United Airlines has updated its passenger rules to clarify that travelers who listen to audio or watch videos without headphones may be removed from a flight or denied boarding.
The headphone rule was added to United Airlines’ Contract of Carriage on 27 February 2026. The clause is included under Rule 21: Refusal of Transport, which governs situations where the airline can deny boarding or remove passengers.
The airline’s contract of carriage outlines the rules passengers accept when they buy a ticket. The update makes explicit that “passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content” could face enforcement.
The airline says the rule formalizes an expectation that already existed on board. United had previously encouraged customers to use headphones, but the updated contract now clearly links the behavior to possible removal from a plane if passengers refuse to comply. The clarification comes as airlines continue to expand onboard connectivity and digital entertainment options.
“We’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content — and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones,” said Josh Freed, United spokesman. “It seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage.”
United says passengers who forget their own may request free earbuds from cabin crew when available.
The airline is also expanding high-speed Starlink connectivity across its fleet, which will allow more passengers to stream content during flights. As onboard internet improves and travelers increasingly use personal devices, airlines say expectations around courtesy and noise levels are becoming more important.
Other U.S. airlines have similar guidance encouraging passengers to use headphones, though most do not specify enforcement measures as clearly as United’s update.
Frontier Airlines includes a headphone requirement within the carry-on baggage section of its contract of carriage. The airline states that portable electronic devices that produce sound “may be used only with headphones and provided the sound, even via the headphones, cannot be heard by others.” Frontier has not clarified what penalties might apply if passengers ignore the rule.
Delta Air Lines also urges travelers to avoid playing audio out loud on board. “For the comfort of everyone around you, please use earbuds or headphones with any personal electronic device during your flight,” said Samantha Moore Facteau, Delta spokeswoman. The airline also distributes complimentary headphones on many flights.
“Customers are welcome to listen to audio or watch video on board, and we expect them to follow standard courtesy and flight crew instructions,” she said.
Southwest Airlines does not specifically reference headphones in its contract of carriage but says passengers must comply with crew instructions regarding the use of electronic devices.
“Our contract does include passengers not adhering to crew member instructions, including those about use of personal electronic devices,” said Chris Perry, Southwest spokesman. “Thus, a passenger would be expected to adhere to instructions about headphones.”
Concerns about passengers playing videos or music aloud during flights have increasingly drawn attention across the airline industry. In 2023, an American Airlines pilot delivered an onboard announcement urging passengers to stop using speaker mode for videos and phone calls.
