Chicago - United Airlines (NASD: UALA) announced on Monday that it has added iPod and iPhone connectivity to its in-flight entertainment system, which will enable passengers to view video content stored on the players on a 15.4-inch personal TV. Technology for the connectivity was developed by Panasonic Avionics Corporation. The feature will be offered primarily on trans-Atlantic routes. United said its entire fleet of international, widebody aircraft are being reconfigured over the next two years with iPod connectivity, other on-demand entertainment and lie-flat seats in first and business class.

Melbourne, Fla. - LiveTV, the unit of JetBlue that provides in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems for commercial airlines, announced today it has reached an agreement to purchase the Verizon Airfone network, for an undisclosed price. LiveTV said the move "will anchor the company's in-flight email and messaging platform." To develop and launch its "Kiteline service," LiveTV purchased 1 MHz of air-to-ground spectrum from the FCC in June 2006, and in December 2007 launched an email and messaging service.

Houston, Texas - Continental Airlines announced on Tuesday that it has signed a deal with LiveTV to offer 36 channels of in-flight satellite TV via DirecTV at every seat on its new generation aircraft. The LiveTV service, which will also include Wi-Fi-enabled e-mail and instant messaging, is expected to be available on domestic Continental flights beginning in January 2009.