Airlines these days seem to be tripping over their feet to generate interest and subsequently greater audience numbers on their Facebook fanpages and Twitter accounts. What is interesting in this trend is not the explosion of social technologies but the paths to social explosion that airlines are taking.

Some airlines have booking engines on Facebook, some provide customer service only on Twitter while some initiate extensive, integrated social media campaigns to drive brand engagement. This month onwards, SimpliFlying will publish a monthly feature highlighting the best of such social media strategies by airlines.

This month we bring to you the 10 best Facebook contests by airlines, as Facebook has become the “real” playground for airlines to showcase their creative brand strategies. This is because of the more immersive and multimedia-rich features of the Facebook platform itself.

In recent times, a number of airlines have organized some rather interesting contests on Facebook. For some airlines, such as All Nippon Airways, contests are a way of gaining more fans on their Facebook page and generating more awareness about it. For some, such as Hawaiian, contests are used to promote route-launches; for others it might be about a new product such as Turkish Airlines’ new Comfort …

I flew the Premium Economy class on the Japanese All Nippon Airlines when flew back from New York (JFK) to Singapore, via Tokyo a few weeks ago. This wasn’t the first time that I was flying this Economy+ class, as I often flew Singapore Airlines’ Executive Economy from Singapore to Newark, which has now been replaced by an all-business class flight. But there was a stark difference this time – while Business class was not quite full, Premium Economy was jam-packed! But what could be the reasons for that?
The ANA Premium Economy Class
I think Premium Economy is good value for money. From ANA, you get lounge access prior to your flight, which is great for business people, since they can get some work done and have a nice meal. That also means that you can board whenever you want, rather than 40 mins before take off. The queues at boarding tend to be shorter as well. So at least in this aspect, the experience is much better than Economy Class.

Once you get to the seat, you’ll find yourself in a small, almost private, section with just 3-4 rows of Premium seating, between Business Class and Economy Class. The biggest …

Here’s a quiz:

1. Which airline tested wi-fi for the first time last week?
2. Which airline will be testing bio-fuels next month?
3. Which airline is the first to have showers in its first class?
4. Which is the first airline that’s going to fly the Boeing 787?
5. Which airline was the first to fly the A380 aircraft?

Almost anyone who’s traveled on an airplane before would be able to answer the last one – Singapore Airlines. But hardly any would be able to answer the other questions. For the curious, American Airlines tested wireless internet last week, Japan Airlines will test bio-fuels, Emirates will have showers on its new A380 flight to New York city and ANA will be the first to fly the 787. Wondering why the huge disparity in awareness? Simply because Singapore Airlines engaged its customers and let the world know that it was doing something new.

Being the first brand to give customers a refreshing, new experience is something to beat the drum about. In turbulent times for the industry like these, airlines should …