Find a Flight Buddy Press Release

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2011 is set to be an important year for social networking and apps, moreover the crossover to mobile devices has given people greater freedom and more connectivity on the move. So how will this affect the way people travel?

Imagine the scenario; you are travelling alone to another continent, backpack bulging, phrasebook at hand preparing for those early encounters in another language. Your flight has been delayed by another hour, you’re yearning for somebody nearby to talk to but everyone seems to be busy and unapproachable and you can’t speak the language fluently enough yet. You rest your head up against your luggage and watch from a coffee shop as long queues of passengers go by, waiting in the departure lounge for an announcement - a place void of any excitement. You then receive an alert on Facebook - somebody on your flight is looking for a travel buddy.

A new Facebook application called Find A Flight Buddy has just been released; enabling users to find and network with people within minutes on flights across the world. The app is intended to help people to meet up with like-minded travellers on the way to an event, business conference or to find somebody to talk with during long waiting hours. It is relatively easy and simple to use, after adding the application on Facebook you are asked to enter your flight number and the time of departure; you then select your preferred type of travel buddy (ie. somebody travelling to the same festival as you); on the next page you can choose from your matches and can then contact nearby travellers directly. Your flight buddy details will also allow people to find you through the app although your personal details will not be shared with others.

The benefits of its use are plentiful and different for each user, for example sharing a cab to and from the airport to save money, meeting people with interests in politics or fine art to share a conversation with, finding a guide to a new place or city, or connecting with people who may be attending the same sporting event, concert or seminar. Unlike other travel apps it can also be used in conjunction with train, coach and bus journeys making it useable across the modes of passenger transport. Although still in its early stages, Find A Flight Buddy is set to be a boost for social networking, travel, mobile technology and Facebook users this year.