iTunes in the sky

So do I have to make the computer on the plane my "home" and erase all fo the music on my iPod to do this? Otherwise I'd have to set my iPod to manual mode and then transfer over the song, just to get back home and realize that I can't move the song(s) I just paid for onto my home computer that my iPod is "linked" to.

Wireless iPods? Would be a great use for such an implementation. I'm sure Apple would come up with some sort of DRM style connection protocol that would prevent iPods connecting to each other, and only allow download from the music store or your own computer.

on a luthfansa flight last year (frankfurt - singapore) I could have paid for some wifi time on board

pity the economy seats didnt have power outlets :/

At least in the UK, some train operators are offering free WiFi in first class. No reason why airlines couldn't do the same throughout (although I don't know if I want to sit between two laptop users on every flight).

It's worth noting that the airlines are now charging fees for a packet of nuts, an aisle seat, and a pillow. I really doubt that they are interested in anything for passengers that makes them more comfortable -- no, they're interested in anything that could separate us from yet another dollar.
And I guarantee that if they ever find a way to bring iTunes Music Store to a plane, a song won't cost only 99.

So they're going to do what, exactly? Give passengers the ability to buy from the iTMS at 30,000 feet? Oh, joy! My dreams have come true! Forget making the seats larger, or giving them more legroom. Maybe if they can buy TV shows and music while they're in the air they'll forget how we've got 'em crammed in like sardines!

Bah. I wish they'd fix the serious problems before trying to provide more entertainment options.

Very Cool Ideas, I think TUAW should have a post asking where they think itunes will go. They would get a million comments if they did. I can see vending machines becoming huge. Especially if you could pay a few bucks for a super quick recharge. I would pay that in a second especially in airports.

I'm guessing this is all about videos.

It's not quite iTunes, but in Cathay Pacific's business class, you can create your own playlist from the library of music they have onboard. Not the most intuitive interface and as with most inflight entertainment, the remote control response is slow to say the least, but at least I don't have to listen to songs I don't like, nor do I have to wait for the end of the inflight entertainment program in case I miss a song I enjoy.

Do other airlines have the same facility?

I wish airlines (and trains for that matter) could have internet access available to passengers. I'm sure it's not far away.