15/11/2006 07:32 - (SA)
San Francisco - Apple announced on Tuesday that six major airlines were modifying jets so that iPods could be plugged into in-flight entertainment systems beginning mid-2007.
Apple said Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United airlines would offer iPod seat connections to power the MP3 players and allow films or other video from the devices to be watched on seat-back screens.
But an Air France spokesperson said it was premature to announce an iPod tie-up.
"We cannot confirm this agreement. We are waiting for the project to be farther along, but this co-operation remains possible," spokesperson Veronicque Brachet told AFP.
Apple said it was working with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to develop in-flight iPod systems for other airlines.
"There is no better travelling companion than an iPod," said Apple vice president Greg Joswiak.
"Now travellers can power their iPods during flight and even watch their iPod movies and TV shows on their seat-back displays. We're excited."
More than 70% of 2007 model US cars were designed to allow iPods to be plugged into entertainment systems.
Apple has reported selling nearly 70 million iPods, making it the world's most popular MP3 player.
More than 1.5 billion songs for the devices have been bought from the Cupertino, California, company's online iTunes digital audio and video shop.
