KLM to deploy Facebook and LinkedIn so people can pick flight partners

16 Dec 2011

KLM goes retro: The 737 is decorated in 'retro-livery' harking back to the early 1960s, and featuring the characteristic tail with light blue stripes. Image courtesy of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

Dutch airliner KLM is going to allow its passengers to pre-book their seats by scanning Facebook and LinkedIn so they can pair up with the person who most takes their fancy before they take flight. It could be a new era for online dating and business networking, taking it to the skies.

Apparently, KLM is planning to launch the service in 2012. The airliner will be calling the service ‘Meet & Seat’. KLM is not going to embrace Twitter for the service for the minute, however.

You will be able to opt-in to use the tool.

USA Today reported on this new social media twist yesterday.

It seems Malaysia Airlines is also taking a similar route with this new opt-in service for passengers.

Will Ryanair get in on the act?

But the burning question is, will Ryanair will be getting in on the same act as KLM and Malaysia Airlines?

It could be a new way for the low-fares airline to make a few extra bob. Ryanair could charge passengers a €1 perhaps, if they choose to opt into this service … following a similar path to the raffle tickets you can buy while flying with the company.

Michael O’Leary’s Ryanair has come under fire this week for its rather provocative Christmas ad campaign to lure people to fly with the carrier. Already, more than 8,000 people have signed a petition against Ryanair, as they feel the ads are sexist.

Carmel Doyle was a long-time reporter with Silicon Republic

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