United Airlines Elevates In-Flight Experience with Apple TV+ Originals
1. A New Era of Entertainment at 30,000 Feet
In a significant move aimed at enhancing the travel experience, United Airlines Holdings Inc. announced on August 12, 2025, that it will now feature full seasons of select Apple TV+ original series on over 130,000 seatback screens and through the United app. This initiative includes critically acclaimed shows like *Severance*, *Ted Lasso*, *Shrinking*, *Slow Horses*, and *Silo*, all available to passengers at no additional cost.
2. Investment in In-Flight Technology
United Airlines has made substantial investments in its in-flight entertainment systems as part of its United Next growth plan. The airline has implemented seatback screens in every seat across its fleet and recently unveiled a new aircraft interior featuring massive, Bluetooth-enabled, 27-inch, 4K OLED screens—the largest among U.S. carriers. This move is part of the airline's strategy to install over 300,000 screens as it acquires new aircraft and retrofits existing planes.
With the addition of Apple TV+, travelers will have access to thousands of hours of entertainment content each month, further enriching their flying experience. The timing is perfect, especially as Apple TV+ recently garnered a record-breaking 81 Emmy Award nominations, with *Severance* leading the way as the most-nominated series of the year.
3. Enhancing Premium In-Flight Experience
Mark Muren, United's Managing Director of Product, Identity, and Loyalty, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Apple, stating, "Apple creates groundbreaking original series, and United travelers are going to love watching fan-favorite Apple Originals for free on their next flight." He emphasized that this collaboration sets a new standard for premium in-flight experiences.
The Apple TV+ content will be accessible through a dedicated channel, featuring complete first seasons of popular shows. Additionally, *The Morning Show* and *Bad Sisters* are slated for release in September, with new seasons and content being added each month, including over 250 TV show episodes, documentaries, and films—all available for free.
4. Seamless Viewing Experience
Passengers will benefit from the flexibility of watching their favorite shows during their travel journey. Whether on a short domestic flight or a long-haul international trip, travelers can start an episode and easily continue where they left off on their next flight. The complete first season of *Severance*, which consists of nine episodes, is now accessible to customers on both domestic and international flights.
5. Previous Innovations with Apple
United Airlines has a history of partnering with Apple to enhance customer and employee experiences. Some notable innovations include:
- Live Flight Updates: United was the first U.S. airline to support Live Activities on iPhone, providing real-time notifications about boarding, gate numbers, and other essential flight information directly on customers' devices.
- Bag Tracking Enhancements: The airline integrated Apple’s Share Item Location for AirTag, enabling travelers to effortlessly track their luggage in case of mishandling.
- Mobilized Employees: With the implementation of iPhones and iPads, United employees are equipped to deliver more efficient and effective service, contributing to an overall better travel experience for customers.
6. Conclusion
United Airlines' latest initiative to feature Apple TV+ Originals on its flights signifies a transformative approach to in-flight entertainment, setting a benchmark for competitors in the airline industry. As United continues to innovate and enhance the travel experience, it remains committed to offering its customers exceptional service and entertainment at 30,000 feet.
For further details, travelers can visit the United Airlines website.
