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Social and mobile airline services

From apps to tweets to feeds

What’s the best way to ask an airline a question, voice a concern, or check in for your flight? For years, the only way was through long phone menus, visiting an airline office in person, or by sitting at your home computer. Nowadays, thanks to the ubiquity of smartphones and tablets, much of passengers’ dialogue with airlines is done through a variety of social media, mobile sites and apps, and other online-only communications, also known as e-services.

We’ve compiled a list of major airlines’ mobile sites, mobile apps, loyalty programs and special discounts below. Also included are links to their social media outlets: Facebook pages, Twitter feeds and YouTube channels.

But first, let’s point out a few notable airlines that are paving the social way:

Alaska Airlines – For a regional airline, Alaska does social media and e-services as well as the best of the biggest national carriers, including a recently redesigned mobile app that passengers can use to plan every aspect of their trip, down to seating assignments.

Delta Air Lines – Delta combines social media and e-services extremely well, making especially strong use of its YouTube channel.

Porter Airlines – Porter’s casual-yet-sound Twitter feed is a fun read for flyers and social media gurus alike. Though @porterairlines isn’t the most followed airline account, it may just be the most exciting.

United Airlines – Since beginning to merge with Continental, United’s combined e-services presence is even more robust. With fully functional mobile sites, downloadable apps for each airline, a consolidated social media presence – under United’s brand and logo – the airline has potential to be the heaviest social hitter out there.