Qantas has launched Qantas Out Of Office,a new service that replaces the generic out of auto email reply into a real-time photographic travel journal.
Qantas Out of Office connects an email address with Instagram and updates the auto reply message with holiday Instagram photos that are tagged with the hashtag #qantasoutofoffice.
To set it up, people need to go to qantasoutofoffice.com, connect their Instagram account and email address, enter dates they are out of the office, where they are travelling to, and a simple message.
Qantas Out of Office is a unique and clever platform for an airline because most people who are travelling will activate their out of office as their final gesture before jetting off.
The application features only the photos tagged with #qantasoutofoffice, so people can choose which photos make up their auto reply message. The service also works with private Instagram accounts.
Qantas Out of Office is available globally to anyone with Hotmail and Gmail, including other domains that use the Gmail inbox.
The auto reply message for people using email through the Outlook desktop application, will feature a link that takes recipients to a webpage collection of their Instagrammed holiday photos.
Qantas Group Executive Brand, Marketing & Corporate Affairs Olivia Wirth:
“The traditional out of office message can be both generic and impersonal in nature and from our research, sixty percent of employees say they appreciate receiving something more creative.
“We know that tips from friends and colleagues are the highest driver for people when choosing their next holiday destination, so we saw an opportunity to encourage travel through the millions of out of office emails being sent every day.
“There’s no better real-time platform than Instagram to promote global travel, especially when combined with Qantas’ vast domestic and international network which offers endless opportunities for original and inspirational images.
“Whether it’s a snap of a traveller relaxing under a palm tree in the Whitsundays or sampling dumplings in Hong Kong, the images will create travel envy and travel aspirations.”
Instagram Brand Development Lead, Australia and New Zealand Sophie Blachford:
“With this new service, moments from the holiday you’re on will provide colour and personalisation to what’s otherwise a rather mundane computer generated email.”
How many passengers will use this is debatable. I haven’t had an Out of Office message from anyone for about a decade. And it is only for now on Instagram.
About Qantas
Founded in 1920, Qantas is the flag carrier airline of Australia and its largest airline by fleet size, international flights and international destinations.
Routes: 22 airports in Australia, 5 to Europe, 11 to North America, 1 in Africa (Johannesburg), 1 Middle East (Dubai), 11 in Asia, 7 in New Zealand and South Pacific
Fleet: Qantas operates a mixed Airbus and Boeing fleet.
- 12 Airbus A380
- 10 Airbus A330 -300
- 18 Airbus A330 – 200
- 67 Boeing 737 – 800
- 11 Boeing 747 – 400
Passenger Numbers: about 6 million international
Alliance: oneworld
N.B. Image credit: Qantas
