United Airlines has become the first airline to allow passengers to log into their personal Spotify accounts using seatback entertainment screens.
This service was made possible through an agreement between the three companies: United Airlines, Starlink, and Spotify. The users scan a QR code to log in securely into their Spotify accounts and have access to more than 100 million songs, podcasts, and videos.
They also have the option to continue listening from where they stopped before boarding.
The service relies on Starlink Wi-Fi and is set to expand across half of United Airlines’ fleet by next spring. The airline plans to have 219,000 seatback screens installed across its fleet by the end of 2027.
According to United Airlines’ chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella:
“Our customers are used to streaming entertainment that’s tailored to them, and that level of personalisation shouldn’t stop when they board one of our aeroplanes.”
Spotify is also expanding its presence in United Airlines’ in-flight entertainment system.
Ian Geller, the company’s vice president of business development, described the integration as a major milestone and a new way for passengers to use Spotify during flights.
United Airlines’ broader entertainment offering includes more than 2,500 hours of premium content from services including Apple TV and HBO Max.
Starlink Wi-Fi is now available on more than half of United Airlines’ daily flights. It aims to provide Starlink connectivity across its entire fleet by the end of 2027.
Here’s how Spotify works on United Airlines’ flights
After scanning a QR code with a smartphone, travelers can securely connect their Spotify accounts and access saved songs, albums, and playlists, along with personalized recommendations and playlists, such as Today’s Top Hits and New Music Friday.
Depending on availability, the system also supports Spotify DJ, podcasts, video podcasts, audiobooks, music videos, and other video content.
Passengers can save new music to their Spotify libraries while onboard.
The experience is designed to mirror Spotify’s familiar interface across phones, tablets and computers. Passengers can also use their smartphones as remote controls to browse content and adjust playback without reaching for the seatback screen.
Music continues playing when passengers switch to other features on the entertainment system, including the flight map.
Travelers therefore can follow their flight‘s progress while listening to their chosen music.
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