Airline Will Let Passengers Choose Seatmates on Facebook, LinkedIn

Dec. 14, 2011— -- Call it a mile-high blind date.

A new policy by a Dutch airline will allow passengers to choose their seatmates based on Facebook and LinkedIn profiles.

KLM hopes to roll out the "Social Seating" policy in 2012, according to a company representative.

The airline will allow fliers to access other passengers' social media information when checking onto a flight online and then choose their seatmate based on similar interests, USA Today reported. They will also be able to link their own social media profiles with their check-in information, allowing others to see and choose them.

The policy would also allow passengers to opt out of the service if they want, the report said.

A KLM representative said the project was still in its development phase and the company could not yet share details on how it would work.

Other attempts to integrate social networking and air travel have floundered in the past, including a failed company called AirTroductions, which offered an online dating service for frequent travelers.

Malaysia Airlines is in the process of releasing a Facebook function that will allow passengers to see if they have friends booked on their flight or staying in the same destination.

KLM currently offers a free iPhone app called "KLM Passport" that allows users to turn pictures and videos from a trip into a movie that can be shared directly on Facebook.