NB: This is a viewpoint from Kyle Killion, co-founder of Flights With Friends.
Tnooz asked me to share my experience on the Ungrounded trip last week - it was an intense experience, and as I'm experiencing intense jet lag it has taken a while to pull my thoughts together!
For those who don't know the so-called Ungrounded flight was put on by British Airways as a way to create solutions that might solve the gap between global STEM demand and resources.
In other words, we need more people working in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to create the innovations that increase the productivity that drives the global economy.
The idea was to put 100 innovators from Silicon Valley and across the US on an airplane where we would have 11 uninterrupted hours to come up with solutions to the previously mentioned problem.
Once we landed we would meet with the ITU (part of the UN) and the G8 so they could help turn the ideas into reality.
The problem was broken into four areas to be tackled by four teams.
The trip began on a beautiful San Francisco day at the Clift hotel. We were greeted by British Airways staff in full uniform. Simon Talling-Smith from British Airways kicked things off before going introducing panels and speakers outlining the task ahead.
Gavin Newsom sent us off with a speech that was both brief and funny, something all politicians should aspire to.
We were then whisked off to San Francisco Airport and the British Airways lounge for a cocktail and getting to meet the flight crew before we boarded. When you have 130 people divided into four teams on a 747 logistical issues will arise.
IDEO was brought into organize the process. Unfortunately that meant I was in economy, but I did get a row to myself!
Because of the narrow aisles, noise, and lack of places to gather it turns out that modern commercial jets are not the optimal environment for interpersonal interaction.
But the groups made it work and came up with a winning idea from each.
After landing and being awake for 24 hours we were treated to a cocktail reception at the House of Lords hosted by the Baroness Scotland (including a tour).
[Note for tourists that would like photos in places where photography is not allowed - guards do not know what Google Glass is yet.]
We awoke early the next morning to attend the G8 innovation summit with presentations by leading entrepreneurs and executives, as well as the UK prime minister David Cameron, among others.
The winning ideas were presented there and at the DNA summit that followed. Based on those meetings and with the support of the ITU and the enthusiasm of their creators the ideas will soon be coming to fruition.
So what does this have to do with travel?
I think the key takeaway is that an airline with a storied history is finding new and interesting ways to innovate. Clearly British Airways understands that a rising tide raises all ships.
Creating solutions to the problem of global STEM misalignment will drive economies upward and create more demand for their service.
British Airways also understands that the convergence of disparate specializations is the place where new ideas come from. Because their advisory board chose entrepreneurs, idealists, writers, and lawyers different perspectives came together to create a great whole.
Because British Airways also represents a nation they looked beyond themselves and their borders to Silicon Valley.
The Valley often thinks of itself as the source of innovation but hopefully this trip has shown that new ideas come from anywhere, but sometimes a little prodding is needed to shake them loose.
NB: This is a viewpoint from Kyle Killion, co-founder of Flights With Friends.
NB2: Who is the last guy you would expect to meet at a British Airways-hosted event? :)