In a major leap forward for in-flight entertainment, United Airlines has officially launched a partnership with Spotify, bringing over 450 hours of curated content to its passengers. This collaboration, which began rolling out in June 2025, integrates Spotify’s extensive content library, including playlists, audiobooks, and podcasts, directly into United’s in-flight entertainment system. With this new offering, passengers on more than 130,000 aircraft now have access to a wide range of entertainment, providing a new level of comfort and enjoyment during flights.
United Airlines, one of the largest carriers in the United States, has long been committed to improving passenger experience by introducing cutting-edge technology and offering premium services. This new partnership with Spotify aims to further elevate that experience, making it one of the most advanced and diverse in-flight entertainment offerings available. The collaboration focuses not just on music, but also includes access to popular audio and video podcasts, audiobooks, and personalized playlists, which are easily accessible during flights.
United Airlines passengers can now enjoy Spotify’s broad range of content, including genres like pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, and classical music, all curated into convenient playlists. For podcast enthusiasts, the integration includes some of Spotify’s most popular and exclusive shows, such as The Joe Rogan Experience, The Daily, and Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. Additionally, audiobooks are also available for passengers who prefer to unwind with a good story during their flight.
The collaboration marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time Spotify’s video podcasts and audiobooks have been made available on any airline’s in-flight entertainment system. This broadens the scope of content options available to travelers and adds a fresh dimension to the way passengers can enjoy their flight experience.
As part of the partnership, over 450 hours of content will be available for free on United’s seatback screens. This content is not just available to first-class or business class travelers but is being offered across all cabins on a wide variety of United Airlines routes. Whether traveling for business or leisure, passengers are now able to enjoy a premium entertainment experience throughout their journey.
For those traveling on United Airlines flights equipped with Starlink connectivity, the partnership also includes the ability for passengers to stream Spotify directly from their personal devices. This service is available throughout the entire flight, including during taxi, takeoff, and landing, at no additional cost. This development comes at a time when internet connectivity is becoming an essential aspect of the modern air travel experience, especially for passengers who want to stay entertained or connected throughout the flight.
Starlink, a satellite-based broadband service that provides high-speed internet, is now available on many of United Airlines’ long-haul flights. The service, provided by SpaceX, has made it possible for travelers to access uninterrupted Wi-Fi on transcontinental and international flights. By combining Starlink’s high-speed internet with Spotify’s curated content, United Airlines offers passengers an unparalleled entertainment experience.
Passengers flying on Starlink-equipped aircraft will be able to access their favorite Spotify playlists, listen to their favorite podcasts, and even stream video content directly from their personal devices. This seamless streaming ability ensures that entertainment is available to passengers from the moment they board the aircraft until the moment they land, making long flights more enjoyable and productive.
Looking ahead, United Airlines and Spotify have already begun to discuss future plans to enhance the in-flight experience further. In 2026, the companies plan to enable direct logins to personal Spotify accounts through the seatback screens. This feature will allow passengers to access their personal playlists, resume podcasts and audiobooks they were previously listening to, and create a more personalized in-flight experience. Travelers will no longer have to rely on pre-downloaded content but can continue enjoying their entertainment exactly where they left off.
The new feature would not only make the in-flight entertainment system more user-friendly but also cater to passengers’ preferences, ensuring that the journey is tailored to their entertainment tastes. By adding this level of personalization, United Airlines is setting the stage for an entertainment ecosystem that extends beyond the traditional in-flight media system.
Spotify, in turn, sees this partnership as a key milestone in its mission to be everywhere its users are, enabling travelers to enjoy a familiar, seamless experience even while in the air. This collaboration aligns with Spotify’s broader strategy of reaching new audiences through innovative platforms and partnerships, giving creators an opportunity to expand their reach while keeping listeners engaged across different environments.
United Airlines has long been a leader in delivering exceptional customer service, and this new partnership with Spotify enhances its commitment to enhancing the passenger experience. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, travelers increasingly expect more from their in-flight entertainment. Gone are the days of relying solely on traditional movies and TV shows—today’s passengers are looking for a more customized and diverse entertainment offering.
With Spotify now available to its passengers, United Airlines has successfully positioned itself as an airline that understands the changing demands of modern travelers. Whether for business or leisure, passengers can now enjoy top-tier audio content during their flight, making the travel experience more pleasant, productive, and enjoyable.
Moreover, the accessibility of podcasts and audiobooks will be especially welcomed by travelers who prefer to engage with content in an audio format rather than watching a screen. This is a shift from traditional in-flight entertainment options and speaks to a broader trend in consumer preferences for mobile-first, on-demand media experiences.
For Spotify, this partnership with United Airlines marks a significant opportunity to expand its presence in the aviation industry, bringing its platform to millions of passengers across United’s global network. With over 450 hours of content being streamed on United Airlines flights, Spotify is now reaching an entirely new audience in a highly relevant and engaging context.
For United Airlines, this partnership is a strategic move to differentiate itself from competitors by offering passengers an advanced, premium entertainment experience that goes beyond traditional options. By integrating Spotify’s vast content library into its seatback screens and allowing seamless streaming on Starlink-equipped flights, United is reinforcing its commitment to providing the best in-flight experience possible.
The collaboration between United Airlines and Spotify is a game-changer for in-flight entertainment, offering a diverse, immersive, and personalized experience for passengers.
From 450 hours of curated content to the ability to stream Spotify directly from personal devices during flights, the new partnership sets a new standard for what travelers can expect from air travel entertainment.
As United Airlines continues to innovate with Starlink and Spotify, passengers can look forward to even more personalized and engaging travel experiences in the future. With more exciting features coming in 2026, this partnership is poised to redefine in-flight entertainment for years to come.
