Singapore Airlines (SIA) is claiming to be the first airline to offer passengers the ability to connect their Apple iPod personal electronic devices to an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system.
The Star Alliance carrier says in a statement that the first flight to allow passengers iPod integration with the Panasonic Avionics IFE system was operated out of Singapore today.
The Airbus A340-500 is operating to Newark in the USA and the aircraft is the first of five A340-500s that SIA is having reconfigured to all-business class layouts.
A spokesman for the carrier says a check with Apple has confirmed that SIA is the first airline to allow passengers to play music and view video content using their own iPod or iPhone devices through an IFE system using an integrated connection cable.
The spokesman says SIA’s understanding is that United Airlines, which late last year announced plans for the same offering, is due to operate its first flight with iPod connectivity in the coming days.
Panasonic Avionics said last year that it was the only commercial airline IFE provider to have secured an agreement with Apple to allow iPod integration.
“Customers can now easily enjoy their personal audio and video content from their iPod or iPhone on Singapore Airlines’ KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system,” says SIA.
“Each seat features a 15.4in widescreen LCD screen which is perfect for watching television shows and movies, as well as active noise-cancellation headphones.”
Source: flightglobal.com's sister premium news site Air Transport Intelligence news
Source: Flight International
