MAS launches new Facebook application

KUALA LUMPUR: Passengers can now book and check in flights via the newly-launched Malaysia Airlines Facebook application, MHbuddy. MAS executive vice-president (commercial strategy) Dr Amin Khan said customers would also be able to share trip details with their Facebook friends. “With MHbuddy, customers who book a flight are reminded of their friends who live at the destination they are headed for. They are also prompted if any of their friends on Facebook are also planning to travel to the same destination,” he said, adding that it was also possible for passengers to share their itinerary with their friends on Facebook.

One for the album: Bloggers taking a group picture with MAS advertising and promotions head Khairul Syahar Khalid (third from left, back row). Next to him are judges of the ‘I MAS Travel’ contest – Yahoo! South-East Asia custom brand experience editor Karen Vera, Raja Zamilia and MAStraveller.com content manager Farzleen Fadzil Khan.

MHbuddy users can select their seats as well as view the seats of their friends travelling on the same flight. The application, which can be accessed from the Malaysia Airlines Facebook page, was developed jointly with Sita Lab, an air transport communications and IT solutions company. MAS also launched its “I MAS Travel” competition for bloggers last night where three winners will be awarded a page each at the Yahoo! Travel website to share their holiday experiences as well as an all-expense paid trip to two popular international holiday destinations.

MAS executive vice-president (communications) Raja Zamilia Raja Datuk Seri Mansur said the website www.mastraveller.com was been set up to inspire travel and provide a platform for travellers to share tips and travel experiences. “Register as a MAStraveller member, submit a travel-related blog post and a one-minute video introduction of yourself telling the judges why you deserve to win,” she said, adding that participants had to promote their entries to their friends and readers. Voting will be conducted using the Facebook “like” button, which will accompany each entry on MAStraveller website.

Blogger Wilson Lai, 40, also known as Wingz on his blogwww.rojaks.blogspot.com said the MAStraveller site was a good resource for those going to a new place. “Travelling takes lots of planning. Now with personal reviews from other passengers, we’ll know where to visit and eat when we arrive in a new country,” he said. Another blogger, Ng Mei Yee, 29, of www.iamthewitch.com, was happy that MAS was reaching out to online media. “This will encourage many to become bloggers as well, and broaden the online social media group in Malaysia,” said the food and travel blogger. More information about the contest is available atwww.mastraveller.com.

-thestar online.