New Features - New FlyerTalk FlightConnect and Loungeconnect

Hi all,

We've been developing a new version of FlightConnect, and a brand new sister product called LoungeConnect, to allow FTers to schedule impromptu in-flight and in-lounge get-togethers easily.

If you've been using FlightConnect to schedule your flights already, you'll notice that your existing flights on the calendar have already been copied over to the new tool! There may be one or two that get missed due to formatting issues; not to worry: just re-add them and you'll be good to go. The tool will allow other FTers to see and instantly add themselves to your event!

We're ready to release the Beta versions of these features. We'll post links to them so you can try them out and tell us what you think!

Links coming soon :)

Paul
Community Manager

Here is FlyerTalk FlightConnect:

http://www.flyertalk.com/flightconnect

And FlyerTalk LoungeConnect:

http://www.flyertalk.com/loungeconnect

They are also available from the top navigation menu under "Members."

If you experience any issue with either tool, please report them in this thread.

Thank you, and enjoy!

Paul
Community Manager

Thanks, Paul ^

Why do all the fights listed depart at 10:00am and arrive at 03:00pm?

Why do all the fights listed depart at 10:00am and arrive at 03:00pm?

Good catch.

What we'll do is include flight number but not flight time info in the display, because times can be very fluid even on day-of travel.

The tool will still allow you to input a time but will not display it; just date and flight number, which do not change.

In the future, we will add a dynamic feature which will tie into airlines' scheduling systems and keep the flight times current minute-by-minute, and then we will display them again.

Paul

I'm trying to fixed the right time. Something is wrong. Can you fixed it. I leave from PHX at 11:30pm and arrived in FLL around 10:40am.

I'm trying to fixed the right time. Something is wrong. Can you fixed it. I leave from PHX at 11:30pm and arrived in FLL around 10:40am.

Re-read the post immediately above yours.

Is it OK to post feature requests here? I'd like it if the times could be typed in normally (ideally in military time); the sliders are very unwieldy.

Good catch.

What we'll do it include flight number but not flight time info in the display, because times can be very fluid even on day-of travel.

The tool will still allow you to input a time but will not display it; just date and flight number, which do not change.

In the future, we will add a dynamic feature which will tie into airlines' scheduling systems and keep the flight times current minute-by-minute, and then we will display them again.

PaulLooks good ^ but the flight times do show for my flights and they are incorrect plus one does have to enter a time when inputting one's info :confused:

Looks good ^ but the flight times do show for my flights and they are incorrect plus one does have to enter a time when inputting one's info :confused:

For the time being, we're going to remove times from the tool; when we can input them automatically based on flight numbers, which will also allow them to be updated dynamically by the airlines as times change, we'll reinstate times.

P.

For the time being, we're going to remove times from the tool; when we can input them automatically based on flight numbers, which will also allow them to be updated dynamically by the airlines as times change, we'll reinstate times.

P.Some more data points....

I incorrectly entered a date and when I went to edit & change the date, the calendar for entering the date defaults to the date I entered with nothing available for prior dates and where I needed to edit it to the week before, the only way to get the calendar to show up was to cancel the edit and refresh the screen.

Also, and even tho the times are not showing on the display, you do need to enter a time and cannot simply leave the arrival time as the default as you are prompted to enter an arrival time

Great changes to the existing flight connection and great addition with the lounge thread

Some observations/suggestions:

At first glance, the add event popups are not very tablet friendly. I'm using an android tablet with the stock browser and I can't get the slider to select the right time on the touch interface.
I would love for there to be a flight look up feature so that all one has to do is put in the flight number and date and the rest is populated automatically



With a few other options out there (see link in signature) I don't know if I'll be updating as frequently, but if these issues were addressed it would entice me more.

Always willing to meet a fellow FlyerTalker :-)

Hi all - this is a fantastic tool! Looking forward to meeting some of you during my travels.

There's also an app available to allow you to do this in real-time and find others on your flight, in the airport, and share lounge access, coordinate ride sharing, etc. Some FT members are already using it and we'll be expanding new features in the next couple of months too.

Check it out at https://zamp.co or direct in the Apple App Store at https://zamp.co/app/ios?flyertalk. Android version is slated to come next.

Perhaps we can work with the FT team to integrate some of this into the mobile app as well to help you all while on the go!

Happy traveling.

I like the idea, but building it as a manual entry, stand-alone systems makes it a non-starter for me. If it automatically pulled from TripIt or WorldMate I'd be all over it; but I'm not going to manually enter the 25 flights I have booked over the next 1.5 months, especially knowing that IRROPs and misconnects are likely going to change half of them.

The system is still asking me for a time.. and where do I put the time?

The system is still asking me for a time.. and where do I put the time?

I see that -- we are going to fix it right away! Should not be asking for a time :)

Thank you -- we should have that done presently.

Paul

Another feature request. It would be nice to be able to enter airport codes instead of having to type airport names.

Another suggestion for LoungeConnect: I have a 1am departure but it does not seem possible to enter an end time after midnight if the start time is before midnight.

Wonder if one could import things from TripCase or TripIt. Would be handy for quick and easy entries.

Another feature request. It would be nice to be able to enter airport codes instead of having to type airport names.

Another suggestion for LoungeConnect: I have a 1am departure but it does not seem possible to enter an end time after midnight if the start time is before midnight.

1. You can enter airport codes :)

2. I will report the PM-AM issue.

1. You can enter airport codes :)
OK, it works but not very intuitive. When I enter 'MAN' I'm given the following to choose from with no option to scroll down the list. The list does not include the airport I want.

BAH - Bahrain International, Manama, Bahrain
CEQ - Mandelieu, Cannes, France
COG - Mandinga, Condoto, Colombia
FRU - Manas, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
HRA - Mansehra, Mansehra, Pakistan
IXE - Bajpe, Mangalore, India
JMN - Municipal Heliport, Mankato, United States
JSU - Heliport, Maniitsoq, Greenland
JVI - Central Jersey Regional Airport, Manville, United States
KMD - Mandji, Mandji, Gabon

Until I saw your reply I had assumed the only way to get the correct airport name was to start entering 'Manc' for 'Manchester, United Kingdom'. It looks like I can enter 'MAN', ignore the list of possible matches and simply click 'Save' but as I said it doesn't seem intuitive. :(

Hi all,

We've been developing a new version of FlightConnect, and a brand new sister product called LoungeConnect, to allow FTers to schedule impromptu in-flight and in-lounge get-togethers easily.

If you've been using FlightConnect to schedule your flights already, you'll notice that your existing flights on the calendar have already been copied over to the new tool! There may be one or two that get missed due to formatting issues; not to worry: just re-add them and you'll be good to go. The tool will allow other FTers to see and instantly add themselves to your event!

We're ready to release the Beta versions of these features. We'll post links to them so you can try them out and tell us what you think!

Links coming soon :)

Paul
Community Manager


Quoting from today's FlyerTalk newsletter:

• LoungeConnect is a tool similar to FlightConnect where you can post in which airport lounge you plan to use. Now you can have that impromptu gathering with fellow FlyerTalk members in airport lounges around the world - and perhaps even be a guest of a fellow FlyerTalk member if you are not a member of that particular airport lounge.

[Emphasis mine.]

I have been a harsh critic of the SkyClub meeting thread in the Delta forum. This is because I have trouble envisioning that the airlines, when establishing guesting privileges, intended that members troll for complete strangers to admit to the clubs.

Your LoungeConnect tool extends this regrettable practice to all the airlines.

Returning to DL, management there have displayed a proclivity for searching out, and perhaps exaggerating, abuses to FF benefits, in order to justify curtailing those benefits. I would hate to see my ability to guest in family members and legitimate business associates done away with because FlyerTalk thought it would be cute to help others "game the system."

There are already a wide variety of legitimate ways to gain entrance to a Sky Club (as their perennial overcrowding demonstrates). Those who support the clubs by paying for membership don't need the facilities further taxed, and the ambiance further degraded, by folks gaining admission on a scam.

That's a bit harsh.

That's a bit harsh.

I recognize that I risked that perspective.

I expect the airline to "play by the rules" in administering its various customer benefits programs. In return, I think it is only fair for the customer to deal honorably with the airline.

Inviting a total stranger into a club (and conceivably not interacting with them beyond the door) is poor form and, as I stated, not what I anticipate the airlines expect when providing guesting privileges.

I can't speak for the other airline clubs, but the experience in the DL Sky Clubs has deteriorated markedly. I attribute that, in part, to the fact that too many people can gain access with too little investment. There are too many transient users who, as opposed to a long-term paid membership, gain access via a potentially "once and done" route. Consequently, there is lessened respect for the institution and, for example, more and more folks ending up with their bare feet on the coffee tables.

IMO, guesting a total stranger into a club borders on perpetrating a fraud, especially when the member and guest part ways after entering. DL's club rules clearly state "However, you must remain with your guests at all times during the visit."

If you received an invitation to a function indicating it is for "Mr. (or Ms.) Stifle and Guest" would you feel it appropriate to advertise to locate a total stranger to take along... someone whose behavior you cannot anticipate and vouch for?

I still feel that it is out of bounds for FlyerTalk, via LoungeConnect, to seek to enable "random guesting" and I would hope that the TalkBoard reconsiders the prudence of doing so.

Cool tool, is this going to replace the individual airline threads then? EG for DL?

Cool tool, is this going to replace the individual airline threads then? EG for DL?

I'd think of this more as an additional location for this type of info -- one that consolidates meetups, like a thread can, but in an easy to read calendar format that is standardized. No plans to change any thread-based information due to this tool :)

Paul

@StayingHome it is up to the individual if they wish to guest the other person in. By sharing a common interest in this forum, they are not complete strangers.
I was glad to have been able to have guested in a fellow traveler that I did not previously know when I struck up a conversation with them and heard that had had some issues with their transport before the airport. A couple of beers in the lounge and a chat helped to smooth out the wrinkles in their travel

Think of it another way: if someone is prepared to contribute to the body of knowledge on here, other FTers might rightly be happy to reward them with guesting them into the lounge.

@StayingHome it is up to the individual if they wish to guest the other person in. By sharing a common interest in this forum, they are not complete strangers.
I was glad to have been able to have guested in a fellow traveler that I did not previously know when I struck up a conversation with them and heard that had had some issues with their transport before the airport. A couple of beers in the lounge and a chat helped to smooth out the wrinkles in their travel

Think of it another way: if someone is prepared to contribute to the body of knowledge on here, other FTers might rightly be happy to reward them with guesting them into the lounge.

Please understand that, if I had struck up a conversation with someone (say on an incoming flight) and learned that they had a travel issue that could be best resolved in the club, then I would be very likely to guest them into the club and try to help out.

But, when I view the new tool and find someone seeking to be guested into a club for a seven-hour layover (as I found today), I see this to be illustrative of the potential abuse that this system facilitates.

nice thank you

Please can we have a way to type in the times, or at least a drop-down? The sliders are insanely awkward and don't work on iThings.

I will ask tech about changing that input mechanism.

Please can we have a way to type in the times, or at least a drop-down? The sliders are insanely awkward and don't work on iThings.

Done! You can now just enter text :)

Thank you ^