United dominates influencers’ talk on X during H1 2024

According to GlobalData, United Airlines leads influencer discussions on X during H1 2024, noting the carrier has dominated discussions among the influencers on the social media platform “X” during the first half (H1) of 2024 (Jan. 1 to June 24), capturing a 19.04% share of conversations about US-based airline companies.

The remaining top mentioned airline companies were American Airlines Group Inc, JetBlue Airways Corp, Alaska Airlines Inc, Delta Air Lines Inc, Southwest Airlines Co, Spirit Airlines Inc, Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc, Skywest Airlines Pty Limited, and Hawaiian Holdings Inc.

Shreyasee Majumder, Social Media Analyst at GlobalData, said that: “In early 2024, safety became a prominent topic in the US airline industry, following the inspections and grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 underscoring the industry’s dedication to passenger safety and regulatory compliance.”

Majumder continued: “Influencers have observed a favourable trend, notably commending United Airlines for its unwavering commitment to safety and strict adherence to regulations.”

As well, Majumder said: “SkyWest Airlines is frequently mentioned by influencers for its robust safety measures and responsive handling of in-flight emergencies, highlighting its commitment to passenger security and medical readiness during flights.”

Conversations spiked up the most in January 2024, when United Airlines grounded its Boeing 737 Max 9 fleet for critical inspections. They extensively praised United’s swift implementation of new FAA safety guidelines, including meticulous checks for loose bolts and door plugs. Influencers highlighted the airline’s careful approach to resuming flights, commending its transparency and strong commitment to safety, especially after an in-flight incident led to the comprehensive grounding of all Max 9 aircraft.

American Airlines garnered substantial attention of influencers in late January and February 2024, appearing as the second most-mentioned company with 18.6% share of voice, driven by discussions surrounding the launch of a new service to Australia and significant layoffs affecting customer service roles.

Influencers responded positively to American Airlines’ launch of a new service to Australia, praising the upgraded business class for its enhanced comfort and service features aimed at business travellers and long-haul passengers.

Majumder explained: “However, concerns arose over the airline’s decision to lay off over 600 customer service roles, citing potential impacts on service quality and increased wait times for assistance. Some influencers viewed this restructuring as a strategic move to cut costs amid operational challenges, prompting discussions on the trade-offs between maintaining service quality and achieving financial efficiency.”

Go to www.globaldata.com for more.