Incident Sends Airline's Social Media Index Soaring

Marketing Daily, January 18, 2009 — At its peak on Saturday, 215 people a minute were becoming fans of Capt. Chesley B. Sullenberger III on a Facebook page set up to honor the pilot of US Airways Flight 1549.

Vitrue CEO Reggie Bradford tells Marketing Daily that this "crystallizes the amplification effect social media can uniquely deliver on a cause or brand. If brands can conjure up the right mix of ingredients, there are millions upon millions of passionate consumers who will take social actions."

Fliers go for cheap fares, with a la carte fees for bags, food

USA Today, November 12, 2008 — More than half of US air travelers now prefer buying the cheapest available ticket, then paying fees for "extras" such as food and drink, preferred seating and checking bags.