Air France-KLM launch first social network for airlines

Posted by Alisa Zykova on November 7, 2008 at 10:28 AM

The first social network for airlines will be launched by the end of this week by the Air France-KLM group, Le Figaro reported Tuesday.

Web site www.bluenity.com will allow passengers to engage with others on the same flight or individuals heading for the same destination. The Web 2.0 site will be available in English, French and Dutch. It may be accessed once the flight is reserved and users are in possession of an electronic ticket.

Users may opt for a business or a leisure profile, demonstrate what countries they know and ask not to be disturbed during the flight. A link to Facebook information is also predicted. However, there are some technical complications. According to Le Figaro, the wireless Internet connection available at airports may be difficult and expensive.

Air France-KLM Marketing director Patric Roux said he was expecting 300,000 users within a year after the launch, a figure that may be "modest" compared to the company's 75 million passengers per year.

The airlines' move may serve as a reminder to newspapers that they may need to speed up their engagement with the social network trend.

Source: Le Figaro