JetBlue Airways is starting off 2012 with a new web and mobile strategy. The Forest Hills, N.Y.-based low-cost carrier just debuted its native iPhone app, along with redesigned web and mobile sites.

JetBlue is late to the game, but it has rolled out an app with high functionality despite its clean design. The airline developed its new digital strategy with the help of digital agency Rokkan, app developer DoubleEncore and the input of more than 15,000 customers.

The new app, available for download at the iTunes store, offers all the basics—booking, check-in and flight-status monitoring. Other features include weather reports for destination cities, and easy organization of past and upcoming trips. It also includes a virtual postcard tool and connectivity to social networks so users can share their travel experiences. In addition, travelers can scout in-flight amenities like snacks, beverages, movies and DIRECTV schedules.

JetBlue aimed for more personalization in designing its new platforms—what a user sees will depend on geo-targeting, booking history and any preferences they have entered into the TrueBlue rewards program. The website also includes a feature called “Pick Me Up” that allows users to not only share their itinerary with a friend in their destination city, but also to send that friend maps and traffic reports.

Travelers can expect to see better apps soon from other airlines, predicts Colleen Taylor writing at Gigaom.com. She points to a CNN story from last fall highlighting an Airline IT Trends Survey that found that more than 90 percent of carriers plan to increase their investment in mobile.

Photo: JetBlue

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Airline Industry Getting in on Travel Apps

Hotel apps for mobile devices are so common now that smart phone and tablet users are drowning in a sea of apps put out by hotel groups and travel sites. To cut through the clutter, mobile websites and applications for hotels are now looking to develop apps that stand out in some way.

Foodler

Foodler: It started out as an online service for ordering takeouts, but after the launch of its mobile website, Foodler has now come up with a “virtual room service” concept for hotels.

If a boutique hotel without a restaurant wants to offer room service to guests, they can get a Foodler Web page specially made for the hotel that will help guests uncover cuisines from local restaurants nearby that are open and able to deliver to them.

“With Foodler at your service, we are adding value for local hotels and inns who may not have their own restaurants or kitchens, but still know that quality dining is a huge part of the lodging experience,” says Foodler co-founder John Jannotti. “Our commitment has always been focused on making online ordering easy and fast for our customers, and this new service truly simplifies the process for hotel guests who are unfamiliar with the city and need a comprehensive resource for food delivery.”

The Mirage: Need room service even if you’re not in the room? It happens in Las Vegas, at least it does at The Mirage. Its Vegas Starts Here app allows guests to order room service when they’re still in a taxi, playing poker or relaxing in a poolside cabana, with the items often ready and waiting by the time guests return to their rooms.

MGM Resorts International (formerly MGM Mirage) last year launched several other iPhone apps, including an augmented reality app called Vegas Reality that allows guests to order room service and take a tour of Vegas hotels, restaurants and attractions.

Hotels.com: Earlier this month, Hotels.com organized an “extreme” stunt by athlete and stuntman JT Holmes to show how easily and quickly users of its Smarter App can book a hotel room from almost anywhere, even at the very last minute.

JT Holmes booking hotel room up in the air

JT Holmes jumped out of a plane at 15,000 feet and booked a room while hurtling down to earth in a 115 m.p.h. free fall, before landing safely on the Lake Tahoe beach of the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort with a confirmed hotel booking.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith: This Plan and Play app has a bucket-load of extras to help make a romantic boutique hotel stay even more enjoyable. The app comes with a risqué game of truth or dare, a get-out-of-work excuses generator (pick an email template, edit and send), and how-to guides for strip poker, minibar cocktail recipes and more.

Photos – Foodler, Hotels.com

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Why do travel and tourism companies need to invest in new media?

Because it works.

Specifically, social media and mobile technology are generating revenue for hospitality businesses that are taking advantage of online social networks and mobile applications. Hilton Worldwide recently reported that more than 100,000 nights were booked at Hilton hotels through its mobile apps, which have been downloaded more than 340,000 times, according to senior VP of corporate strategy Kevin Jacobs, who added that Hilton had “gone all in” with its social media strategy.

Other brands have also embraced new media, including Facebook and Twitter, to build their visibility. The Cornell Hospitality Research Summit presented a study by Peter O’Conner, a professor at Essec Business School, that noted several companies had experienced success in the space, including Marriott, which O’Connor named the most visible online brand; Holiday Inn, which had the most ‘likes’ on Facebook; and Hyatt Regency, which recorded the most activity across online social networks.

Independent properties are looking to follow in the mobile footsteps of some of the top brands. The Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, for example, launched a mobile application on Monday that would allow guests to schedule their housekeeping and car service during their stay. The historic property also has experimented with integrating QR codes into its campaigns. Recognizing the trend, app developers have begun working to create application templates like SmartyStay for boutique hotels with smaller budgets.

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Groupon VA Chicago deal

Feature 1: Virgin America made a splashy landing at O’Hare with a Groupon deal that offered a $70 discount (35 percent) on the introductory round-trip $198 price of travel between San Francisco and Chicago or Los Angeles and Chicago.
Virgin America Deal of the Day – Groupon Chicago

685 Groupon members bought it and the deal sold out. The question that’s being asked now is: Can Groupon take to the skies with its first airline deal? VentureBeat
How to use local deal sites to save on your next trip - NYT
Priceline wants to buy a Groupon clone – SF Chronicle

Feature 2: Southwest Airlines has introduced new features to its hotel booking page, including TripAdvisor traveler ratings and reviews, multi-room booking capability and neighborhood searches.

At the same time, TripAdvisor itself has upgraded its iPad app to offer virtual tours using augmented reality and Google’s Street View. Meanwhile, RIM launched its BlackBerry travel app with hotel booking capability.

Southwest Airlines introduces new hotel booking features – Southwest.com
TripAdvisor adds virtual tours using augmented reality to iPad app – TripAdvisor.com
RIM launches BlackBerry travel app – RIM

Here’s the rest of the week’s interesting news:-

Marriott supplants Wyndham as world’s second-biggest hotel company - HNN
Marriott to spin off timeshare business – Marriott.com
Will Wyndham be the next big name to distance itself from timeshare? WSJ

Delta fares dropped from FareCompare - Seattle Times
Travelport: AA’s discount code for Kayak violated agreement - Travel Weekly
Travelport removes AA surcharges after AA backs off GDS fee – eTravel Blackboard
Sabre, Expedia warned by U.S. regulators against bias in displaying flight, fare data - Bloomberg

Senate votes to outlaw distribution of body-scan images - WSJ
Congressman wants passenger bill of rights to become a law – CNN

Roger Dow on plan to invest in high-speed rail – USTravel
Florida’s Rick Scott sends high-speed rail packing - TIME.com

Google search results get more social - NYT
Google will change your distribution strategy - HNN
One Pass: Google’s new frequent-flier program? WSJ

Tweet about tourism value triggers RoboCop statue campaign in Detroit - Freep.com
What hibernating bears can tell us about space travel - CSMonitor.com
Faking a vacation? Florida hotel will hook you up - LA Times.com

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto opens live on the internet – UpTake
Princess ships to broadcast royal wedding - Gadling.com

787 Dreamliner teaches Boeing costly lesson on outsourcing – LA Times
China main driver behind 800 million more air travelers by 2014 – IATA

Report: Global aircraft engines, parts and equipment market to reach $122 billion by 2015 – Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (PR)
Report: ROI Refresh: Travel as a competitive advantage – AmEx Global Business Travel (PR)
Report: TripAdvisor business listings ROI - Tripadvisor4biz
Report: Travelers spend more on activities than cruises, packages or car rentals - PhoCusWright