At one point in the video, the screen flashes, “In the near future, we will not find products or services, they will find us“. A simple sentence that can have significant implications on how airlines do marketing. Add on to this the fact pointed out by Morris Sim, CEO of Circos Brand Karma, at the recent WebInTravel event in Singapore, that statistics from Alexa that showed that about 1 in 20 visitors to travel websites in APAC were at Facebook right before. Social networks like Facebook could be so helpful to our business if we know how to make use of them. The time has come to act. Enjoy the video.

The ray of light…

There’re strong indications that mindsets are already beginning to change. Just look at the number of airlines active on Twitter (squint a little on the chart below). As Rohit Bhargava mentions, “what’s now needed a vision from the highest level of marketing to…pour more internal support into the nacent social media activities starting within the company that have such big potential but are likely underfunded and underappreciated.”

And as a (very) frequent flier, and a keen social media marketer, I’m happy to help. Just drop me a line.

For those looking for where to start, some of my articles may offer some insight:

1. So you work for an airline? Here are Eleven steps to lead the social media branding initiative, and become a rockstar!
2. Five and a half secrets for airlines to drive revenue from social media: Keynote presentation from LCC Summit in Al-Ain
3. Keynote presentation from Sydney: How airlines can have conversations with customers on social media

• Airline branding: Keynote video from Abu Dhabi, and CNBC Arabia
• Southwest vs. United: Why Authenticity Wins, Even In TV Advertising
• Driving social media ROI for airlines, airports and travel businesses – Keynote presentation from #SMtravel11
• Presentation on airlines and social media from FTMA & Freddies 2009, now available
• [Presentation] Social Media ROI – here’s how airlines can measure it through dashboards

Many of these (very interesting) Tweeps are tapping into Twitter’s real-time network to offer up travel tips, airline recommendations (or warnings), and an inside look at life in the cockpit (or cabin). Personally, I have made some amazingly talented new friends on Twitter, whom I wouldn’t have known otherwise, from Melbourne to Muscat.

This list has 11 great aviation geeks to follow on Twitter, however please feel free to suggest others in the comments (or if you tweet on things that fly, leave your own Twitter info – for individuals only, not companies). These are in no particular order.

And you can certainly start with this list if you’re looking to follow my 11 suggested steps to lead the social media strategy for your airline!

Of course, if you aren’t following us on Twitter yet, we’re @simpliflying.

11 airline Journalists/Bloggers to follow on Twitter

AvWeekBenet : One of the aviation journalism “legends” of our times, Benet Wilson has some amazing knowledge about the industry and always a pleasure to Tweet with. Everyone who’s anyone in aviation has probably been interviewed by Benet at some point of his or her career.  Benet currently writes on Business Aviation for Aviation Week and she’s one of my personal favorites.

flyingwithfish : Steve Frischling is an ace photographer turned travel guru. His advice on how to pack light, or travel safe is invaluable. I personally love the travel iPhone App reviews he does at his blog, Flying with Fish. His tweets are a perfect blend of photo tips, travel tips and views on airlines. Some Twitter services tell me that I @reply to him the most!

danwebbage : Dan Webb is a wonderkid, who’s quite an aviation freak. Still a college student, he does an outstanding job blogging passionately about the industry over at Things in the Sky blog. He’s also the co-host of the Airplane Geeks Podcast. Always full of his unique personal insights on Twitter.

roncallari : Ron Callari has a ton of experience working in the travel industry. He blogs at InventorSpot and works with travel and hospitality companies around the world. His over 4,000 followers on Twitter sure like his Tweets. Be sure to check out ‘United Breaks Guitars’ Viral Video Gets Counterpunched! http://bit.ly/4EYhF

aschonland : Addison Schonland hosts the very popular IAG Podcasts. He’s one of the most forward-thinking Gen X persons I’ve known, and is always brimming with great ideas about the next big thing in aviation. Always a pleasure to Tweet with. For some inspiration, just listen in.

BLRAviation : No one knows Indian aviation better than Devesh Aggarwal. Once a million-miler with Singapore Airlines, he’s now based out of Bangalore and runs the Bangalore Aviation blog. His insights and statistics on Indian aviation are a revelation on Twitter. He also knows the best kebab places in Bangalore (and has taken me there too!)

RunwayGirl : Mary Kirby adds the oomph factor to aviation geeks on Twitter! No one knows in-flight entertainment and equipment better than her. She gives us the ins and outs of what’s in the plane, from wifi to the IFE. She writes for  Flight International at RunwayGirl.

crankyflier : The self-acclaimed “airline dork”, Brett Snyder is probably one of the most famous aviation bloggers, having worked in a travel agency when we was a teenager and been totally “into” airlines ever since! His insights on his CrankyFlier blog and on Twitter are daring, straight-forward and always make you stop and think. Very intriguing perspectives.

jetwhine : Rob Mark is very experienced in the industry, and authors the award-winning JetWhine blog. He’s also the co-host of the Airplane Geeks Podcast.

MiddleSeat : Scott McCartney writes The Wall Street Journal’s “Middle Seat” column and is the author of the new book “The Wall Street Journal Guide to Power Travel: How to Arrive with Your Dignity, Sanity, and Wallet Intact.” He’s got very refreshing perspectives on the latest happenings in aviation, and if you can’t keep up with his column, do read his Tweets.

flightblogger : How can this list be complete without mentioning probably the only Boeing outsider who often knows more than the insiders! Jon Ostrower is the FlightBlogger and tweets about the latest Boeing updates. Even the employees read his blog and Tweets to keep up to date with the latest developments in the company!

Feel free to add your favorite aviation Tweeters on this list, ans share this resource with your friends!

• Announcing the Aviation Geeks Meetup @ Sydney, on Aug 5, 2009 #sydneyfly
• SimpliFlying is “aviation website of the week” (and more accolades)
• Airlines on Twitter in June 2011: Delta Airlines is the breakaway “listening and talking champion”
• Airlines on Twitter Monthly Report for August 2011: Cebu Pacific joins the big league and scores high!
• Airline branding interview (and more good news!)