United Airlines First U.S. Carrier to Offer iPod & iPhone Connectivity
CHICAGO, June 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United guests may now reach
cruising altitude with a new, personalized in-flight entertainment system.
United is the first U.S. carrier to offer iPod and iPhone connectivity to
its in-flight entertainment system, enabling customers to enjoy their
individual content on a 15.4-inch personal television, all while the iPod
or iPhone charges.
The first aircraft with iPod and iPhone connectivity is scheduled to
depart at 5:40 p.m. from Washington, D.C. to Zurich as United #936, and it
will fly primarily on trans-Atlantic routes. United's entire fleet of
international, widebody aircraft are being reconfigured over the next two
years with lie-flat seats, on-demand entertainment, and iPod and iPhone
connectivity in first and business class.
"Our guests may now watch or listen to what they want, when they want
with programming they choose," says Graham Atkinson, United Airlines -
executive vice president and Chief Customer Officer. "United will continue
to provide services and technology that makes our customers' travel
experiences more relaxed and enjoyable."
"The iPod and iPhone have become essential for millions of travelers
around the world," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of iPod &
iPhone Product Marketing. "We think United customers are going to love
being able to listen or watch personal music and video content on their
iPod or iPhone via the in-flight entertainment system, and we can't wait
for United to roll this out to their fleet."
Through a cable that supports iPod and iPhone via the 30-pin connector,
customers may watch and enjoy their personal content on United's in-flight
entertainment system. Technology for the connectivity was developed by
Panasonic Avionics Corporation.
The customized video and audio options complements the more than 150
hours of movies and television shows available on-demand on United's
newly-configured international aircraft, as well as games and XM radio.
United was the first US carrier to introduce lie-flat business class
seats in November 2007. More information about these seats -- and the
International Premium Travel Experience -- is available at
suitedreams.united.com.
About United
United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates more than 3,200* flights a day
on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and
international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the
Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest
international carriers based in the United States. United also is a
founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our
customers to 965 destinations in 162 countries worldwide. United's 55,000
employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the
world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the
company's Web site at united.com.
*Based on United's flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31,
2008.
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