Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Skyscanner launches flight search within Facebook



Story from Travelmole.com:

"Flight comparison site Skyscanner has launched a way of finding flights via Facebook.

The new ‘Skyscanner for Facebook’ tool allows Facebook users to post a flight request on Skyscanner’s Wall and receive a price quote and flight details back in seconds.

The tool has been created specifically for Facebook functionality, which means there is no need to navigate away from the Facebook site or install any apps.

Users simply ‘like’ the Skyscanner page to use the tool.

The post also includes a link to the flight details on the main Skyscanner site, from where flights can be booked or options filtered.

The service uses ‘free text’ technology that means customers don’t have to select pre-set dates or destinations.

TravelMole tested the site and it did, indeed, come back with a response within a minute.

For example, the Mole posted “Gatwick to Amsterdam, July 29" and within seconds Skyscanner Flight Search had emailed back with a link to flight options, including £121 Cheapest direct (easyJet) £135 Cheapest indirect (British Airways, easyJet) £140 Shortest (1 hour 10 minutes out, 1 hour back).
It included a link to all 126 results and a link to click for further searches.

Even if customers don’t have specific dates, they can enter “Manchester to Malaga in August” to request a quote for the cheapest flights in that month.

Skyscanner director of sales and marketing Frank Skivington said: “Travel companies are starting to realise that there is more to Facebook than collecting fans, and we’re proud to have developed a pioneering tool for members that has been created with Facebook users in mind.”

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Ebookers Explorer iPad app claims to be the 'first social media travel guide'