Now even AIRPORTS are getting in on the competition for the best Christmas ad as Heathrow releases tearjerker featuring teddy bears coming home for the holidays 

  • The airport's first Christmas campaign celebrates 'the best gift of all' 
  • Poignant film follows two ageing teddy bears as they land at Heathrow
  • Mr and Mrs Bair walk through the airport struggling with their luggage 
  • Ad took three days to make and was filmed while airport was operational 

By Rachael Burford For Mailonline

Published: 16:36 EST, 16 November 2016 | Updated: 09:19 EST, 17 November 2016

Heathrow has become the first airport to get in on the Christmas advert game and predictably, it's a tearjerker. 

The west London airport's first Christmas campaign is titled: 'Coming home - the greatest gift of all', and stars two ageing teddy bears who are making their way home for the festive period.

The poignant film follows Mr and Mrs Bair as they land at Heathrow and are faced with travelling through the busy airport to meet their waiting relatives.

Two elderly teddy bears arrive at the overwhelming Heathrow as the Chas and Dave classic 'I'm Coming Back' plays in the background

The poignant film follows Mr and Mrs Bair as they make their way through all the familiar sites of the airport, including passport control

Looking tired and stressed, the pair travel through the airport to collect their bags and even hold hands as they struggle with the escalator 

Mrs Bair gently wakes her sleeping husband as they come into land and then the stressed couple are tasked with getting to the arrivals lounge.

Struggling with luggage they are seen blearily making their way through the familiar sites of the airport to the Chas and Dave song 'I'm Coming Back'.

On their way the couple pick up last minute gifts from the airport shops before finally emerging into arrivals where they search the waiting crowds.

Bewildered, they scan the crowds until two children are seen running towards them.

In the final moments of the 70-second clip the bears turn into humans who are greeted by their two very excited grandchildren. 

The bewildered bears have trouble navigating the huge building as they try and make their way to baggage reclaim 

The poignant film shows the travel-weary pair struggle as they try to collect their heavy suitcases

Eventually they are given a helping hand by a member of staff. The advert was filmed over three days earlier this year while Heathrow was fully operational

The promo was filmed over three days earlier this year while Heathrow was fully operational.

A special location management team was hired to overcome the complex logistical challenges of filming across multiple terminals, on the airfield and in restricted locations.

The advert, created by French firm Havas, was released on YouTube and social channels this week in aid of the airport's 70th anniversary. 

On their way to the exit the couple pick up some last minute gifts from airport shops

Finally the couple emerge blinking into the arrivals lounge where they are surrounded by hundreds of people

The airport is abuzz with people reuniting for Christmas and the couple scan the waiting crowds for their family members

Heathrow’s Commercial Director Jonathan Coen said: ‘Christmas is my favourite time of year at Heathrow – the airport is abuzz with families and friends reuniting for this special time of year. 

'We love the film and hope the bears’ journey through the airport captures that excitement you feel when walking through Heathrow arrivals into the arms of your loved ones at Christmas.’ 

Two young children sprint towards the pair.The advert was designed to capture the 'excitement you feel when walking through Heathrow arrivals'

In the final moments of the 70 second film the teddy bears are transformed into human grandparents 

The Christmas offering follows Heathrow's first ever TV advert, which aired in the summer when the airport was campaigning to add a third runway. 

Heathrow spent about £1.7million on advertising the benefits of the runway at its site over rival Gatwick.

The Government approved the expansion in October but the decision remains controversial and four local councils and Greenpeace are bringing legal action against the airport.

The promo comes with the strapline: ‘Coming home — the best gift of all'

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