Matchmaking in the Skies: Find Your Perfect Airplane Seatmate

May 20, 2009 — -- What's the biggest drama in flying today? No, not the price of tickets. I'm talking seatmate roulette.

Sigh. Are we forever doomed to seatmate pot luck? Maybe not.

Picture this: You board your plane and find yourself seated beside an old school chum, or that new software designer you've been dying to meet, or a good-looking woman who shares your passion for kayaking. Sounds pretty sci-fi, doesn't it? Almost revolutionary.

Well, the revolution is here. And whether you know it, you're already a part of it.

You are, I should say, if you're a member of Facebook. Or LinkedIn. Or any of the thousands of other Web sites or tools or software or apps that are part of the world of "social media."

You social media networkers -- what is it you do? Simple: Everyday, you tell the world -- via Facebook or Twitter or something else -- who you are and what you want. And the world is listening. And, even as we speak, some of those listeners are working hard to give you exactly what you want. Certainly, that's true when it comes to airline seating arrangements.

For more air travel news and insights, visit Rick's blog at: farecompare.com

Have you heard of Satisfly? It's a new company headed by 27-year old Sergio Mello. The Italian-born entrepreneur is one of those folks who wants to give you what you want and thinks his new startup will fill the bill. His idea: to collect information from social networks and more -- with your permission -- and use that data to help the airlines provide you with a better customer service experience.

The key to that, he thinks, is passenger compatibility, which could mean anything from hanging with folks in similar businesses, or simply getting a seatmate who likes to snooze as much as you do. And, yes, it could also mean sitting next to someone you'd really like to get to know better. But Mello insists most travelers are less interested in hookups than in sharing business contacts, the names of favorite restaurants -- or just a taxi, if you're both into smaller carbon footprints.