United Airlines to Offer iPod and iPhone Connectivity

United announced today that they have started deploying iPod and iPhone connectivity as part of its in flight entertainment system for certain flights and passengers.
Over the next two years, United plans on reconfiguring its entire fleet of "international, widebody aircraft" to incorporate the iPod and iPhone connectivity.

That's awesome! Finally, someone has decided to do that! No more battery issues now!

The option will be limited to business class and first class customers only.

Oh. Well that blows. Don't first class flyers have outlets already to charge their devices?

Oh. Well that blows. Don't first class flyers have outlets already to charge their devices?

It's also because only first/business class flyers have their own monitors.

I had a feeling it would only be limited to business/first class.

Still... a very cool idea!

airlines need to stop spending money on frivolous crap like this and start lowering ticket prices.

+1 for Apple though, you're not going to see a "Zune-plane" any time soon.

It's also because only first/business class flyers have their own monitors.

I thought United has 777's that have monitors in the seat backs on long flights. Either way, the airline industry wonders why they are going down hill. Providing these services fleet wide to EVERYONE is a huge selling point. However, the cost would probably be too high for now.

It's too bad part of the problem is inconsistency. Some planes have them, some don't on the same routes. Really retarded if you ask me.

Also, airlines can't really lower ticket prices when Jet-A (fuel) is rising in price.

airlines need to stop spending money on frivolous crap like this and start lowering ticket prices.

+1 for Apple though, you're not going to see a "Zune-plane" any time soon.

Supposing the cost of this upgrade (given that they already have monitors in the seats) is $50 per seat. You could either apply that $50 to the cost of a single tank of fuel, or spend it on something permanent. This permanent new feature would then give United a differential advantage, and if someone with an iphone has a good incentive to fly United. This, in turn, bring them more revenue allowing them to reduce cost via economies of scale.

So, this may actually accomplish lowered ticket prices over the long term.

Sorry to tell you this, MacRumors, but this is really old news about United. Yes, they did make an official announcement today that they would incorporate iPod and iPhone connectivity into some of their planes, but for months on their website they had a section talking about their new international first and business class, and they clearly described iPod connectivity. And over a year ago, United sent out an email to their frequent fliers in the highest tier that they would be making iPod connectivity.

All of the Delta Song equipment (which is now a part of the standard Delta fleet) had seat back screens for first class and coach. Herego it'd be nice to see Delta adopt this too and provide iPod connectivity for all passengers. Then they could slowly implement it into older equipment.

It is a cool selling point. I'm usually a Delta customer, but this might convince me to try out United.

I just flew United this past week and it was a horrible experience. Sparing the details had a 3 hour delay going up and 3 CANCELLATIONS coming home. Like with this iPod/iPhone deal, first class and business come first. When boarding they never asked first for elderly or those who need assistance to board first. Nope, first class and business, with the most miles were their priority. After those 3 cancellations I was switched over to US Airways. They had the decency to ask first for people who need assistance when beginning to board.

Awesome!

This seems like a total no-brainer to me, as they already have the monitors installed in their planes. Kinda surprised no one has done this before.