Passengers who blast TikToks, YouTube videos or music out loud on their phones could soon find themselves escorted off a flight — at least if they’re travelling with United Airlines.
The US carrier has quietly toughened its rules, adding a clause to its contract of carriage requiring travellers to use headphones when listening to audio or watching videos on personal devices.
Under the new policy, passengers who ignore the rule could be removed from the aircraft or even banned from flying with the airline.
United added the clause on February 27, 2026, placing it under “Rule 21: Refusal of Transport” — the section that allows airlines to deny boarding or remove passengers who break onboard conduct rules.
The update means anyone playing audio or video on a phone, tablet, or laptop must use headphones, or they could face consequences ranging from warnings to being kicked off the flight entirely. In extreme cases, travellers who refuse to comply could even face a permanent ban from the airline.
United says the change is aimed at keeping the cabin environment comfortable for everyone — particularly as more passengers stream content onboard.
The streaming era problem
With airlines rolling out faster onboard Wi-Fi — including United’s push to install Starlink internet onboard its aircraft, passengers are increasingly watching videos and listening to audio during flights.
That’s led to a growing number of complaints about travellers who play content out loud, a behaviour frequent flyers rank among their biggest in-flight irritations.
While most airlines encourage headphone use as a courtesy, United appears to be the first major US carrier to formally enforce the rule in its contract of carriage.
Passengers who forget their headphones aren’t necessarily doomed to silence. The airline says free earbuds may be available from cabin crew, depending on supply.
Still, the policy gives flight attendants clearer authority to deal with those who ignore repeated requests to keep the cabin quiet.
“About time”
Reaction online has been mixed, but frequent flyers and many crew members say the rule is long overdue. Travel experts say the policy is really aimed at a small minority of passengers whose behaviour disrupts the rest of the cabin.
For crew members, who already handle everything from intoxicated passengers to seat disputes, it simply adds one more tool to maintain order at 35,000 feet.
And for everyone else on board? It might just mean a quieter flight.
Let me know your thoughts on the policy.
All images via United Airlines
© Confessions of a Trolley Dolly
Good! Wish they would do it on trains as well.