It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when or why it happened, but it seems like the constant barrage of people playing videos out loud on their phone is here to stay.
Whether you think companies are to blame for no longer including headphones with new phone purchases, or it’s a symptom of the collapse of the social contract post-Covid, no journey is safe from the sounds of someone flicking through TikTok or listening to music.
Unless you fly with United Airlines, that is.
The American airline updated its contract of carriage late last month to say that it has the right to remove passengers “who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content”.
Passengers could face a lifetime ban as a result as the carrier has the right to refuse transport “on a permanent or temporary basis” for those who break any element of this contract.
United has said that you can request a pair of free headphones for use on board, although it should be noted that these are unlikely to work with your phone unless it has a traditional 3.5 mm jack.
Airplane etiquette in the headlines
It seems the conversation around what’s acceptable to do and wear on flights is reignited every few months.
Late last year, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched a video campaign encouraging people to “dress with respect” at airports, while Tampa International Airport went viral in February for claiming on X that it was banning Crocs and pyjamas in its concourses.
And while the former isn’t enforceable and the latter was a joke, some airlines really do have rules around what to wear on board.
In January 2025, US ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines updated its contract of carriage to ban customers who are barefoot or inadequately clothed, which is defined as “see-through clothing; not adequately covered; exposed breasts, buttocks, or other private parts”.
The airline also warned against lewd, obscene, or offensive clothing and body art such as tattoos.
