Orbitz brings real-time airport tips to travelers

Orbitz recently launched OrbitzTLC Traveler Update, a combination of current weather and traffic conditions, flight delays, and security wait times, plus a collection of real-time, user-generated travel-condition alerts. You can access the tool online through the Orbitz website, or on mobile devices at mobile.orbitz.com.

After reading about this, I was most curious about whether, a few weeks after launch, people had adapted and were contributing to the real-time user updates. After all, there are a lot of great user-generated content ideas that don’t work because people don’t end up participating.

First I checked San Francisco Bay Area airports, but there hadn’t been any updates in the previous 24 hours at any of the airports. Then I looked at LAX and things started to get interesting. There had been 22 new updates in the last 24 hours, including travelers reporting on which lots had plenty of parking and a warning about a long line at a particular security checkpoint. Then I checked Chicago O’Hare, because it’s an airport people love to complain about, so I figured there might be some participation there, and I was right! There were a bunch of posts, including one from 21 minutes previous advising people that there was no wait for Terminal 2 curbside check-in for Continental.

I love this idea, and I’m glad to see people are contributing. Next time I’m on my way to the airport, I’ll certainly check in to see what tips my fellow passengers have to offer. And I’d love to contribute as well.