United Airlines offers up 'Zune inflight audio,' no actual Zunes
By Donald Melanson 
posted June 3rd 2010 3:38PM
posted June 3rd 2010 3:38PM
Microsoft's already shown with the Xbox 360 and Kin that it's looking to take its Zune platform beyond Zune-branded hardware, but we can't say we expected it to go quite this far -- Microsoft has now teamed up with United Airlines to offer "Zune inflight audio" to passengers. That apparently won't involve any new hardware in the planes -- Microsoft or otherwise -- but it will give passengers 21 new playlists "programmed by Zune" to choose from, including options like Classic Rock, Contemporary Pop, Opera and Piano Jazz. Not many more details than that, unfortunately, with United only saying that it looks forward to "working with Zune and Microsoft to create new onboard experiences." Sure, it might not sound like much, but it should at least go some ways towards improving the Zune's name recognition. Full press release is after the break. United Airlines Offers Customers Zune Inflight Audio
CHICAGO, Jun 03, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- United Airlines today announced that customers have more choices of free music with the introduction of Zune inflight audio on all United aircraft. United now offers customers a broader selection of music to enjoy during their onboard experience, with up to 21 separate playlists programmed by Zune, Microsoft's premium digital entertainment service.
In addition to familiar channels such as Classic Rock, Contemporary Pop, and Classical, United now features distinctive options such as Soundtracks, Electronic Dance, Opera and Piano Jazz. Customers may continue to enjoy live communication between the flight deck and air traffic control through United's popular "From the Flight Deck" audio on Channel 9, a feature that's unique to United.
"United is committed to providing our customers with innovative onboard entertainment options, and we look forward to working with Zune and Microsoft to create new onboard experiences," said Tom O'Toole, United's senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
"We are excited about this collaboration, which will allow millions of United customers to experience Zune and discover new music through select Zune custom playlists from top artists," says Dave McLauchlan, senior business development manager at Microsoft.
Full channel line-ups can be found in United's in-flight magazine, Hemispheres.
About United
United Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UAL Corporation /quotes/comstock/15*!uaua/quotes/nls/uaua (UAUA 22.25, +0.47, +2.16%) , operates approximately 3,300** flights a day on United and United Express to more than 230 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 1,077 destinations in 175 countries worldwide. United's 46,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. United ranked No. 1 in on-time performance for domestic scheduled flights for 2009 among America's five largest global carriers, as measured by the Department of Transportation and published in the Air Travel Consumer Report for 2009. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com, and follow United on Twitter @UnitedAirlines.
** Based on United's forward-looking flight schedule for January 2010 to December 2010
SOURCE: United Airlines
CHICAGO, Jun 03, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- United Airlines today announced that customers have more choices of free music with the introduction of Zune inflight audio on all United aircraft. United now offers customers a broader selection of music to enjoy during their onboard experience, with up to 21 separate playlists programmed by Zune, Microsoft's premium digital entertainment service.
In addition to familiar channels such as Classic Rock, Contemporary Pop, and Classical, United now features distinctive options such as Soundtracks, Electronic Dance, Opera and Piano Jazz. Customers may continue to enjoy live communication between the flight deck and air traffic control through United's popular "From the Flight Deck" audio on Channel 9, a feature that's unique to United.
"United is committed to providing our customers with innovative onboard entertainment options, and we look forward to working with Zune and Microsoft to create new onboard experiences," said Tom O'Toole, United's senior vice president and chief marketing officer.
"We are excited about this collaboration, which will allow millions of United customers to experience Zune and discover new music through select Zune custom playlists from top artists," says Dave McLauchlan, senior business development manager at Microsoft.
Full channel line-ups can be found in United's in-flight magazine, Hemispheres.
About United
United Airlines, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UAL Corporation /quotes/comstock/15*!uaua/quotes/nls/uaua (UAUA 22.25, +0.47, +2.16%) , operates approximately 3,300** flights a day on United and United Express to more than 230 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States. United also is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our customers to 1,077 destinations in 175 countries worldwide. United's 46,000 employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the world. United ranked No. 1 in on-time performance for domestic scheduled flights for 2009 among America's five largest global carriers, as measured by the Department of Transportation and published in the Air Travel Consumer Report for 2009. News releases and other information about United can be found at the company's Web site at united.com, and follow United on Twitter @UnitedAirlines.
** Based on United's forward-looking flight schedule for January 2010 to December 2010
SOURCE: United Airlines
business or first class should get free zune as part of their ticket cost.
@techlord
Hell, economy too with these prices.
@techlord UA kiss my arse.
They fly 747-400 OLD plane, lost my luggage, MILF-like steward, no individual display and tight seats.
No thanks.
@Fragmented
Why should Zune hardware go away? There are still advantages to having a dedicated music player over a partner-manufactured smartphone, like no contracts or monthly fees to pay. Plus I haven't seen any evidence that WP7 phones will have things like HD video output via a Zune Dock Connector.
I think it makes a lot of sense for Microsoft to let other people manufacture their phones, but to continue making the music player hardware themselves so they have a product with tight hardware and software integration.
Brilliant - two losers, United and MSFT, team up to offer vaporware / fake offerings. And now we have all the MSFT paid shills jumping in regarding a product that has just about 4% market share, and by all measures is a failure.
@FreeRange1
Really?
And I thought stupidity was only in gizmodo.
@tommy2468
Uh. Read that again, with MILF not as a acronym. No logic.
at least they're trying.
I don't know anyone who owns or even wants a Zune.
@Socalfrank You should get smarter friends then.
@Socalfrank i own 4 and most of my friends want them too
all you can eat is much better than 99 cents per song
@Socalfrank HAHAHA! LMFAO! Are you kidding me? I have a few friends with Zune HD's, and friends that dont have it always want to use mine. The Zune HD and its software are amazing!
@Socalfrank
I've had 3 and I talked 3 of my friends and a few family members into getting one. They've never looked back.
@Socalfrank
Obviously your isheep friends haven't ever used one. They only got out done for a short time by the ipod touch but the zune hd is still a better platform and zune software is so much nicer than itunes.
@Socalfrank
My family are all Zune users because of me and a bunch of my friends. They obviously aren't nearly as widespread as iPods but they are out there. The name will grow. I believe Microsoft is just taking their time. They have to build a strong content library and foundation if they really want to take on Apple, in terms of an entertainment service.
@Fragmented
Zune is a stupid name.
@Fragmented
So you agree with me...and I agree with you, Google is a stupid name.
@Socalfrank
Even Yahoo was a stupid Name, heck Apple is a stupid name, and while we are at it Engadget is a stupid name. So your point is? Names catch on to society you dumbofck.
@Robhimself
Hey now, personally I wouldn't mind trying a Zune, but I use a Mac and at the moment the Zune program doesn't work for me.
Though I do prefer the 99 cent model over subscription since I only rarely buy from iTunes, and get almost all my music through...ahem...questionable means.
@Socalfrank
If Zune is a stupid name, what would you consider the name of apple's shiny new tablet to be?
@Socalfrank
Don't mind these dudes, see them lining up to show alleigance to the Zune, freaking lemmings.
@Doc Kwame Nkrumah
Haha yeah. Just like you're lining up in allegiance to your own corporate crap too, right?
Great, a freaking airliner gets it before Canada.
@Nitesh
Now that was funny. Too bad it's true,
@Nitesh
Too bad, eh?
@Fragmented probably because they stopped marketing it in general, but im sure the ZuneHD2 will release here soon and all will get to enjoy it
@Nitesh
Well to be fair, we did have them in Canada for quite a while. The second gen zunes were nice but it's too bad we don't get the ZuneHD
@Webbster We didn't get them because they don't sell.
@His Shadow
More like Microsoft was unable to set a deal with the record industry to sell music in Canada, hence why Zune did not have the marketplace in Canada.
If it's an international flight does that mean it stops working as soon as you are out of US airspace?
So... it's music channels like they have on airplanes now, but with Microsoft ads?
@NHAnimator Exactly
@NHAnimator No ads, it seems. But you'll actually have more choices than soft rock and generic jazz.
So is the plane one giant Zune, then? To add more playlists do I need to jump out with a 30,000ft mini-USB cable?
Come on M$, this is sloppy. Provide something tangible and borrow-able on the flight or just drop the hardware altogether and convert into an online music service.
Zunes don't use mini-usb cables. Go jump a plane with Zune's propriatory connector. Not that you will have new playlists, I just want you to.
this does not strengthen a brand almost entirely invisible in the mp3 player market, and face it - as soon as a song comes on you don't like, and you can't skip, ff, or change it, it's back to listening to your own player.... but hey, it made you more aware of the name Zune!
...sheep.
@mikmik111 yeah we get it, you disagree with someone and turn to schadenfreude. thanks for offering nothing.
@conscious
It's a good thing Zunes have wireless sync.
@conscious whatever Schadenfreude means, what I just wanted you to do is jump a plane with a parachute of course. That is fun.
hahaha
Its a shame that they don't push the zune more, its such a great product. I wish I could upgrade to a zune HD. Maybe they will be on woot soon and replace my zune 30.
Huh, seems like a nice way to keep the airlines music up to date, and for Microsoft to build brand recognition as will probably see the ramp up of advertising for the Windows phone into the Fall, and especially Christmas season.
I dont get this........ don't the airlines already have this?
It would be nice if you could log into your existing Zune account on these flights. That way I can rock out to my Weird Al playlist while flying to Albuquerque!
@Feff
You know I've never been on a real airplane before, and I gotta tell ya it was really great. Except that I had to sit between two large Albanian women with excruciatingly severe body odor. And the little kid in back of me kept throwing up the whole time. The flight attendants ran out of Dr. Pepper and salted peanuts. And the in-flight movie was Bio-Dome with Pauly Shore. And oh yeah, three of the airplane engines burned out and we went into a tailspin and crashed into a hillside and the plane exploded in a giant fireball and every body died.
Except for me.
You know why? 'Cause I had my tray table up and my seat back in the full upright position.
zunited airlines?
Hmm, kinda seems like branding for the sake of branding....
I sure do love my ZuneHD though. I watch anything I can jam into an .avi just to do so, haha
Since when does "Brought to You Buy..." sponsorship = getting a free product?
The training will require preparing the staff to answer this question over and over and over: "Where can I charge my iPod?".
@His Shadow
Well, you can always fly on a United codeshare! http://www.ana.co.jp/int/svc/w_en/y/seat/777_300er_01/
All microsoft needs to do is all 3rd parties to sell apps from the Zune marketplace, and they could take apple head on. Microsoft, make this happen