Delta Air Lines reports it has launched the industry's first "social media ticket window," enabling bookings directly from its Facebook page and other social media sites. The Delta Ticket Window, along with a newly designed home page at Delta.com introduced earlier this week, offers the first visual cues of the airline's planned transformation in customer-facing technology, Delta says.
"Our customers are spending more time online and are looking for new ways to connect with us. We're now delivering technology where our customers are – from our own website to our Facebook page to Internet news sites and beyond," said Bob Kupbens, Delta's vice president of eCommerce. "We already know Facebook is the most used website by inflight WiFi users on more than 2,000 Delta flights every day."
Delta's Ticket Window allows any of Facebook's 500 million users to complete a full travel booking using a dedicated "tab" at facebook.com/delta without navigating to delta.com. Delta said it plans to expand its Ticket Window to other sites, including online banner ads to allow full booking capabilities within the airline's advertisements.
The redesign of Delta's home page is a step toward a larger redesign which will continue to improve affiliated technology, including airport kiosks to offer more functionality to customers. The immediate home page changes include easier access to flight booking, status updates, online check-in and SkyMiles account information.
Earlier this month Delta enhanced its smartphone site and said it will continue to deliver other popular consumer applications. In the coming weeks, Delta plans to launch a new iPhone application to offer customers the ability to check in for flights, check flight status, review flight schedules, set a parking reminder, review SkyMiles account balance and use eBoarding passes (in select cities) directly from their mobile devices. Future releases of the app will enable customers to book flights, select their seats and track their Medallion status and other features that will streamline customer real-time travel experiences.