Malaysia Airlines Introduces Multiple Consumer Innovations

28 February 2011, Kuala Lumpur/London – Malaysia’s national carrier,  Malaysia Airlines today launched MHBuddy allowing more than 500 million Facebook users to not only book a Malaysia Airlines flight but to integrate trip details into their social graph, identifying friends who might be sharing flights or who will be at their destination.

7 days earlier, Malaysia Airlines unveiled its redesigned malaysiaairlines.com website with enhancements that included a clean fresh look and simplified navigation where users can review promotional deals, book a flight from almost any page and get information on other related travel requirements such as airport transfers, hotels and car rentals. This website refresh project was a joint effort of Malaysia Airlines, XM-JWT Malaysia (formerly RMG), Adobe and air transport IT provider, SITA.

10 days earlier, Malaysia Airlines launched the Going Places iPad app.  The multiple technological innovations during this short period are part of the continuous efforts of Malaysia Airlines to create an intimate relationship between the customer and the brand.

MHbuddy was developed by SITA Lab, the research group of  SITA.  Formed three years ago, SITA Lab also delivered the world’s first kiosks to sell airline tickets using the Apple ipad and an augmented reality application for the Apple iPhone to allow customers to pick up the best airline deals from nearby airports.

Dr. Amin Khan, Executive Vice President, Commercial Strategy, Malaysia Airlines, said: “A few airlines sell tickets on Facebook but, unlike Malaysia Airlines, none fully integrates into the user’s social graph or allows passengers to check-in. MHbuddy can be used in any country worldwide and really takes flight booking to another level.”

Dr. Amin adds: “With MHbuddy, we are pleased to provide our fans on social media an easy way to book a ticket without having to leave Facebook. In doing so, we have also opened another distribution channel for ticket sales.”

This application allows passengers to be reminded of those friends who live at the destination after they book a flight on MHbuddy.  They will also be informed of any other friends who are planning to visit the destination at the same time and prompts the booker to send a message.    Travellers can also share their itinerary with friends and suggest the same itinerary to them.

Passengers can check in for their flights from Facebook.  During the seat selection process, they are shown the seats selected by any of their friends who are travelling on the same flight giving other MHbuddy users another opportunity to connect with friends.

Speaking at Innovation in Airline Distribution 2011 in London, Jim Peters, SITA Chief Technology Officer who heads up the SITA Lab, said: “SITA has always focused on technological innovation that the air transport industry and passengers want. This is another example of how we are enhancing the travel experience for passengerNs and giving them applications that are relevant to the way they live their lives. This initiative is a great step forward and gives people who use Facebook the opportunity to do what Facebook does best – keeping in touch and sharing life experiences with friends. SITA Lab is delighted to work with Malaysia Airlines to offer this ground-breaking service.”

To book tickets on Malaysia Airlines via Facebook go to http://facebook.com/malaysiaairlines.

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Adrian Eugene Seet, editor of SUPERADRIANME.com, has long shared his passion for travel, destinations, and air travel. His childhood love for exploration has evolved into a thriving career, with his engaging content inspiring others to discover new cultures. Taiwan is his new-found favourite destination, and he dreams of visiting the Andes. Adrian's work is driven by his curiosity for travel trends and a commitment to lifelong learning.

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