home from business.