Apple iPod joins the mile-high club

By Robert Jaques on Nov 15, 2006 8:58 AM
Filed under Hardware

Airlines to offer in-flight entertainment systems that integrate with iPods.

Apple has announced deals with six airline companies to offer in-flight entertainment systems that integrate with iPod media players.

Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United will offer iPod seat connections which power and charge the devices during flight and allow video content to be viewed on seat-back displays.

"There is no better travelling companion than an iPod, and travellers can now power their iPods during flight and watch their iPod movies and TV shows on their seat-back displays," said Greg Joswiak, vice president of worldwide iPod product marketing at Apple.

Apple is also working with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to offer in-flight iPod connectivity to other airlines in the future.

The announcement coincides with today's launch of Microsoft's rival digital media player, Zune.

However, with almost 70 million iPods sold, Apple's devices are the world's most popular digital music and portable video players by some considerable margin.