Virgin Atlantic tweetbot gives travellers flight status via Twitter

Tech-savvy travellers can now check their flight status via Twitter with the new tweetbot service launched by Virgin Atlantic. The tweetbot @VAAInfo, a first for any airline takes a customer query about a flight status and tweets back within seconds giving real-time flight departure and arrival information.

This new tool is perfect for passengers looking to check their flight status on the go as a quick, single line tweet will generate an immediate reply. Fergus Boyd, Head of E-commerce comments: “We now have over 50,000 Twitter followers worldwide and we know that many of them use the social network to keep abreast of travel news and updates. We are finding that many travellers are using the tool simply to confirm when their flight departs and others to check details when picking up friends and family from the airport”.

To check flight status, travellers should just tweet the flight number and departure date to the airline’s new Twitter account @VAAInfo. For example: @VAAInfo VS3 3110. For the majority of flights passengers will immediately receive a tweet in return confirming the departure and arrival times. If, like Sydney flights, it’s a multi-leg journey, the tweet requests that travellers include the departure airport. Passengers will then receive their flight status in true Virgin style. For example:@ RogerFlysalot – Hello gorgeous! The @VirginAtlantic VS3/30Oct left London LHR at 10:50 & is expected in New York JFK at 13:51

Travellers can also check flights even when they are still up in the air. Perhaps if the flight you’re after is still in the air – perhaps you (a colleague or family member returning from abroad, say), you’ll get up-to-the-minute flight status.

Fergus Boyd adds: “This service, although used by many on a day to day basis, will really come into its own during times of disruption when we get high peaks of customer queries, many of which are simply asking for an update on the status of their flight.”

Tosan Woode, Head of Sales and Marketing Ghana feels strongly that this will provide the added value that Virgin Atlantic seeks to offer to the Ghana market and said: “The mere sight of the little blue bird icon giving you relevant, up to the minute and useful information in Ghana from the UK and beyond will hopefully make people adhere to the fact that, Your Airline’s either Got it, or it hasn’t”. For further information please log onto www.virginatlantic.com or visit www.twitter.com/vaainfo