FLYING with United Airlines should be more peaceful after it vowed to boot off selfish passengers who refuse to wear headphones.
Travelers have applauded the rule change after being infuriated by audio blasting from fellow flyers binge-watching videos.
In what is believed to be an industry-first, the carrier has issued a permanent flying ban policy over noise in cabins, according to travel sources.
United Airlines updated its contract of carriage last month to include a section on listening to personal electronic devices.
It now warns that passengers who refuse to don headphones while listening to audio or watching video can be removed from the aircraft.
The threat comes under its “breach of contract of carriage – failure by passenger to comply with the rules of the contract of carriage” section.
United said it could “remove passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.”
UA also stated it had the “right to refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis.”
The warning was published under rule 21 – one of 30 rules published for passengers, including service complaints and baggage policies.
“The contract of carriage was updated Feb. 27 to add the headphone language,” a spokeswoman confirmed to The U.S. Sun today.
She said it followed last year’s introduction of Starlink Wi-Fi with connectivity across both personal devices and inflight entertainment screens.
“We’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content,” she added.
“And our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones.
“With the expansion of Starlink, it seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage.”
United had “quietly amended its contract of carriage,” commented CBS News yesterday.
“It’s usually only a small number of folks on airplanes who are making noise by not using headphones, so this is a graceful way to handle those folks,” said travel expert Scott Keyes.
He told the broadcaster that he didn’t know of any other major U.S. airline with a similar rule.
United Airlines’ strong line has been widely applauded by flyers and travel experts.
“Some flyers have become such inconsiderate pigs,” said one man.
“If you’re one of those a***holes that blasts audio from your phone without headphones, United Airlines might just ban you from their flight,” warned another on social media.
“This is a rule I can get behind!” wrote one thrilled passenger.
“The sheer volume of people who seem to think I want to hear their phone conversations/video/music in public spaces is only growing.”
United Airlines to ban passengers who don’t wear headphones
The new rule targets travelers using personal electronic devices
Rule 21 Refusal of Transport:
“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:
“Breach of contract of carriage – failure by passenger to comply with the rules of the contract of carriage.
“Passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content.”
Source: United Airlines
One travel writer, Johnny Jet, said it was one of his “pet peeves.”
He said it had become a “widespread habit” that is “inconsiderate.”
United’s “revised language specifically includes passengers who fail to use headphones,” he noted.
The rule is aimed at flyers who “violate a basic form of etiquette and common courtesy,” reported Simple Flying.
The travel website added that many carriers – including American Airlines – have quiet cabin policies.
But, the difference with United Airlines’ stance is that it’s the first to ban travelers without headphones who blast audio from their devices.