AirTroductions Archive

We originally wrote about flying dating service AirTroductions as one of our earliest posts in 2006. I used the service when it initially launched on a variety of flights en route to Europe looking to find the next Mrs. Stern. On the most popular flyer discussion forum FlyerTalk, everyone liked AirTroductions (I never did find Mrs. Stern on that Delta flight).

Today NY-based AirTroductions has changed their name to TripLife and their new slogan is, "Making frequent travel more productive and enjoyable." The concept is still the same except they have expanded the scope past the airport and onboard an aircraft. From hotels to activity locations, TripLife can help you meet a new friend, a potential business connection or someone for love. TripLife is a perfect site for you Valentine’s Day travelers.

Apparently there’s no tie-into any of the social networks – this is a mistake. Why not try to draw in members/friends from Facebook/MySpace/LinkedIn/etc? They are working on a mobile version which would certainly increase the ability to find someone on the go. Currently TripLife doesn’t actually help you make reservations, they just store the information.

I wonder if they could partner with a company like TripIt. So when you submit your itinerary to TripIt, you can select to have it sent to TripLife – could help with distribution as well. Dopplr is another site working on creating social travel.

I first found out about AirTroductions a little over a year ago when Peter Shankman posted a note about the launch of the service on FlyerTalk (best frequent flyer site) where I am an active member. I thought it was a very cool concept.

The idea is simple:

• Register
• Enter your flights
• Select matches

Today, Peter announced that they have received a round of venture capital (vc). I am trying to get a hold of Peter to get more details and will report back once we connect.

From Peter:

Some special AirTroductions members were featured in the news this year – Do you realize AirTroductions has been everywhere from the Wall Street Journal to Good Morning America to the BBC to the Chicago Tribune to the New York Times to the National Enquirer?? (Yes, our parents were really happy when they saw our smiling faces on the magazine rack at the supermarket check-out line, right next to “I’m carrying Elvis’s love child – and he’s an Alien!”)

But you did that! You got us the recognition – You came, you used the site, and you made your matches! Heck, even Lisa Loeb made her match – and according to her, “had a pretty good date out of it!”

At it’s most basic description, AirTroductions is a flying dating service. You can also meet new friends, etc. But unlike the other meet-people sites (Match.com, etc.), here you are doing it at 35,000 feet. I don’t know about you, but for me, sitting in a flying box for 8 hours to Berlin is not the most fun thing, even on Virgin Upper. Why not take the chance to meet some new contacts and (if you desire) maybe even a love interest!

If you sign up for AirTroductions, drop me a note and we can connect on the next flight we match up on!

One suggestion for AirTroductions would be to allow for airport meetups as well. For example, I am flying out of JFK terminal 3 and will be there for 2 hrs waiting for my flight. Why not use that opportunity to meet others as well. So not just people on the same flight but “in the same flight pattern”.

Update from Peter: “if people exist in your airport within 2 hours of your flight, it’s listed right below flight matches.” Looks like I need to get my eyes checked! Thanks for the update Peter!

Here is an example profile: