ipod

02/16/2007, 10:20pm, EST

Friday, February 16th

Mexican airline rents iPods to passengers

A Mexican airline is renting iPods to passengers aboard its flights as part of a marketing promo to differentiate itself from its competitors. Reuters reports that Mexican flight attendants aboard Volaris now serve fistfuls of salted snacks, carbonated drinks and, for about $5, iPods. "By renting the iconic music and video device to passengers, low-cost airline Volaris has got the jump on U.S giants, such Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, who have been talking for months about offering iPod seat connections," the report says. Apple last fall announced it was teaming up with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to deliver seamless integration between iPods and their in-flight entertainment systems; however, a few days later a few airlines said the announcement was premature.

"We're the first to use iPod's. We like it because no one else has it," said public relations officer Alfonso Collantes. According to the report, Volaris began handing out the 30GB devices free on Feb. 8, but will soon start charging 50 pesos per flight. The iPods are loaded with Mexican TV shows and popular music; however, Volaris has plans to load on U.S. sitcoms and other music genres, Reuters reports.

The iPod's are not integrated into seat-back video screens, like the U.S. carriers are planning, but have the advantage of being available now. Volaris is owned by billionaire Carlos Slim and media giant Televisa, the report said.

"We just went out and bought a bunch of iPods and started giving them out to passengers," said Collantes.


Filed under: iPod

, , comment, del.icio.us, slashdot, digg, buzz


post a comment
Reader Reactions (Please use <i></i> for italic text)

subscribe to comments
for this article




Expand All   Global Settings
Be the first to post comments on this story.
Your Comments

In order to post comments: If you are a registered member, please login with your MacNN Forums username and password otherwise please uncheck the checkbox below.


Registered Member?
macnn forums login:

macnn forums password:

Not a member of the MacNN forums? Register now for free.

RSS Feeds

Have the latest content delivered to your desktop via RSS. Use the links below to get access to a specific blog, news, or reviews feed.



  MacNN -all

  MacNN Reviews

  MacNN Podcasts

  iPodNN

  Electronista

  Left Lane News

Check Out the VIERA from Panasonic!: Enter a New Visual Era with Panasonic VIERA HDTVs. An Enhanced Experience.

Get an IT Degree Online: Get solid credentials. Take your hobby to the next level. Adult Programs. Affordable.

Check Out the VIERA from Panasonic!: Enter a New Visual Era with Panasonic VIERA HDTVs. An Enhanced Experience.

We Need Your Expertise: Join The MyView Research Panel & Take Surveys Matched To You.

Get an IT Degree Online: Get solid credentials. Take your hobby to the next level. Adult Programs. Affordable.

Buy from The Apple Store, iTunes.com, Amazon.com, TechDepot, OfficeDepot, Computers4Sure, or donate.