This US Airline Might Ban Passengers Who Break Their New Headphone Policy

What many travelers may simply see as a common courtesy is now a written rule at United Airlines. Recently, the airline updated its contract of carriage to require guests to use headphones when listening to audio on their personal devices. Any audio, whether from a music file, audiobook, or video, must be piped through headphones and not be played through the device's speakers.

The headphone policy was added to United Airlines' list of regulations that lays out several behavioral expectations of its passengers. Refusal to comply with the new headphones rule could get travelers booted off the flight, or worse. So, leaving behind your favorite listening device rather than throwing it into your carry-on before boarding is among a growing list of pre-flight mistakes that could cost you your airplane seat.

In extreme cases, passengers who refuse to use headphones when listening to their personal device can be banned from using the airline altogether. Like many airlines, most of United's planes offer in-flight entertainment. With that entertainment, flight attendants often hand out corded headphones, in case you don't have your own. These free headphones can be used with some cell phones, tablets, and computers in addition to the seatback screens. So, even if you forget your personal earbuds, you can still enjoy personal media privately without disturbing fellow passengers.

Airlines have rules and regulations for many reasons. Most are for the safety of the passengers and the crew, while others are to keep service on the plane efficient and comfortable. United Airlines has 30 such rules in its contract of carriage, and the headphone rule is explicitly explained in section 21, titled "Refusal of Transport." The updated rule states that if a passenger is refused transport for not using headphones, they could be banned from future flights and possibly charged for any expenses the airline incurs from the incident. There are very few travelers who enjoy being crowded into a packed airplane, and common courtesy goes a long way. Adding the headphone rule to your list of rules to abide by on a plane, including unspoken rules to follow if the middle seat is empty, is a polite gesture.

United Airlines is the first U.S.-based airline to write its headphone rule into its contract of carriage. However, many other airlines encourage passengers to turn off the volume on their personal devices when the airplane doors close before takeoff. There are plenty of things to worry about on a flight, like the heated debate on whether or not to recline your seat. But hopefully, United's headphone rule will eliminate at least one of the many annoyances fellow passengers may throw our way.