Helping to share the web since 1996


Spotify Takes Flight: A First Look at Its Debut on United Airlines

green and black plastic tool

Spotify is now part of United Airlines’ in-flight entertainment—sort of. While it’s a promising start, don’t expect the full streaming experience just yet.

Curated Content, Not Full Streaming

United has added Spotify to the seatback screens on over 680 aircraft, offering travelers a selection of preloaded (cached) playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks. Since it doesn’t rely on in-flight Wi-Fi, everything is stored locally for now.

On a recent United flight from San Jose to Houston aboard a Boeing 737 Max 9, I tested out the new feature. The “Audio” section on the seatback menu was replaced with a “Spotify” category. It included:

  • 31 Podcasts (18 from The Ringer)

  • 15 Music Playlists like Good Vibes, Jazz Classics, Sunny Day, and decade-themed mixes

  • 13 Audiobooks, including Easy Money, a deep dive into crypto scams

The playlists played on a loop, with no ability to skip, choose songs, or view track names—more like old-school airline music channels than a modern music app.

What’s Coming Next?

Starting in 2025, United plans to let passengers log into their own Spotify accounts through the seatback interface. That means you’ll be able to pause and resume longer content like podcasts or audiobooks across multiple flights—a much-needed upgrade for heavy listeners.

What About Video Podcasts?

Spotify’s video podcasts aren’t in the “Spotify” section—they’re listed under “TV.” Thirteen episodes were available, including a few from Joe Rogan (minus his more controversial guests), along with content from Amy Poehler and Trevor Noah.

Where You’ll Find Spotify Onboard

This new Spotify experience is available on United’s upgraded aircraft, including:

  • International planes with Polaris cabins

  • Narrowbody jets with United’s new “Next” interiors

    • These now make up 57% of United’s domestic fleet

    • Each seat includes a screen and Bluetooth headphone support

And What About Wi-Fi Streaming?

United says you can also stream Spotify using your own device on select regional jets equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink internet. But there’s a catch: that service is temporarily offline due to a radio interference issue. United says it will return “soon.”

A Missed Opportunity: Where’s Gershwin?

Oddly, George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”—United’s longtime theme—didn’t appear on any of the playlists. A quick Spotify search shows plenty of versions, including a unique bluegrass take titled “Rhapsody in Blue(grass)”. Hopefully, United adds it in a future update

 

Newer Articles

Older Articles

Back to news headlines