Are you addicted to your iPod? I must admit, if you are flying solo, having one sure helps pass the time when forced to stand in atrociously long airport security lines. And speaking of long security lines, have you ever come across a teen waiting in line not wearing an iPod? This next bit of travel news may be especially welcome to that segment of the population.
According to Apple, beginning in 2007, six major airlines will install iPod connections in their in-flight entertainment systems. The on-board connection will be available on selected flights of United, Delta, Continental, Air France, Emirates and KLM airlines. The only catch–the service will be available only in seats that have in-flight entertainment systems in place, typically first-or business-class seats.
I love that the airlines will be offering the service, however, I’m not so pleased that they are once again catering to elite travelers. But, such is life. The planned upgrade was done in a partnership between the airlines and Apple—both who admit that the addition was initiated by the increasingly heated competition to offer more in-flight entertainment to their “best customers.”
Technology analysts say the move reflects the airlines’ recognition that iPod is “a central component of future entertainment systems.” What’s more, analysts speculate that Apple may benefit because the deal gives consumers one more reason to choose iPod over other MP3 players.
According to the airlines, the connections will be available starting mid-2007, and would power and charge iPods in flight. They would allow iPod owners to watch and listen to videos and songs that they brought along, instead of having to watch airlines’ programming. Instead of using the small iPod screen, passengers will be able to watch TV shows or movies on larger seat-back monitors. They range from 7 inches to 23 inches, depending on the cabin class. Word has it that the new connections work with regular iPods and iPod Nano, but don’t work with iPod Shuffle–a less-expensive version.
United and Continental Airlines say they plan to introduce the service on its international flights. While Delta says it plans to install the new iPod connections initially in its Boeing 757s that fly from New York and Atlanta to West Coast cities. The airline says it chose those transcontinental flights because their seats, including the ones in coach, have already been equipped with a new in-flight entertainment system.
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