Why is it all the rave? Thanks to The Nerdist.

Because this time, Richard was interviewed by Chris Hardwick, “The Nerdist“, and Chris has been generating lots of comments on the interview, been Tweeting about it and making a lot more fans for the airline than probably a Virgin America advertisement in the morning daily would have. Why am I so sure? May be because on Twitter, Chris has 20 times the “followers” that Virgin America has! And I bet his website gets more hits than the Virgin America website too.

The point I’m trying to make? Airlines are in the service business, and not in the transport business. And because of that, airlines cannot shy away from social media anymore. Be it working with influencers like Chris or The Cranky Flier, or providing accelerated customer service through Twitter. In an interview with USA Today. JetBlue’s CEO Dave Barger summed up my emotions about social media best:

“My sense is that really – not just in America – but the around world there’s what’s known as mainstream media. But, new social media, it’s there. It’s real-time…. It’s Real.”

I just think that Dave Barger makes a lot of sense. What do you think? Watch the Branson video below and share your thoughts in the comments section, or come talk to me (@simpliflying)  on Twitter.

There are still two more autographed copies of the book on Singapore Airlines to be given away, and a 4gb Apple iPod to be won. You too can be a winner, just by re-tweeting a comment from SimpliFlying or leaving a comment on this site. Learn more here.

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• Social media mogul Chris Brogan joins SimpliFlying’s Board of Advisors