Passengers could be removed from a flight for playing loud videos or music: United Airlines has introduced a strict ban on passengers

During flights, many passengers are bothered by noise from other passengers’ smartphones and tablets. Now, one of the largest US airlines has decided to tackle this problem head-on. The new rules impose serious consequences for those who ignore the crew’s instructions. Find out why a passenger might be removed from a flight

Book bus, train, plane tickets to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world

BUY

The American airline United Airlines has decided to tackle one of the most annoying problems on board — noise from other passengers’ devices. According to Fox News, passengers can now lose their seat if they watch videos or listen to music without headphones.

At the end of February, the carrier officially updated its contract of carriage. From now on, passengers are legally obliged to use headphones when playing any audio or video material during the flight.

What awaits offenders?

If a passenger ignores the requirement and refuses to wear headphones, the consequences will be as severe as possible. The crew has every right to:

▪️ Refuse carriage even before take-off.

▪️ Remove the offender from the flight.

This new rule has been officially included in the section of the terms and conditions under which the airline reserves the right to refuse a person boarding.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Why was the rule introduced?

United Airlines explains: recommendations not to disturb neighbours with smartphone sounds have always existed. However, the decision to turn them into a strict legal rule was made specifically now — against the backdrop of the widespread introduction of high-speed internet on board via the Starlink system. More accessible internet means more people watching videos, and consequently, more potential noise in the cabin.

The rule has already sparked heated debate online:

Some travellers claim they have rarely encountered such a problem. Others are complaining en masse that they are regularly forced to listen to other people’s films and music during flights, and describe United’s decision as ‘long-awaited’.

A handy tip for the forgetful: if you’ve left your headphones at home or they’ve run out of battery, you won’t have to break the rules. On board United Airlines, you can always ask the cabin crew for a simple pair of wired headphones free of charge.

United has become the first major US airline to explicitly stipulate the mandatory use of headphones in its legal agreement with passengers. Although other carriers also encourage passengers to observe etiquette, they have not yet introduced such radical measures.

If you are planning a trip in the near future, it is worth thinking about your route in advance and checking the available travel options. It is convenient to do this through the ticket booking system for all types of transport on Visit Ukraine — the service allows you to quickly find and book tickets for planes, trains, or buses in one place, which is especially useful in the context of changes in international air traffic.

Reminder! The spring time change often leads to unfortunate delays. On 29 March 2026, the clocks will move forward by one hour. Find out how to correctly interpret the time on tickets so you don’t miss your train or bus.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.