Passengers Can Stream Music and Video Podcasts as Spotify Comes to United Airlines Seatbacks With Starlink Help

Personal streaming on board

United has developed a native Spotify app for seatback screens. Passengers can access their own accounts and stream their libraries, playlists and video podcasts while flying. They can also use Starlink Wi-Fi to stream Spotify on their personal devices. The airline had previously announced a partnership with Spotify to explore preloaded music, but chose to move toward account-based listening, Mark Muren, United’s managing director for product marketing, said in an interview. Muren described the service as a highly personalized experience, with customers using their actual accounts and available material.

Starlink supports the service

United is installing Starlink Wi-Fi throughout its fleet. Grant Milstead, the airline’s vice president for digital, said the connection made the new integration possible and described fast, low-latency service as an essential factor.

The article reports that Starlink has more than 11,000 satellites in low Earth orbit. It says the network’s infrastructure enables lower latency than satellites in geostationary orbit, because signals travel a shorter distance.

Milstead said United selected Starlink for global connectivity, including on some transatlantic and transpacific flights. He said passengers have been able to stream through seatbacks without interruptions, reducing the need for complex engineering.

A broader shift in entertainment

Older in-flight systems relied on content stored on the aircraft because flights lacked internet access. With Starlink connectivity, passengers can stream content from the internet instead. United plans to pursue partnerships with other third-party streaming apps. Muren said Spotify could serve as a blueprint for future integrations, and that other platforms familiar to customers may fit the airline’s plans.