More Than Points

For those of you who want more control over your in-flight entertainment, you’ll soon be able to use your iPod to drive the output of audio and video on the airplane.

Benefits include:

• Being able to watch TV shows or movies on larger seat-back monitors, ranging from 7 to 23 inches, depending on cabin class
• Connections that would power and charge iPods in flight

That’s good news, but it won’t be available to everyone.

There are a few caveats:

• Only the a few airlines have announced this connection (United, Delta, Continental, Air France, Emirates and KLM airlines)
• The service will be available only in seats that have in-flight entertainment systems in place, typically first- or business-class seats.
• Available starting mid-2007

To quote the original article from USA Today:

United plans to introduce iPod connections next year in first and business class in the wide-body aircraft that fly internationally. The Chicago-based carrier will install iPod connections when the planes are put out of service to upgrade its first-class and business cabins.

Delta will install iPod connections initially in its Boeing 757s that fly from New York and Atlanta to West Coast cities. The Atlanta-based carrier chose the 48 transcontinental aircraft to roll out the service because their seats, including the ones in coach, have already been equipped with a new in-flight entertainment system.

Delta hopes to expand the iPod connection service by 2008 to 767s and 737s that also fly long-haul domestic flights, Delta executive Joan Vincenz says. It hopes to eventually install it on international flights, she says.

Continental plans to introduce the service by the end of 2007. While the airline hasn’t firmed up its plans on how it will be introduced, it will probably start with the 41 757s that fly internationally, spokesman Dave Messing says.

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Sounds great for travelers riding business or first class in wide-bodied planes with personal in-flight entertainment systems, flying long-haul domestic or international flights!