United Airlines updates passenger policy to require headphones or the ability to remove them

The airline revised its contract of carriage on February 27 to clarify that passengers must now use headphones when listening to content on board, United confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“We always have been Encourage customers “Use headphones when listening to audio content, and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones,” the airline said.

“As Starlink expands, it seemed like the right time to make that clear by adding it to the transport contract.”

The change appears under the airline’s “Refuse to Carry” section, which explains the circumstances under which United may deny boarding or remove a plane. Passenger from the flight.

United Airlines recently changed its passenger policy to address a recurring problem on board. It requires travelers to use headphones if they are playing audio or video or face possible removal from the flight. (Istock)

Under the updated language, passengers who fail to Use headphones While audio or video is playing, it may be removed from the aircraft.

The policy also states that passengers who cause “loss, damage or expense of any kind” may be liable to compensate the airline.

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“It’s about time,” Jacqueline Whitmore, a Florida-based etiquette expert, said of United’s new headphone policy.

she said Fox 32 Chicago“I think we need to adjust our morals whenever we get on a plane, whenever we travel. Ironically, the perpetrators of this are parents — parents who don’t put earbuds in their kids’ ears or headphones on them.”

“We need to pack our morals when we travel on a plane.”

The update from United sparked strong reactions online.

“I fly United a lot and have never experienced this before, but I would lose my mind if someone started playing it loud,” one user wrote on Reddit.

Travelers who turn on audio on flights without headphones or earbuds risk being removed from the plane and may have to cover any associated costs. (Istock)

“I’d say this happens on about a third of my trips,” another replied.

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Others pointed out that while the airline has technically always had the authority to address disruptive behaviour, including the use of headphones in the contract of carriage gives crews the ability to enforce this for real.

Most social media users are happy with this rule, believing it will help reduce disruptive behavior during flights. (Istock)

“Now (let’s) have the same rule for airline lounges,” one user wrote.

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Travelers who don’t have their own headphones can request a free basic wired pair on board, according to United’s in-flight entertainment information.

One travel expert said that “flight attendants will give a warning before blocking passengers” for not using headphones while playing audio or video. (Istock)

United is The first major American airline To formally include the use of headphones in the legally binding passenger agreement, although other carriers encourage similar etiquette on board.

“(This) has always been a big problem,” Whitmore added It started with cell phones “Many years ago.”

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She said she believes what will happen from this point forward is that “the flight attendants will provide a warning before blocking passengers” for not using headphones while playing audio or video.

“Anyone who has a problem with this can be fired by the FAA immediately,” she added.

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