Virgin America Adds Seat-To-Seat Flirting System

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Virgin America founder Richard Branson thinks passengers who use his airline’s new in-flight flirting system have a 50-percent change of deplaning with a plus-one. The system allows passengers to anonymously send other fliers—perfect strangers—cocktails, snacks or even meals during the flight. Think of it as a flirtatious precursor to the mile-high club.

How does it work? Virgin’s seat-back entertainment system now features a digital seat map. Passengers can choose the seat location in which their object of affection sits, pick out a food or drink item and pay for it with a credit card. A flight attendant will then deliver the goods directly to the receiving passenger’s seat. The flirting can continue with a chat through Virgin America’s seat-to-seat messaging system.

Branson introduced the new feature in a video entitled, “Sir Richard Branson’s Guide to Getting Lucky at 35,000 Feet.

As founder of the Virgin group, I’ve been in my share of compromising positions,” Branson says in the beginning of the video.

Speaking of compromising positions… Although the seat-to-seat ordering system sounds like a lot of fun, it could also set passengers up for some pretty awkward moments. Think about it… What if a passenger inadvertently selects the wrong seat on the diagram and ends up sending a Cosmo to Gramps instead of little Miss Sexy? Furthermore, an airplane isn’t a bar. A passenger flying alone isn’t necessarily a signal he or she is available. Suppose a drink is sent to someone on her way to her husband’s funeral? Or to a gentleman who is married with six kids who’s traveling on business?

Virgin America wants to hear passengers’ successful and failed seat-to-seat ordering experiences. Those who describe their attempts on Virgin’s Facebook page by May 22 will be entered to win prizes to include flights and stays at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Happy flying and may the odds be ever in your favor.