Six Airlines to Offer iPods with In-Flight Entertainment Package

iPod maker Apple is teaming up with half a dozen airlines to enable them to offer passengers seat connections that will power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the their seat back displays.

Apple said the option will be available on Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United beginning in mid-2007. But those airlines may be the first of many. Apple said it is working with Panasonic Avionics Corp. to bring in-flight iPod connectivity to more leading airlines.

Delta said last week it expects to equip its entire domestic transcontinental fleet with iPod functionality by 2008, and it tied the news to its fall launch of an upgraded transcontinental product that includes digital in-flight entertainment with on-demand movies and live satellite television.