Today travel is accessible at the click of a button, the tap of a telephone key or the touch of a screen, depending on what kind and how many devices a person has at their disposal. Airlines' use of social media and other 'e' tools has become the hottest mode of communication, not only for connecting with travellers but also for allowing them to search for and book flights as well as manage their bookings on the go.

Cheapflights.co.uk, the UK's website for flight search and comparison, has pulled together a table outlining who offers what in its latest tips page on Airline eServices. Having scoured the offerings of ten of the most popular airlines, the site provides insight into all of the tools they offer with direct links to the section of the airline's main website, mobile site, Facebook page and more.

"The modern traveller is on a tight schedule and needs easy access to everything both on the go and at home," says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights.co.uk.

"In a world where the cheapest tickets sell out quickly, the ability to search for and book flights anytime from anywhere is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity. In addition to that, connecting with customers in a social space facilitates more direct contact and builds trust and reputation," says Hallak.

The airlines included in the comparison feature flagship carriers such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and KLM as well as budget airlines like easyJet and Ryanair. They were compared based on which offer any or all of the following eServices:
- Online check-in
- Mobile check-in
- Booking updates / changes to bookings online
- Mobile website
- Apps
- Facebook page
- Twitter page

Given that the majority of the airlines ticked most of the boxes, literally, for each service presented within the table, it was difficult to rank them in order of who does it best. However, the four that ticked all boxes and stood out as leaders in eServices were:
- KLM
- Virgin Atlantic
- Iberia
- Lufthansa

While all of the above provide slightly differing yet almost equally good eServices, Cheapflights.co.uk reckons the best performer to be KLM when it comes to putting social media tools to good use. The airline's facilities for mobile, online check-in and booking updates can be found through Google in literally one click as well as being easily found and accessed through its own website. The mobile site was also incredibly user friendly and the Facebook page is fun, interactive, creative, informative and friendly. Finally, KLM's mobile apps were available for most major smartphones including iPhone, Blackberry and Android.