This is the first airline that gives travelers the ability to stream Spotify content, that includes The Soulful Side Of Life With Ally Portee; and To All the Boys I've Loved Before: Full Cast Graphic Adaptation by Jenny Han…
This week, United Airlines which operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles- announced a first. Passengers can listen to Spotify content in the air. By logging into their Spotify account, they can stream podcasts from their seatback screen. They do this by scanning a QR code to securely log in and access the full Spotify catalog that includes 100+ million tracks, millions of podcasts, playlists, videos, and albums for their screens. It’s important to note that content and features will vary by Spotify plan and market. Passengers can even pick up from where they left off when last listening.
This Spotify rollout will expand across half of United's fleet by next spring, as the airline is advancing inflight innovation as it expects to offer 219,000 seatback screens by the end of 2027 and complete fleetwide Starlink installation before the end of 2027. According to United in announcement notes: they are currently offering more than 181,000 seatback screens across its fleet – more than any other major U.S. airline and about 85% of its mainline fleet – and expects to have more than 219,000 screens, nearly its entire mainline fleet, by the end of 2027.
This move is United’s way of investing in passenger inflight experience, which already includes 2,500 hours of Apple TV, HBO Max, A24, and Peacock content. But, the introduction of this new offering in June 2025 included 450+ hours of audiobooks, video podcasts and music playlists. From then till now, 2.3 million + passengers have been able to enjoy 1.9 million hours of Spotify content in the air.
"Bringing personal Spotify accounts to United seatback screens is a major milestone, creating a new way to experience Spotify in flight," said Ian Geller, VP of Business Development at Spotify. "With a quick QR code scan, passengers can bring their personalized Spotify experience to the screen in front of them — their recommendations, saved library, and favorite songs, podcasts, audiobooks, and videos — and enjoy it all on a big screen at 35,000 feet."
This service is made possible by Starlink Wi-Fi, which is already on more than half of United’s daily flights, and allows MileagePlus® members to stream, work and shop on many devices while flying. Founded by tech scion Elon Musk, Starlink is a project that’s part of SpaceX. United will complete their Starlink installations by the end of 2027, which will bring faster and more personalized experiences to passengers.
How It Works
Customers on eligible flights can open the Spotify app from the seatback screen and scan the displayed QR code with their phone's camera. If already logged in to Spotify on their phone, their account pairs seamlessly with the seatback screen through a single-click verification. If not, they can log in securely on their phone and their personal library will appear on the seatback screen, allowing them to:
Resume music, videos, audiobooks and playlists where they left off and control playback
Browse their library and personalized recommendations
Save new favorites to their library
Enjoy Spotify directly on the seatback screen, bringing them even more of the content they love
Optionally use their phone as a companion remote, allowing them to browse, select titles and adjust playback right from their seat without leaning forward to touch the screen
Customers may log out at any time during the flight and will be automatically logged out of their Spotify account at the end of the flight.
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This is the first airline that gives travelers the ability to stream Spotify content, that includes The Soulful Side Of Life With Ally Portee; and To All the Boys I've Loved Before: Full Cast Graphic Adaptation by Jenny Han…