Innovation That Matters

Social network for Air France-KLM travellers

Travel & Tourism

Connecting air travellers has been an ongoing theme over the past two years or so, as KLM and others have set up social networks to help fellow flyers hook up. While KLM’s first effort focused on frequent flyers in China and Africa, however, a new network from Air France-KLM aims to connect travellers anywhere in the world. Bluenity allows members to meet other people travelling on Air France or KLM online, at the airport, aboard the plane or at their destination. Members can use the site to offer tips and make comments on a variety of travel-related topics, or they can search for fellow passengers on a particular trip and arrange to meet them, exchange destination information or share a taxi on arrival. Membership on the site is free. Despite its claim that it is the first social network for travellers launched by an airline, Bluenity is reminiscent of British Airways’ MetroTwin and GenFlyLounge, launched recently by Lufthansa. And with more general sites like Dopplr already out there as well, connecting passengers across airlines, it’s also not clear whether a single-airline network will “fly,” so to speak. Only time will tell—in the meantime, one to watch! (Related: Enhanced networking for business travellersSympvertising and secrets for business travellers.) Spotted by: Marie Sedefian

Website: www.bluenity.fr