Widget initiative from American Airlines

27th March 2008

American Airlines wants to get to know its customers better, according to a new report.

In a bid to do so, MediaPost reveals that the carrier has launched a Facebook widget in order to monitor consumer habits and interactions through viral marketing.

"We want to understand how consumers interact with one another," explains Billy Sanez, director of advertising, promotions and corporate communications with the airline.

Mr Sanez admitted that there is "no controlling a widget", however.

The tool, Travel Bag, invites users of the social network to share their experiences of travelling and offer tips about heading abroad.

Features of the application - to be advertised on Windows Messenger and Hotmail - include Travelogue, Trip-O-Vent and Favourites.

As well as its Microsoft marketing partnership, American Airlines is to publicise the application on Digg.com and various ad-buying networks.

The company was founded in 1929 via the consolidation of a number of smaller aviation companies.