For many travellers, flying is a solitary affair. It starts at the airport newsstand where we pick a paperback or glossy—something a little too trashy for real life, but perfect for Airworld.
After take-off we slip on a pair of headphones and zone out in front of Die Hard, or reach for the inflight magazine and start visualizing our next winter getaway. Then, once we’ve reached content overload, we might pull out our journal and start scribbling about the trip ahead or the memories behind us.
Yet, as we’ve reported on this blog, many of the latest airline tools and developments seem to be geared toward making air travel more social.
Last month we told you about Lufthansa’s new MemberScout app, which encourages frequent flyers to share travel tips, between-flight cocktails and even a taxi ride from the airport.
In a similar vein, Air France/KLM has launched a trip-planning portal called Bluenity, where prospective passengers can gather real-time travel advice from local residents and meet with people with matching itineraries.
Meanwhile, non-airline actors such as Satisfly, Eezeer, Dopplr and FourSquare are coming out with apps and services that promise to make flying a friendlier affair.
Factor in the slow rise of inflight WiFi and it’s clear that air travel is being transformed from an introverted media-consuming experience into a social event.
Although we’re all about engagement and relationship-building here at Sparksheet, we have to ask: Is this really a good thing?
What sorts of privacy and liability issues will brands face if folks are using airlines as matchmakers? What does this all mean for the future of inflight entertainment and Transumer-oriented advertisers?
Is this a question of cultural differences (i.e. Americans love talking on planes, Brits hate it)?
Tell us: Is air travel a social or solitary experience?
For me travel has always been about disconnecting. Where else can you get a break from email and blackberry? When else do I have time to read a new novel, or get through a whole magazine?
That’s why this whole inflight WiFi thing scares me. When the airplane becomes just another workspace, what space will be left to call my own?
Great, let’s turn the airplane cabin into yet another chatterbox. Aren’t people beginning to tire of their own voices?
I think we just haven’t had the opportunity to socialize on a plane before. Its like trying to socialize in a movie theater. You talk to loud, everyone glares at you. You want to go to the bathroom, you disturb everyone in your row. So I don’t think “physical” conversation is possible. But digitally I am sure it will be interesting to see how we start “talking” more around and inflight…
Thanks Roberto, Amy, Steve…
@Roberto Is that because we want to or have to? I have read duty free magazines to kill time. Whenever I am lucky enough to next to someone interesting inflight, it makes for the most tolerable flight.
@Amy It could have a negative side, sure, but don’t you think on a 9 hour flight having an hour or 2 where you can have some noise is ok. Besides, no one will be talking (as Dr. Steve said), it will be more of a digital conversation
I just see people at the office wasting countless hours chatting on skype, facebook and a rising amount of other apps so why not in flight?
RT @Sparksheet: Are airlines becoming TOO social? Is flying really a solitary affair? http://bit.ly/cQ87bZ JOIN THE CONVERSATION
RT @Sparksheet: Is Flying a Social or Solitary Experience? http://tinyurl.com/yco3mv6 what kind of flyer are you?
@Sparksheet – Is Flying a Social or Solitary Experience? – http://tinyurl.com/yco3mv6
Is Flying a Social or Solitary Experience? – Social airline apps and inflight entertainment http://ping.fm/ClbKo
RT @Sparksheet – Is Flying a Social or Solitary Experience? – http://tinyurl.com/yco3mv6
RT @eezeer: @Sparksheet – Is Flying a Social or Solitary Experience? – http://tinyurl.com/yco3mv6
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