Virgin America promotes in-flight flirting

[Mike Scott]

Something new in the way of in-flight entertainment

Hey, cutie. Fly this route often?

If you're taking a Virgin America flight and have a "single-and-looking-to-mingle" vibe, a free drink may be coming your way. Sir Richard Branson, chairman and founder of Virgin Group, recently announced that passengers will be able to buy each other drinks and snacks via the in-flight entertainment system.

Here's how it works. You spy a hottie in 22B. Is he or she with anyone? Doesn't look like it. You order the object of your affection a Funkin Margarita Mixer and some Chex Mix (large bag), because you know a thing or two about the art of seduction. Then you include a note: "Maybe this is the recycled air talking, but I'd love to browse SkyMall with you."

Or something. In a video explaining the new feature for flirting with other passengers (whether they're interested or not), Branson says, "I'm not a betting man, but I'd say your chance of deplaning with a plus-one are at least 50 percent."

We'd say that's a tad optimistic. Comments on the clip's YouTube video are heavy on the snark. One person writes, “Here's a suggestion. Get rid of this service, take down this embarrassing video, and try to forget this ever happened.” Another asks: “This could get really complicated and awkward. Can you deny the service?”

And this sarcastic comment sums up the feelings of the dissenters. "Because hitting on people in an enclosed space where nobody can possibly leave if they're made to feel uncomfortable for several hours is obviously a really good idea."

We know at least one guy who thinks so.

http://travel.yahoo.com/blogs/compas...182023627.html