Six Airlines to Offer iPod Integration

Soon airline passengers of six major airlines will be able to charge their iPods as well as view videos stored on the devices on the seat back displays of those airlines, Apple announced on Tuesday. The functionality is expected to be available by mid-2007.

It was not immediately clear whether the integration would also support older iPod models that do not have video support.

Airlines participating include Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United. While these would be the initial partners, Apple said it was working with Panasonic's avionics arm to bring the functionality to additional carriers.

"There is no better traveling companion than an iPod," Apple marketing vice president Greg Joswiak said. "Now travelers can power their iPods during flight and even watch their iPod movies and TV shows on their seat back displays."

Airline integration is a testament to the iPod's increasing prevalence in modern society. Over 70 percent 2007-model US automobiles now offer iPod connectivity, and the music device has an robust ecosystem of over 3,000 accessories.