United Airlines is entering into a new partnership with Spotify, significantly expanding the entertainment options for its passengers. More than 450 hours of content — from curated playlists and audiobooks to video podcasts — are now available free of charge through the in-flight entertainment system.
The new content, which includes popular programs like Good Hang with Amy Poehler, The Dave Chang Show and The Comment Section with Drew Afualo, is now offered on more than 130,000 screens on United flights.
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According to Spotify, this is the first time it has offered audiobooks and video podcasts in-flight through an airline partnership, and without account Spotify passengers
“Spotify has an incredibly engaged audience and has content that people love,” said Richard Nunn, CEO of United’s MileagePlus rewards program. “Now, our passengers can enjoy this experience easily and instantly, even at 35,000 feet.”
Connecting Spotify accounts to United Airlines entertainment systems
United Airlines plans to further strengthen its partnership with Spotify by allowing passengers to log into accounts Spotify. The new feature, expected to launch in 2026, will allow passengers to continue listening where they left off — whether it's playlists, audiobooks or podcasts — on a larger screen, without the need for a mobile device or tablet.
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The partnership between United Airlines and Spotify is a smart and strategically targeted move — for both parties. United is fundamentally enhancing the experience of passengers, who are now more demanding when it comes to in-flight entertainment. By offering free access to selected Spotify content, it differentiates itself from other airlines and “sells” the experience not just as transportation, but as a modern travel environment with quality, personalized entertainment.
From Spotify's perspective, it's a big opening in the travel space, as in-flight content remains a relatively untapped market. The ability for passengers to continue a podcast or audiobook they were listening to before the flight, without picking up their phone or tablet, strengthens Spotify's user ecosystem beyond traditional environments.
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It is worth noting that passengers traveling on United aircraft equipped with Starlink already enjoy the ability to stream on the Spotify platform from their own devices (as well as YouTube and Apple Music).
Source: www.theverge.com
