Aircraft in-flight entertainment (IFE) system providers have held talks with Apple Computer on the possibility of licensing its iTunes media download software for airlines' own systems, enabling passengers to use frequent-flyer miles to download music and videos on to iPod MP3 players in-flight.
Downloads are one of a range of concepts being explored by suppliers such as Thales and Panasonic in response to airline requests to expand the range of on-board applications.
“We’ve had lots of discussions with Apple,” said Thales vice-president and in-flight systems general manager Brad Foreman last week at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg. “The key is to get them to see the value of hosting iTunes on an aircraft. Is it a big enough market for them to be interested in? I’d try to do it tomorrow if they said yes.”
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