See following release issued for Emirates Airline:
Media Release 16 November 2006
Exciting New Digital Media World Is Emirates' Latest Destination
Emirates is flying to the exciting new world of digital media by teaming up with computer pioneer Apple to offer
seamless iPod integration with its in-flight entertainment systems.
The Dubai-based airline's passengers, who already enjoy as many as 600 channels of in-flight entertainment on its
award-winning ICE system, will soon have one of the world's first on-board iPod integrations, enabling them to use the
portable devices to enjoy their own choice of music and videos, including full-length feature films, on their seat-back
screens.
The new digital media destination has been announced a week after Emirates revealed it will be the world's first airline
to offer its passengers in-flight mobile phone use across its entire fleet.
Emirates is the only airline operating to New Zealand that is planning to offer iPod integration. It flies four times a
day from New Zealand to Dubai and beyond, via Australia.
Emirates' integrated iPod seat connection is scheduled for introduction from mid-2007. It will also provide a constant
power source to ensure that passengers' iPods are charged for the duration of their flights.
The in-flight iPod offerings will be integrated by Panasonic Avionics Corporation and will provide passengers with
outstanding sound and seat-back video quality.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group, said: "We have been a leading innovator of in-flight entertainment since introducing the world's first seat-back
screens in 1992. iPod integration keeps us at the cutting edge of entertainment technology, and together with our
existing in-flight systems will significantly enhance the enjoyment of flying with Emirates for thousands of our
passengers who travel with their iPods."
Greg Joswiak, Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing, said:
"There is no better travelling companion than an iPod - customers can take their music, photos, TV shows, Podcasts, and
movies with them everywhere they go. We're excited to work with Emirates to take iPod connectivity to the next frontier
for a seamless digital music and movie in-flight experience."
With ICE (information communications entertainment), Emirates' 600-channel in-flight entertainment system currently
available on almost half its 100-strong fleet, passengers can enjoy more content than any other in-flight entertainment
system in the air.
They can also communicate via SMS and email direct from their seatbacks - and will soon be able to use their own mobile
phones to make and receive phone calls and text messages, starting from early 2007 with the installation of the
Aeromobile system.
Emirates won "Best In-Flight Entertainment" at the 2006 World Airline Awards by Skytrax, the second year in a row that
the airline was chosen for the accolade, based on results of the Airline In-Flight Entertainment Survey commissioned and
conducted by Skytrax Research of London. This award was voted on by more than one million airline passengers and
maintains Emirates' global leadership in the in-flight entertainment category.
ends