Love is in the Air: How Airlines are Playing Matchmaker
Okay, so as a psychologist specializing in dating I’ve heard of speed dating, multiple singles events and trips, singles cruises and vacations but this is a new one…the airlines have begun playing match maker too! There is never a dull moment in dating. So, how does this work?
I’ve pasted a few press releases below (under related links) that describe how South West Airlines and Air New Zealand have begun doing speed dating midflight and passengers have met and married. In the words of South West airlines each couple gets six minutes to find out if there’s a “LUV” connection, and when time’s up they will hear … “DING! You’re now Free to Move About the Country,” and then it’s on to the next date. Southwest Airlines provides peanuts while guests sip on “LUV” potions. A Match Sheet card given to participants at the door allows speed-daters to discreetly make notes throughout the evening and sign onto the Cupid.com Web site to confidentially log their selections-simply deciding “Let’s Talk” or “No Thanks.”Southwest Airlines is known as the LUV Airline, comprising not only a Company of planes but, more importantly, a Company of hearts.
Air New Zealand launched a matchmaking flight on October 13, 2009 that will depart from Los Angeles, bound for Auckland, on a specially-themed flight, ahead of the dual Hemisphere singles’ party of the year - the Great Matchmaking Ball at Auckland’s SKYCITY Convention Centre. Before take-off, Matchmaking Flight passengers will enjoy a pre-flight gate party at LAX and then themed food, drink, entertainment and games throughout the flight. Waiting for them in New Zealand will be a fabulous, singles-only party and accommodation at the five-star SKYCITY Grand Hotel in Auckland. Tickets will go on sale soon, to the Great Matchmaking Ball to be held on Friday, October 15, at SKYCITY. Matchmaking Flight ticket holders and partygoers are now invited to upload an online dating profile at www.thematchmakingflight.com, a social environment created for American and New Zealand singles to start connecting before the flight.
So, if you want to say you met your transcontinental soul mate in the heavens, this may be for you. I think the airlines need to throw in some major incentives like a large amount of frequent flier mileage per couple so they can continue dating and a free honeymoon flight if they marry! Also, if they need a psychologist to give a transcontinental flight workshop on dating, I’ve always wanted to go see the koala bears!
My Best in Love,
Paulette
Related Links:
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=92562&p=irol-newsArticle_Print&ID=1107470&highlight=