A standard name for this is networking: you explain your need to people IRL, or in your blog or wherever, and hope for useful feedback. The replies you get will be customized to you and your relationship with those reading/listening. No one is likely to offer a free plane ride to a total stranger.

We all know that some of the best opportunities are never advertised publicly, be it a plane ride with a friend, a manager's special at a store, or a covetous job opening. There are many more opportunities for couch surfing than posted on couchsurfing.org, etc.