Looking to “upgrade their entertainment systems,” a handful of carriers including United Airlines will soon offer passengers seat connections for their iPod portable media devices.
The connection will ensure users have an unlimited battery life for the duration of the flight and also allow them to view their stored video content on displays fixed into the back of seats.
It’s unclear if the service will trickle down to the “commoners” in Coach but, it’s a sure thing thus far for first and business-class passengers.
The real motives behind the deal appear to be both a chance for airlines to provide cheap entertainment for their passengers, as well as to provide Apple an opportunity to expand its share of the digital music player market.
Airlines, particularly US carriers, are constantly looking for ways to cut costs, be it eliminating meals, pillows, blankets, you name it. Eliminating movies and other forms of entertainment on long flights, especially international ones, is an area of cost cutting that’s certainly been on their radar for a while.
With Apple the plan is a chance for it to try and further its current 75% share of the digital music player market in the US. Though here it seems like a tough sell, for if you haven’t already purchased a portable media player I don’t know that this will all of a sudden make you run out and buy one. But, in all fairness it could perhaps convince future customers, such as those seeking to replace a unit or purchase one for others, that the iPod is simply more convenient and universal.
All in all have to admit that this plan appears to be a good one. After all, who better to choose the “inflight movies” than oneself? Now hopefully they can afford to bring back the pillows and blankets.
The following is the list of airlines who will begin offering the service: Air France, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, KLM, and United Airlines.
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