14 DAY TRIAL // When the news about the deal between Apple and several airlines to offer iPod seamless integration between iPods and in-flight entertainment systems came out, I for one was really happy. After Apple managed to strike deals with car manufacturers to offer this kind of integration for the iPod, this was the obvious next step that I was expecting and when I heard that airlines were "on board", I was kind of glad. Well, it seems that not all airlines are "ready" for this.
Reuters reports: Apple said in its statement that Air France and KLM were also part of the agreement. However, those two airlines said it was premature to be definitive. "It's way too early to confirm any such details," said an Air France spokesman referring to the iPod seat connectivity and a mid-2007 availability date.
Why would it be too early? Certainly hope that Microsoft didn't get to them first and closed such deals... although I don't think that Microsoft would hazard itself to such a thing. KLM seems to share the same opinion; too early... "It's very premature what Apple are saying," said a KLM spokesman, noting that there have been "informal contacts" between Apple and the airline. "We have no idea if this is technically feasible, if it's financially viable, or it customers want it," he said. "At this moment, we have absolutely no intention of introducing it on board."
Apparently, the fact that it was announced that Air France and KLM were going to cooperate with Apple was a problem of "miscommunication". Clearly we have had a miscommunication with AirFrance-KLM, but we are excited about announcing iPod integration with in-flight entertainment systems on Continental, Delta, Emirates and United today.
Anyway, the other four airlines (Continental Airlines, Delta Air Line, Dubai's Emirates and United Airlines) are going to offer such features on their flights for any iPod user.
United said that the deal is part of its broader plan to upgrade international first- and business-class travel. "There is significant value in offering a superior in-flight entertainment experience to our first- and business-class customers during their international flights," said Graham Atkinson, executive vice president and chief customer officer.
Calyon's Neidl said he believed Apple and other airlines would soon announce similar deals. "It's a nice add-on, makes customers happier, keeps them out of flight attendants' hair," he said.
Service at participating airlines will begin in the middle of next year, Apple said. Other terms of deals were not disclosed. All airlines are "looking to upgrade their entertainment systems, especially for longer distance flights," said Ray Neidl, senior airline analyst at Calyon Securities. "This is just one way of doing it." While many travelers now use laptop computers or portable DVDs players to watch videos, those devices have limited battery life. To date, Apple has sold nearly 70 million iPods and more than 1.5 billion songs through its iTunes music store. It has also made popular TV shows and movies available for purchase and download through its Internet store, Reuters writes.