Frequent fliers with United Airlines can plug their iPods or iPhones to a special 30-pin cable which will deliver 15.4 video to a screen situated in the seat in front of you. You need three things: a first class or business ticket, an iPhone or iPod and a transatlantic destination.

Graham Atkinson, executive vice president of United Airlines, said:

Our guests may now watch or listen to what they want, when they want with programming they choose

And that will happen if they can afford it! We’ve seen this happen with Singaporean Airlines earlier this year. United Airlines will offer this service across their fleet but only for transatlantic flights for now. Their fleet will finish upgrading in about two years. By that time we should expect other companies to follow this strategy. But what about support for any competitors?

via businesswire