Spotify is coming to United Airlines seatback screens
US carrier United Airlines, together with music streaming service Spotify, will let passengers use the full Spotify library on seatback screens during flights. The feature will be available on planes with Starlink satellite internet.
Spotify, the streaming service for music, podcasts and audiobooks, is partnering with US carrier United Airlines to make its content available to passengers in flight. Seatback screens on United planes equipped with Starlink satellite internet will soon offer the full Spotify library, along with a user's personalized home screen and playlists.
How it works
To access their content, passengers need to connect their phone to United's inflight Wi-Fi and scan a QR code on the seatback screen. They are then prompted to log in. If the Spotify app on the phone is already logged in, the screen loads the user's profile automatically. Judging by images Spotify shared, the seatback app appears to work similarly to the company's tablet apps.
Connecting to Wi-Fi for Spotify is free, so passengers do not need to buy an inflight internet pass.
Not the first of its kind
Other airlines, such as American Airlines, already offer music streaming as a perk, either through the seatback screen or by supporting free streaming in certain apps on a passenger's own device. United's offering is therefore not a first.
The advantage of the Spotify integration is the option to use the seatback screen rather than a phone to watch a video podcast or music video. Passengers who usually download playlists or podcasts before a flight also no longer need to do so on United.
Starlink on United flights
United began testing Starlink on flights at the beginning of 2025. The airline now says nearly half of its daily departures offer Starlink internet. Passengers can check whether their flight has Starlink using United's Starlink Wi-Fi Tracker.
