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Sick of Bad Seatmates? Airline to Let You Cherry-Pick

...using social media, of course

By Mark Russell,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 15, 2011 8:42 AM CST

(Newser) – Not fun: Being stuck next to a super-chatty traveler or big drinker on a long flight when all you want to do is sleep. The modern-day solution: Forget earplugs, just book on KLM, which will next year launch a service called "meet and seat." The move will allow passengers to share their Facebook or LinkedIn profiles with the rest of the flight's passengers, and then choose their own seatmates based on whomever seems the best match, reports the Telegraph.

KLM has not said yet whether it will charge (yet another) fee for making use of this service, but industry observers think this is the first such matchmaking program to be attempted by an airline. Of course, some passengers might have something more in mind than just finding a comfortable neighbor—45% of people polled on a travel site earlier this year admitted to flirting on a flight, and 8% said that had turned into an actual relationship.

The first of three KLM passenger planes heading to New York takes off from Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday April 19, 2010.
The first of three KLM passenger planes heading to New York takes off from Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday April 19, 2010.   (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Technicians of Franco-Dutch giant Air France-KLM install new seats on an Airbus A321 on February 2, 2010.
Technicians of Franco-Dutch giant Air France-KLM install new seats on an Airbus A321 on February 2, 2010.   (Getty Images)
KLM program thought to be first to use social media for seating.
KLM program thought to be first to use social media for seating.   (?abdallahh)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
JamaicaJim
Dec 18, 2011 6:01 AM CST
I'd choose the co-pilot's seat. Then I can go "neeeeeOOOOW" and "Wheeeee"...and look for the auto-pilot like in "Airplane", and blow him up, acting like Jerry Sandusky. Make comments into the P.A. like: "We're not landing until everyone strips!", or....(after everyone eats) "Ladies and Gentlemen: We have just learned the food was laced with E-Coli.....and also the bathrooms are out of order.....have a nice flight"...or...."Ooops...we just pulled the wrong lever, and the luggage went out like bombs dropping....sorry".
Ultraworld
Dec 15, 2011 12:40 PM CST
I hate flying & I came up with what works for me. I stay up for a long time before a flight, missing a night's sleep sometimes. I get on the plane & pass out. 
fractal
Dec 15, 2011 12:37 PM CST
I don't even have a social networking page.  Will I get shunned?  Will people just assume I am old?  Will I be the mysterious stranger? 

 
social networking • airline industry • Facebook • LinkedIn • airline seats • KLM - Royal Dutch Airlines

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