Not to be outdone by all of the Zune noise we've been hearing on the ground today, Apple is taking to the air!

Apple has announced that it's teaming up with some major airlines -- Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United -- to deliver the first seamless integration between the iPod and in-flight entertainment systems!

(Now if I can just get that iPod past security ...)

These six airlines will offerr passengers "iPod seat connections" that power and charge iPods during flight and allow the video content on their iPods to be viewed on the their seat back displays.

All of this is free, and it's scheduled to launch next year.

Apple is reportedly working with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to bring even more in-flight iPod connectivity in the future.

All this harkens me back to the day when we all got excited about a new airline -- Jet Blue -- thatt offered low fares and personal TVs (seatback displays) for every passenger.  Now it seems it's just the personal TVs that's left ...

Will be interesting to see how we exercise this option on online travel searches ...