Blue Legends: New Lufthansa app provides social recognition for virtual “check-ins” at Lufthansa locations worldwide
Lufthansa is the first airline, and one of ten companies, building on the newly developed foursquare Connected Apps environment
Toronto, ON, June 29, 2012 – Following the motto of “living on the badge,” Lufthansa invites you to virtually check in with the new Blue Legends app. Passengers can share tips, information, earn badges and showcase their achievements via various social networks. Blue Legends gives users the opportunity to virtually “check in” to airports, lounges and Lufthansa flights through foursquare. This does not, however, take the place of actually checking in for a Lufthansa flight. Passengers gain recognition for regularly checking in virtually to Lufthansa venues. For example, customer’s flying across the Atlantic Ocean can unlock the “Atlantic Badge” and users can become “Expert Pilots” on the routes they fly most frequently. Early risers who check in before 6 a.m. are awarded the “Early Bird” badge. And, anyone who racks up more than 241,092 miles with Lufthansa will receive the “To the Moon” badge. Badge by badge, regular travellers who check in most frequently to Lufthansa venues can become true “legends of the skies” with Blue Legends.
“Lufthansa has found social media to be an excellent vehicle for communicating with our customers and for passengers to connect directly with us” said Nicola Lange, Lufthansa’s Director Marketing & Customer Relations, The Americas. Back in 2009, Lufthansa developed the MySkyStatus application which allows users to send automatic status updates about their flights to their friends on social networks. Since 2010, Miles & More participants have been able to share travel tips through the MemberScout app. “With foursquare’s new Connected Apps, Lufthansa can take that interaction to the next level. As passengers check-in at hundreds of Lufthansa venues around the world, the airline will gain a greater understanding of travelers’ needs and interests,” continued Ms. Lange.
Blue Legends is built around the location-based social network Foursquare and is available now in a beta version in the foursquare gallery or at www.lufthansa.com/blue-legends. foursquare is primarily used on mobile devices where users can broadcast their current location via social networks by “checking in.” A user who checks in frequently with foursquare becomes a “Mayor”. The user’s position is determined either via radio location or GPS so the app can show nearby locations to check into (such as a Lufthansa lounge, a Lufthansa flight by number, public buildings, places of interest or restaurants).
About Lufthansa
One of the world’s largest and most prestigious airlines, Lufthansa currently flies to 211 destinations in 84 countries, with hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, and with its recent acquisition of Austrian Airlines and SWISS – Vienna and Zurich. From its 21 North American gateways, Lufthansa- recently voted by Fortune as one of the five most admired airlines in the world- and its partners serve over 450 destinations in more than 120 countries. An industry innovator, Lufthansa has long been committed to environmental care and sustainability, operating the most technically-advanced and fuel-efficient fleet in the world. Its long-haul fleet to and from North America includes the Boeing 747-400, as well as the Airbus A340 sub fleet. Currently, Lufthansa has over 150 new aircraft worth about $18 billion on order. It will be the largest European operator of the A380 and is also the launch customer for the new Boeing 747-8, the industries’ two most fuel-efficient passenger aircraft. Known for its premium services, Lufthansa continues its $150 million program earmarked for building new or upgrading existing lounge facilities across its worldwide network and will spend more than $1.4 billion in new onboard products and services by 2015. In 2010, Lufthansa re-launched its broadband wireless Internet service onboard, FlyNet. For more information or reservations, visit www.lufthansa.com.
About foursquare
foursquare is a free mobile application that helps you and your friends make the most of where you are. Wherever you go, you can use foursquare to share and catalog all of your experiences. Looking for inspiration for what to do next? Open up the app to get personalized recommendations and deals based on where you, your friends, and people with your tastes have already been.
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