United and Spotify have partnered to launch a new inflight entertainment experience, giving passengers access to audiobooks, music, and podcasts right from their seatback screens. The collaboration, announced on June 5, 2025, brings more than 450 hours of content to over 130,000 United Airlines seatback screens, many of which feature stunning 4K resolution and Bluetooth audio capabilities.
This marks the first time Spotify has made its content—particularly audiobooks and video podcasts—available onboard a commercial airline. The rollout is designed to enrich the travel experience for millions of United passengers and reflects both brands’ shared vision of providing convenient, high-quality digital experiences, even at 35,000 feet.
Spotify Comes to the Skies
Spotify’s presence will be prominent on United’s fleet of over 680 aircraft. The airline’s inflight entertainment menu now includes a dedicated “Spotify” category that replaces the former “Audio” section. Travelers will find curated options under Podcasts, Video Podcasts, Audiobooks, and Playlists. Some popular titles already onboard include Good Hang with Amy Poehler, The Dave Chang Show, and The Comment Section with Drew Afualo.
Richard Nunn, CEO of MileagePlus, emphasized the impact of the partnership. “Spotify has a huge audience and people love their content. And now our customers can enjoy it all in a simple and easy way, at 35,000 feet,” he said. “Together, we’re giving millions of customers an entirely new way to experience and explore premium content from the world’s most popular artists, authors and podcasters.”
Spotify’s reach and cultural footprint allow United to elevate the onboard experience with content that is relevant, engaging, and increasingly personalized. The launch sets the stage for a more connected inflight entertainment system that reflects the way people consume media at home.
What’s New for Flyers
Starting next year, passengers will be able to log in to their personal Spotify accounts directly on the inflight entertainment screen. This new functionality will allow users to access their personalized playlists, continue listening where they left off, and even explore recommendations tailored to their preferences—all while flying.
Ian Geller, VP of Business Development at Spotify, expressed excitement about expanding the platform’s reach. “As a frequent United flyer myself, it’s incredibly exciting to see Spotify now available on the world’s largest airline,” he said. “We’re dedicated to being everywhere our users are, giving creators opportunities to reach new platforms and engage different audiences.”
The personalized streaming option will roll out across United’s inflight screens in 2026, further blurring the line between home and travel entertainment. It represents a major shift in how travelers experience long-haul flights, particularly for tech-savvy or content-hungry flyers.
Stream from Gate to Gate
On aircraft equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink internet, passengers can also stream Spotify directly on their personal devices. After logging in to their MileagePlus® account and accepting Starlink’s terms, travelers can open the Spotify app and enjoy uninterrupted content from gate to gate—just like they would on the ground.
Whether it’s a motivational audiobook, a cooking podcast, or a curated travel playlist, Spotify aims to meet passengers wherever they are in their journey—both physically and emotionally. The seamless integration on United flights ensures that entertainment starts as soon as passengers board and continues smoothly throughout the flight.
Loyalty Meets Listening
To celebrate the launch, Spotify and United are offering MileagePlus members an exclusive perk. Those who are new to Spotify Premium Individual can sign up for a subscription and earn up to 1,000 bonus miles. This special offer is available across multiple United-owned media channels, including seatback screens, the United mobile app, United Club displays, email communications, and more.
The promotion is also part of a broader initiative through Kinective MediaSM by United Airlines—the travel industry’s first traveler media network. As travelers move through various touchpoints in their journey, they will encounter prompts to join Spotify Premium and earn miles based on their MileagePlus status level.
By merging loyalty with entertainment, the campaign strengthens brand affinity while giving users a valuable incentive to try Spotify’s premium services. It also showcases how airlines are thinking creatively about passenger engagement in the digital age.
Flight Entertainment Reinvented
United’s investment in its inflight entertainment platform, combined with Spotify’s global content library, represents a new frontier in passenger experience. With more than 130,000 seatback screens upgraded for this partnership, the airline ensures that passengers—whether in economy or business class—have access to top-tier media content from takeoff to landing.
As the competition for inflight engagement grows, this collaboration sets a high standard for what’s possible in modern air travel. With Bluetooth-ready screens, customizable media options, and continuous updates to content offerings, United and Spotify are showing the world what happens when technology, convenience, and entertainment meet in the sky.
