United Airlines has a new ‘headphone' policy — and not following it could get you banned

Make sure to bring your headphones on your next United Airlines flight — not using them with the volume turned up all the way on your phone or tablet could get you kicked off the plane, or even banned.

The Chicago-based airline quietly added the new policy in a Feb. 27, 2026, update to its “Contract of Carriage” document, which outlines terms and conditions the airline and passengers are expected to follow while traveling.

The new headphone policy falls under Rule 21, “Refusal of Transport,” United Airlines confirmed.

“UA shall have the right to refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis or shall have the right to remove from the aircraft at any point, any Passenger for the following reasons,” the rule states, before laying out a number of scenarios in which United can act to remove a traveler.

The latest addition comes at No. 22, titled “Passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.”

NBC 5 traffic reporter Kye Martin says the rule means passengers must use headphones for any device audio, including music, videos and social media.

“Non-compliance of the rule can lead to removal from the flight and potential permanent bans,” Martin said. If a passenger forgets their headphones, they could ask a flight attendant for a free pair, subject to availability.

A United Airlines spokesperson told NBC Chicago that the airline’s Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones when listening to audio content.

“This policy is part of a broader crackdown on disruptive, inconsiderate behavior,” Martin added. Last year, United announced it was changing the timeframe for when passengers would need to check into their flights by.

The change comes as the Federal Aviation Administration is set to hold a meeting to address overscheduling and “severe congestion” at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport after both United and American Airlines expanded gates.

United expects its biggest summer yet at the airport, saying its schedule will be the largest flown by any airline operating there, the company said in a previous news release. The airline also said it is adding flights to at least eight destinations and anticipates it will will reach 750 flights per day this summer.

from NBC Chicago https://ift.tt/vkUCiEH