Continental Airlines to Offer Live TV, Email on Domestic Flights

Continental Airlines announced that it has entered into an agreement with LiveTV, L.L.C. (LiveTV) that will allow Continental to offer 36 channels of live, in-flight satellite-based television programming provided by DIRECTV(R), the satellite television provider in U.S., at every seat on Continental’s new generation aircraft. The service is expected to be available to customers on flights operating within the continental United States beginning in January 2009.

In addition, Continental will be introducing onboard Wi-Fi services including e-mail and instant messaging connectivity offered by LiveTV.

Customers will be able to choose from a variety of quality programming from DIRECTV(R) including sports, news, weather, children’s programming and general entertainment.

The initial channel programming lineup offered through the in-flight entertainment system is expected to include CBS, NBC, FOX News, CNN Headline News, ESPN, Animal Planet, The History Channel, Food Network, Nickelodeon, MTV and other popular channels. The in-flight entertainment system will also offer a moving map and other stored informational and entertainment content.

In addition, Continental will offer complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity services allowing customers to access e-mail and instant messaging subject to LiveTV being able to offer the service, which is still in the testing phase.

Customers will be able to use the service with Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, BlackBerries and laptops to connect to work, friends and family via Yahoo!(R) Mail, Yahoo! Messenger and BlackBerry e-mail and BlackBerry Messenger services.