Location-based services are set to become the next big thing of the Web 2.0 playground. Taking cues from existing communication and interaction patterns in social media, location based services have the ability to be highly targeted, location aware, real-time and demand more commitment from the customer. Out list of Top 10 Location Based Service Initiatives by Airlines looks at the most striking case-studies of how airlines have leveraged these services to build their brand and drive customer engagement and loyalty.

1. Great examples of airlines using location-based services for building their brands and driving customer engagement and loyalty. Featuring World leaders in helping airlines go social http://www.SimpliFlying.com

2. Case-study 1 Virgin America : “T2 Takeover”

3. Virgin America wants its customers to takeover SFO’s new terminal

4. A race to get on the leaderboard! Passengers compete with each other to check-in at the most locations around the airport and to get on the public leaderboard. Goals Driven Loyalty Engagement

5. Case-study 2 KLM: “Surprises”

6. KLM makes its Foursquare followers happy Some passengers who check into KLM’s Foursquare venues are surprised with personalized gifts from KLM Read more on SimpliFlying.

7. Surprises = Delighted customers! Passengers, chosen at random, are accosted by KLM at the airport and receive special gifts. Delighted passengers share stories of appreciation with friends and family on social networks, spreading the word even further. Goals Driven Engagement Loyalty

8. Case-study 3 Southwest Airlines: “Loopt Rewards”

9. Southwest and Loopt tie up to please customers Southwest Airlines gave away 10 round trip tickets (plus some other goodies) via the Loopt Rewards Wagon in Austin during SXSW Interactive in March 2011.

10. People actually ran for the rewards!

11. Engaged and delighted customers Not just tickets but other goodies were given out as well! Goals driven Loyalty Engagement

12. Case-study 4 Copenhagen Airport: “Augmented reality app”

13. Navigate the airport with ease! The augmented reality iPhone app is designed to help users navigate its terminals. This is a first for location-based augmented reality services, which typically don’t deliver information about the layout of indoor areas. This app keeps track of a user’s location by using Wi-Fi signals generated inside the airport’s terminals. Goals driven Engagement Customer Service

14. Case-study 5 Air New Zealand: “Foursquare mayors”

15. Foursquare could get you into Air New Zealand's upper class airline lounges! The “mayors” of select airports and terminals served by Air New Zealand receive free admission to the Koru Lounge just by showing their mayor status and boarding pass. Pro Tip: Koru Lounges offer amenities like bar service, light refreshments, televisions, magazines and showers.

16. Rewarding the most loyal customers! If they’re already a Koru Lounge member, Air New Zealand will award them 100 Airpoints Dollars instead (up to a maximum of $300 per month). Mayors of Koru Lounges are eligible for 100 Airpoints Dollars as well. Goals driven Loyalty Engagement

17. Case-study 6 JetBlue: “Go Places”

18. JetBlue takes you places! Announce to your friends on Facebook that you’re at a JetBlue terminal and earn loyalty points as well as other rewards. Goals driven Engagement Loyalty

19. Case-study 7 Lufthansa: “Oktoberfest”

20. Lufthansa spreads “Oktober” love! Customers were encouraged – via the Lufthansa Facebook page – to check in at various locations around the Bavarian city during the festival. Once 3 check-ins were secured the user received a Lufthansa FourSquare badge and Euro 20 voucher. Read more on SimpliFlying. Source: http://themigratorynerd.com/2010/westjets-winglet-wednesday/

21. Customers return the love! 7050 Unique check-ins 2350 Badges unlocked 150,000 Visitors on the microsite Goals driven Engagement Loyalty

22. Case-study 8 Germanwings: “ITB Berlin Takeover”

23. Germanwings takes over ITB Berlin! Where: ITB Berlin, world’s largest travel tradeshow The challenge: Germanwingshas neither a booth nor abudget for marketing The solution: Two people sent to create Facebook Places locations for the booths of other airlines, with a Germanwings twist. On checking-in at an airline’s booth, the status update on Facebook looked something like this:  Air Berlin: You’ll get to breathe Berlin air Cheaper with Germanwings!  Air France: France for a bargain price is only available from Germanwings!

24. Users respond – and how! 200+ Check-ins 24000+ People received notifications $0 Dollars spent Goals driven Engagement Read more on SimpliFlying.

25. Case-study 9 Continental Airlines: “#justlanded”

26. Tell Continental when you land Tell the world as well. Use the hashtag and flight number when you land. Stand a chance to win a President’s Club Membership.

27. Know who else landed at the same location! Drives awareness of Continental’s flights. Helps passengers network with each other at a particular location by simply searching the hashtag. Goals driven Engagement

28. Case-study 10 British Airways: “Grand Central pitch-up”

29. An ordinary idea turned into an opportunity BA ran a contest for small business owners to film a 90-second pitch telling explaining where they would most like to fly and why it would benefit the company. But it organized the two-day event at a famous location.

30. Famous location = Greater engagement The famous Vanderbilt Hall within Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan was the chosen location. To get the message out, the airline used FourSquare. The first people to check-in on FourSquare at the promotion got a free coffee from BA. Goals Driven Engagement

31. For more case studies, visit SimpliFlying.com World leaders in helping airlines go social http://www.SimpliFlying.com