United Can Now Ban Passengers Who Listen to Audio and Video Without Headphones

The interior of an airplane is a confined space where passengers have to endure everything from other travelers’ body odors to their loud snores. But they may no longer have to listen to another passenger’s music, games or movies, at least, not on United Airlines.

United has added a clause to its Rules of Transport that says it has the right to remove from the aircraft at any point any “passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.”

A representative for United told CNET that the language was added on Feb. 27 and that “we’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content — and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones.” 

Passengers without headphones can ask plane staff for a complimentary pair of wired headphones, subject to availability.

While this may not prevent people from using their devices without headphones, the policy change gives crew members legal authority to take action if someone ignores requests to turn off loud audio. 

The United representative added that, with the rollout of Starlink on United planes, “it seemed like a good time” to clarify travel terms as more people begin streaming. 

Depending on the severity of the offense, United says it can take steps ranging from invalidating the passenger’s ticket to deleting the passenger’s frequent flyer miles, to banning the passenger and taking them to court. 

But not all airplane rules involving courtesy and noise are regularly enforced. The rules also prohibit voice calls once the cabin doors are closed, yet passengers often continue phone conversations until takeoff without apparent enforcement.

United is one of the largest airlines in the US, coming in second behind Delta in The Points Guy’s 2025 ranking of the best airlines.