United Airlines on Thursday rolled out free, full first seasons of select Apple TV+ originals on all flights, a fleetwide perk that now starts immediately across its domestic and international network. The airline says no Apple TV+ subscription is needed: travelers can press play on seatback screens or stream through the United app on phones and tablets. United calls the tie‑up the most extensive Apple TV+ access in U.S. aviation, positioning the carrier to stand out on long routes and quick hops alike.
The launch, effective August 14, 2025, covers more than 130,000 screens today and will exceed 300,000 as new aircraft arrive and older cabins get upgraded, the company said. United is installing 27‑inch, 4K OLED, Bluetooth‑enabled seatback displays—the largest in the U.S. airline industry—under its United Next plan. The carrier also built a continuity feature so passengers can resume an episode on their next trip, a helpful touch for frequent fliers and families connecting through hubs.
What’s available on board
At launch, travelers can watch complete first seasons of:
– Severance
– Ted Lasso
– Shrinking
– Slow Horses
– Silo
United says The Morning Show and Bad Sisters join in September, with more titles added every month. The catalog is set to top 250 episodes, documentaries, and films by year’s end. Access is free on seatback screens and via the United app; only later seasons require a paid Apple TV+ subscription once you’re back on the ground.
Getting started is straightforward on board or in the app:
1. Open the entertainment menu and choose the Apple TV+ channel.
2. Pick a show’s first season and press play.
3. If you stop mid‑episode, your place is saved for your next United flight.
Important: Access to first seasons requires no login onboard, and streaming does not use your personal data plan.
Why United emphasizes seatback hardware
Mark Muren, United’s managing director of product, identity and loyalty, said travelers will appreciate the higher‑quality content on the new high‑definition displays, calling the collaboration a first in the U.S. market for depth and fleet coverage. The message is clear: keep customers entertained from pushback to landing without asking them to pay extra or juggle sign‑ins at 35,000 feet.
Industry watchers note the move comes as some rivals remove seatback screens in favor of streaming only to personal devices. By going big on hardware and premium shows, United Airlines is betting that a simple, plug‑and‑play experience beats fiddling with cords and battery anxiety. The airline’s approach also outpaces earlier Apple TV+ tie‑ins at competitors, which offered fewer titles or limited aircraft coverage.
Why this matters for international travelers
For immigrants, students, and workers flying long haul to the United States 🇺🇸 or onward to family abroad, in‑flight time often doubles as catch‑up time: messages to send, forms to review, kids to calm. Free Apple TV+ on all flights takes one worry off the list.
- Parents can queue a whole season of a familiar series to keep children occupied.
- Solo travelers can pace episodes between meals and rest, then pick up where they left off on the return leg.
- The resume feature supports multi‑city itineraries, carrying your place across flights, not just within a single trip.
One practical tip after an international arrival: once you’re on Wi‑Fi, confirm your entry record. Many travelers check their Form I‑94 travel history online to ensure details match their passport and ticket. You can access the official record here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94. Verifying names and dates early helps when you later apply for benefits, renew a visa, or prove lawful entry to an employer or school.
How access works on different aircraft
- Most newer cabins have the big seatback screens; plug in wired earbuds or pair Bluetooth headphones.
- On other aircraft, the United app streams the same Apple TV+ first seasons to your phone or tablet once you’re at cruising altitude.
- No login is required onboard, and the stream won’t consume your personal data plan.
There is one catch: only first seasons are included. If you want later seasons after landing, you’ll need a paid Apple TV+ subscription. Analysts say the design makes sense for both sides—United boosts comfort and brand loyalty, and Apple showcases its shows to millions of potential subscribers stuck in a seat with time to spare. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, exposure at scale during travel often leads to post‑trip sign‑ups.
Fleet coverage and continuity
United says the program reaches more than 130,000 screens today, spanning narrow‑body jets on busy domestic routes and wide‑bodies used on trans‑Atlantic and trans‑Pacific flights. As the airline takes delivery of new aircraft and retrofits older cabins, the count should pass 300,000.
That kind of coverage means a traveler can:
– Start a season departing Newark
– Continue it days later from Denver
– Finish on a return leg to London or Tokyo
United also confirmed monthly updates to the Apple TV+ lineup throughout 2025, with new series, films, and documentaries added on a rolling basis.
Practical benefits and traveler experience
The timing also speaks to broader habits. As more airports push fast boarding, many keep devices in airplane mode to save battery for arrival. A built‑in screen with Apple TV+ content means:
– Fewer decisions about downloads before you leave home
– Fewer interruptions when cabin crew asks for devices to be stowed during taxi and landing
– Less need to worry about cords, adapters, or device battery life
United lists customer support at 1‑800‑UNITED‑1 for travelers who need help pairing headphones or finding the Apple TV+ channel, though most questions are handled on board. The company said crew members received training as the rollout began in August.
For now, the offer covers first seasons only, and the airline has not announced plans to add later seasons or exclusive cuts.
Bottom line
For newcomers settling in, visiting family, or commuting between work sites, the difference is simple: a quieter cabin and less out‑of‑pocket spend to stay entertained. With Apple TV+ first seasons available on all flights, United Airlines is staking out a quality‑first path at a moment when travelers want fewer hoops and more calm.
Watch, rest, and land ready for immigration lines and baggage claim; pick up the story again when you fly home.
This Article in a Nutshell
United rolled out free full first seasons of select Apple TV+ originals on flights starting August 14, 2025, across 130,000+ seatback screens. Passengers stream without login via seatback or United app; continuity saves progress across United flights. New 27-inch 4K OLED screens and monthly catalog updates enhance long‑haul and domestic travel comfort.
