Long Flight or short-Wouldn’t you like it if you get to select the passenger seated next to you. Not any passenger, you could use your social networks to select your seatmate. So the passenger in the next seat can be your friend from your Facebook or Linkedin list. Wouldn’t that make for a better flying experience?
That wish is soon going to be turned into reality by. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, founded in 1919 and now part of Air France KLM. The Company confirmed to TechCrunch that the feature will launch next year.
KLM says their new social seating tool, called “meet & seat”, will work with Facebook and Linkedin, but not Twitter. The tool will be opt-in only. The Airline is still developing the tool.
USA Today wrote how this could create for in-flight dating, suggesting it “could be fodder for a flight from hell.”
KLM has also tried to innovate in the past. Two years ago the airline was contemplating the idea of offering e-book readers to passengers.
KLM isn’t the only one mixing seat selection with social networks. Earlier this year, Malaysia Airlines launched a system that allows passengers to book a flight and check-in all on the airline’s Facebook page. Passengers can also see if any Facebook friends are on their flight.
There are other Startups as well who share the similar aim. Planely, wants you to join what they say is the “social flying revolution.” If you give the website info on your flight, they will connect you with other Planely fliers.
