Nov 24, 2010 13:07 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has partnered with Southwest Airlines for a new holiday promotion designed to offer users a chance to win Windows 7 Ultimate copies as well as a range of additional prizes and get holiday pictures free of charge.

With Holiday Photos on the Fly the two companies aim to start spreading Christmas cheer early, in fact, as early as November 23rd, the first day of the promotion.

There are many ways in which customers can get something out of the Holiday Photos on the Fly.

The promotion is focused on US citizens traveling for the holidays beginning December 2nd. They will be able to get free holiday photos at no less than 26 airports nationwide, including from Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, El Paso, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Oakland, Ontario, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Jose, San Antonio, St. Louis, Seattle and Tampa.

“Each weekend, passengers can stop by one of Santa’s “workshops” in select Southwest terminals and have their photo taken with Santa or a fun winter backdrop.

“A Windows 7 Elf will guide them through an online experience to learn how to edit, share, and store their photos with ease, thanks to Windows Live and Windows 7.

“Families will then be able to print a copy of their photo at the airport, or visit www.freeholidayphotos.com to retrieve and share their photos online once they get where they’re going,” revealed Lisa Sikora, Windows senior marketing manager at Microsoft Corp. in charge of the program.

But there’s more to this initiative than just free holiday pictures featuring Santa or a Christmas background.

In fact, Microsoft and Southwest Airlines have a great line-up of prizes. Users that want a chance at winning need to do nothing more than sign up at the Holiday Photo Sweepstakes site.

The two companies are offering a range of Windows 7 Ultimate copies, as well as $500 Cash prizes and $800.00 worth of Southwest Airlines Roundtrip Tickets. Prizes get handed out daily, so make sure to enter the sweepstakes.

“By taking the hassle out of getting your holidays photos taken, Windows and Southwest are making the holidays easier for traveling families,” Sikora added.

“We’re celebrating the simple things that make this time of year special: spending time with family, connecting with friends and sharing good cheer.”