A flight with a Miss Texas winner reminded a man how much fun it can be to fly, and it helped him launch a new business, KPRC Local 2 reported Friday.
Peter Shankman, the New York-based entrepreneur who started the Web site www.Airtroductions.com , said the motivation for his business came from the idea that frequent fliers try to avoid certain passengers -- those who snore, crying babies and others who may interrupt a peaceful trip.
"Your first initial reaction is, 'Please don't let anyone horrible sit next to me,'" Shankman said. "You sit there with the Jaws theme playing in your head, watching the people come down the aisle."
It led to a new Web site that allows people to network before flying and to choose side-by-side seats if they find another member they would like to meet.
"I built the Web site with the simple concept if you could make your flight, if you choose to sit next to who you wanted to sit next to, air travel could be fun again," Shankman said.
On www.Airtroductions.com , a user types in his or her flight plan to see if any members are on it.
If a like-minded member is found, the user can send him or her an e-mail for a $5 fee.
"I just thought it was a great way to meet other people in business," said Michael Bruso, a Houston user.
The original plan was for the site to focus on networking. But it has turned out to be more about pleasure than business.
"Like many things on the Internet, the concept of dating and love and things along those lines immediately kicked in," Shankman said.
While the site has not led to marriage yet, nearly 15,000 people have gotten on board since it launched in October.
"For every new member, that really increase the chances of matching with someone on your flight," Shankman said.
Air carrier Southwest Airlines has been doing something similar with its open-seating policy.
"(It's) something we love to hear -- stories from our customers. Tell us how they might have met on an hour-plane conversation, in gate area, and now they're married today," said Southwest Airlines spokeswoman Allison Hawkins.
Jessica Avaloz and Jonathan Lewis met while waiting for a plane. But it was Southwest's seating policy that caused a love connection.
"We sat by each other on the plane and we just talked about ... we talked about everything," Lewis said.
"The conversations just flowed," Avaloz said.
"You know when you meet someone you know you are supposed to meet," Lewis said.
That was two years ago. The two will marry at the end of October.
"It's sheer coincidence and I think it fits into our relaxed atmosphere," Hawkins said.
If you don't want to wait on fate, then there's AirTroductions.
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