Six airlines will begin offering passengers iPod hookups at their seats to charge their players and show iPod videos on seat back displays, Apple said today. There's a local connection to the news as well.

Apple is working with Panasonic Avionics, the Bothell-based subsidiary of Panasonic that produces in-flight entertainment systems for airplanes. Through its work with Panasonic, Apple said it wants to bring the iPod connectivity to more airlines in the future.

Starting in mid-2007, the airlines scheduled to roll out this connectivity include Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United.

Not a bad announcement from Apple to counter the launch of Microsoft's Zune player.