Steve Says

Bottom line?

The airline industry needs to find new ways to generate additional revenue- and this one is my favorite BY FAR!

Why?  Because after a seemingly endless cycle of nickel and diming customers, the latest idea looks like it might benefit consumers at no cost to the traveling public... let's hope.

All of the major players in the airline industry (American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Air) have joined forces to bring you, what are essentially,  boarding-pass advertisements.

The new ads come courtesy of an independently owned company called Sojern Inc and are being billed as valuable information and offers for airline passengers to use when they get to their destination.  Everything from the weather report to info on area shows and attractions and yes, coupons- all custom tailored to feature the city you are traveling to.

Sounds pretty good so far- it's the equivalent of finding that every time you travel the free magazine in the seat-back pocket has a cover story on your destination.   Let's just hope it's not TOO successful.. otherwise I foresee these ads, info and offers becoming the paper equivalent of an in-flight movie "available for a nominal fee". UGGG! 

Delta is the first to launch the service (earlier this month) for passengers traveling to Las Vegas and will roll out the service for passengers to all of its domestic destinations shortly.  The other partnering airlines will roll out service later this year.

This might mean more money for the struggling airline industry and one more reason to hold onto your boarding pass.

Want to see a demo? Click here.