10 Travel Brands Crushing It on Twitter (Real Examples That Convert)

Virgin Atlantic doesn't just tweet about flights. They tweet with personality that makes you want to fly with them. Their social team responds to everything from flight delays to random customer questions with wit that feels genuinely human. During the 2023 travel chaos, while other airlines sent robotic apology tweets, Virgin Atlantic's team was cracking jokes, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and turning frustrated passengers into brand advocates. Best for: Brands wanting to show personality while handling customer service Stay here: Their crisis communication during Storm Eunice showed how humor can defuse tension. Instead of corporate speak, they tweeted updates with personality while keeping passengers informed. Time Out tip: Study their reply game. They turn every customer complaint into a public display of excellent service.

Southwest treats Twitter like their customer service headquarters, and it shows. With 2.1 million followers and a 3.1% engagement rate, they prove that excellent service scales on social media. Their response time averages under 30 minutes during business hours, and they resolve 78% of customer issues directly on the platform without requiring phone calls or DMs. What sets Southwest apart is their proactive approach. They monitor mentions, weather patterns, and airport delays to tweet helpful information before customers even ask. During flight disruptions, they tweet gate changes, rebooking options, and compensation details in real-time. Best for: Airlines and travel services prioritizing customer experience Stay here: Their holiday travel period management shows master-class crisis prevention through proactive communication. Time Out tip: They tweet practical travel tips year-round, not just during problems, building goodwill that pays off during disruptions.

Airbnb turned their 4.2 million Twitter followers into content creators. Their strategy is simple: showcase real guest experiences, not stock photos. Every day, they retweet guest photos, host stories, and unique property discoveries. This approach generates authentic content while building a community of travelers who actively promote the brand. Their #AirbnbExperience hashtag has generated over 2 million posts across platforms, with Twitter driving significant engagement. They curate the best user content, adding context about locations, booking tips, and travel inspiration. During the pandemic, they pivoted to showcase long-term stays and work-from-anywhere setups, staying relevant when traditional travel stopped. Best for: Travel platforms with strong user-generated content potential Stay here: Their ability to make every property feel like a destination, not just accommodation, through strategic retweeting and community building. Time Out tip: They respond to negative reviews publicly on Twitter, showing transparency that builds trust with potential guests.

KLM treats Twitter like a testing ground for travel tech innovation. They were among the first airlines to handle booking changes via direct message, integrate real-time flight tracking, and use Twitter's API for automated customer service responses. Their 1.8 million followers get access to features that often roll out platform-wide later. Their "KLM Blue Bot" handles routine inquiries, freeing human agents for complex issues. During major events like the Olympics or World Cup, they create custom Twitter experiences with live updates, route information, and personalized recommendations based on user preferences gathered from social interactions. Best for: Tech-forward travel companies wanting to innovate customer experience Stay here: Their integration of Twitter with booking systems lets customers check-in, change seats, and receive boarding passes through tweets. Time Out tip: They publish quarterly innovation reports showing how Twitter feedback shapes new features and services.

JetBlue's Twitter account feels like your funniest friend who happens to work for an airline. With 2.3 million followers and a 2.7% engagement rate, they prove humor drives business results. Their tweets about everything from coffee quality to celebrity passengers create genuine moments that people share organically. During flight delays, instead of corporate apologies, they tweet things like "Gate B12 is having trust issues. We're working through it together." This approach turns frustrating situations into shareable moments. Their Super Bowl tweet storms, holiday travel jokes, and responses to current events consistently go viral, expanding reach far beyond their follower base. Best for: Brands comfortable taking risks with humor in customer communications Stay here: Their ability to stay topical and relevant without being forced or trying too hard to trend. Time Out tip: They balance humor with genuine helpfulness, never making jokes at customers' expense during real problems.

Booking.com uses Twitter as a flash sale platform, dropping limited-time deals that drive immediate bookings. Their 890K followers get first access to inventory clearance, last-minute cancellations, and exclusive Twitter-only promotions. They tweet time-sensitive offers with clear booking deadlines, creating urgency that converts followers into customers. Their strategy combines destination inspiration with immediate booking opportunities. A typical tweet might showcase a stunning hotel photo with "48 hours only: 40% off this Prague castle view. Link in bio." They track click-through rates and booking conversions from Twitter, optimizing posting times and deal types based on performance data. Best for: Travel booking platforms with inventory to move quickly Stay here: Their ability to make every tweet feel like insider access to exclusive deals. Time Out tip: They use Twitter polls to gauge demand for potential destinations, then create targeted deals based on response volume.

Emirates uses Twitter to showcase luxury travel experiences that justify premium pricing. With 3.4 million followers, they tweet high-quality content that makes coach passengers dream about first class. Their strategy focuses on aspiration: private suites, chef-prepared meals, and exclusive airport lounges that most followers will never experience but love to see. Their Twitter content includes behind-the-scenes crew training, aircraft maintenance, and destination guides that position Emirates as travel experts, not just transportation. During major events, they tweet exclusive access content from their VIP passengers, creating FOMO that drives booking consideration for future trips. Best for: Luxury travel brands wanting to justify premium positioning Stay here: Their ability to make luxury feel attainable while maintaining exclusivity appeal. Time Out tip: They strategically tweet economy class content alongside luxury features, making the brand accessible while showcasing upgrades.

Despite having only 425K followers, Hostelworld achieves a 4.2% engagement rate by building genuine community around budget travel. Their Twitter feels like a travel advice forum where backpackers share tips, warn about scams, and celebrate budget travel wins. They retweet user stories, share budget travel hacks, and create conversations that feel authentic to the backpacker community. Their content strategy focuses on practical advice: "How to eat well in Tokyo for $10/day," "Safe solo female travel tips for Southeast Asia," and real guest reviews with photos. During major travel periods, they tweet real-time availability and last-minute deals specifically for young travelers with flexible schedules. Best for: Budget travel brands and youth-focused travel services Stay here: Their authentic connection with the backpacker community creates loyalty that extends beyond individual bookings. Time Out tip: They use Twitter to crowdsource travel advice, then compile the best responses into booking-driving content series.

Marriott's 1.6 million Twitter followers get curated luxury lifestyle content that extends far beyond hotel rooms. Their strategy positions Marriott properties as lifestyle destinations, tweeting about local experiences, exclusive events, and partnerships with luxury brands. They showcase everything from rooftop bars in Manhattan to spa treatments in Bali, creating desire for the complete Marriott experience. Their content calendar aligns with luxury consumer interests: fashion weeks, art exhibitions, culinary events, and seasonal travel trends. They collaborate with influencers and celebrities who stay at Marriott properties, amplifying reach through strategic partnerships and authentic endorsements. Best for: Luxury hotel chains and upscale travel experiences Stay here: Their ability to make every property feel like a destination worth visiting, not just a place to sleep. Time Out tip: They tweet exclusive previews of new properties and renovations, giving followers insider access to luxury travel trends.

Delta's 1.9 million Twitter followers rely on them for the most accurate, timely flight information on social media. Their operational excellence extends to social media, with real-time updates about weather delays, gate changes, and rebooking options. They tweet proactive information before passengers ask, reducing customer service volume while improving satisfaction. During major disruptions, Delta's Twitter becomes a reliable news source for travelers across all airlines. Their tweets include specific timelines, compensation policies, and alternative solutions. They've invested in systems that automatically tweet updates for flights with delays over 30 minutes, keeping passengers informed without overwhelming their social media team. Best for: Airlines and travel services prioritizing operational reliability Stay here: Their integration of operational systems with social media provides passengers with information faster than airport displays. Time Out tip: They use Twitter analytics to identify and address recurring customer pain points before they become widespread complaints.