New Airline Rule: Passengers Could Face Removal for Loud Audio on Flights

United Airlines has clarified its policy requiring passengers to use headphones when playing audio or video on personal devices during flights. The airline says that playing sound out loud—an issue that has increasingly frustrated travelers in the shared, confined space of an aircraft cabin—can disrupt others who are trying to rest, read, or work. Under the updated guidelines in United’s contract of carriage, passengers who ignore requests from flight attendants to lower the volume or use headphones could face consequences, including being removed from the flight or denied future transportation. The move comes as improved onboard Wi-Fi and streaming access make device use more common, prompting airlines to reinforce rules aimed at keeping the cabin environment comfortable for everyone.