United Airlines introduces Spotify to in-flight entertainment on 680 aircraft

The new partnership replaces the generic ‘Audio’ section on United’s seatback displays with a dedicated Spotify category. Travellers can now enjoy popular content such as Good Hang with Amy Poehler and The Dave Chang Show, alongside a variety of themed music playlists. Notably, this update includes access to audiobooks and video playlists, features previously unavailable via seatback entertainment.

Additionally, the system now supports Bluetooth audio, enabling passengers to connect their own wireless headphones for a more personalised listening experience.

However, the current integration remains limited to pre-selected, curated content. Passengers are not yet able to log into their personal Spotify accounts or access their own libraries. United has confirmed that full account integration, allowing for personalised content, will be introduced in 2026. Until then, users will only be able to access Spotify-produced content, rather than the full catalogue available on the platform.

This limitation is particularly significant given Spotify’s emphasis on personalisation. For users who have spent years crafting playlists and saving favourites, the lack of access to their own accounts may be a point of frustration.

“As a frequent United flyer myself, it’s incredibly exciting to see Spotify now available on the world’s largest airline,” Spotify’s vice president of Business Development Ian Geller said. “At Spotify, we’re committed to being wherever our users are, offering creators new ways to reach audiences across platforms. I’m especially looking forward to delivering an even more personalised app streaming experience to seatbacks next year.”

Another concern surrounding the update is its dependence on satellite connectivity. United’s partnership with Starlink enables free Spotify streaming on personal devices aboard select aircraft, but this feature is not yet fleet-wide. As a result, passengers may encounter an inconsistent experience depending on the aircraft they are flying.

Nevertheless, United’s move to integrate Spotify is a step forward in modernising the in-flight entertainment experience and aligning it with digital trends that travellers increasingly expect, both on the ground and in the skies.