Emirates to offer iPod on board flights

Emirates is flying to the exciting new world of digital media by teaming up with computer pioneer Apple to offer seamless iPod integration with its in-flight entertainment systems

This comes only a week after announcing it will be the world’s first airline to offer its passengers in-flight mobile phone use across its entire fleet.

The Dubai-based airline’s passengers – who already enjoy more than 600 channels of

in-flight entertainment on its award-winning ‘ice’ system – will soon have one of the world’s first on-board iPod integrations, enabling them to use the portable devices to enjoy their own choice of music and videos, including full-length feature films, on their seat-back screens.

Emirates’ integrated iPod seat connection is scheduled for introduction from mid-2007. It will also provide a constant power source to ensure that passengers’ iPods are charged for the duration of their flights.

The in-flight iPod offerings will be integrated by Panasonic Avionics Corporation and will provide passengers with outstanding sound and seat-back video quality.

Emirates is one of only six airlines planning to offer iPod integration; the others being Air France, Continental, Delta, KLM, and United.

With ‘ice’ (information communications entertainment), Emirates’ 600-channel in-flight entertainment system currently available on almost half its 100-strong fleet, passengers can enjoy more content than any other in-flight entertainment system in the air.

They can also communicate via SMS and email direct from their seatbacks – and will soon be able to use their own mobile phones to make and receive phone calls and text messages, starting from early 2007 with the installation of the Aeromobile system.