You're stuck in seat 22B. The person in front just reclined their seat into your lap, and the guy next to you is snoring like a lawnmower. Normally, this would be a nightmare. But then you tap that glowing screen or open your laptop, and suddenly you’re in the middle of a high-octane chase or a tear-jerker drama.
Honestly, united in flight movies are the only thing keeping most of us sane at 35,000 feet. But there’s a lot of confusion about how it actually works. Do you have to pay? Can you use your own AirPods? Is the selection actually any good, or is it just stuff that bombed in theaters three years ago?
Let's get into the weeds of what’s actually happening with United’s entertainment right now.
The Screen Game: Seatback vs. Personal Device
There is a weird tension on United flights lately. You might walk onto a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 and see beautiful, crisp 4K screens at every single seat. Then, a week later, you board an older "workhorse" plane and find... nothing. Just a plastic seatback and a little clip for your phone.
United is currently in the middle of a massive "United Next" overhaul. They’re retrofitting hundreds of planes to make sure everyone gets a screen, but we aren't there yet.
If your plane doesn't have a screen, don't panic. You aren't relegated to staring at the back of a headrest for four hours. You can still access the full library of united in flight movies through the United app on your own phone, tablet, or laptop. Basically, the plane acts as a local server. You connect to the "United_Wi-Fi" network (you don't have to pay for the internet to watch movies), open the app, and stream for free.
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Pro tip: Bring a portable power bank. Streaming movies absolutely nukes phone batteries, and while many United seats have USB ports, the older ones can be finicky or charge at a snail's pace.
What’s Actually Playing in January 2026?
United doesn't just throw random DVDs into a player. They curate their lists monthly. If you’re flying this month, you’re looking at a pretty heavy-hitting lineup.
We’re seeing major 2025 titles finally hitting the small screen. F1: The Movie is a big one this cycle—perfect for that "I'm moving fast but actually sitting still" vibe. There’s also Roofman and the new John Candy: I Like Me documentary.
What’s kind of cool is their partnership with HBO Max and Apple TV+. Instead of just random episodes, they often have full "box sets" or significant chunks of series. If you’ve been meaning to catch up on The White Lotus or The Last of Us, a cross-country flight is basically a sanctioned binge-watching session.
The Bluetooth Situation (It's Getting Better)
For years, the biggest gripe was the "double-prong" headphone jack. You either had to use the crappy free earbuds the flight attendants handed out or carry a weird adapter for your Bose headphones.
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On the newer United Next planes, Bluetooth is built right into the seatback.
- Tap the Bluetooth icon on the bottom right of your screen.
- Put your headphones in pairing mode.
- Select them from the list.
It sounds simple, but it can be buggy. If your AirPods won't connect, try "unpairing" them from your phone first. Sometimes the headphones get "conflicted" because they’re trying to talk to your pocket and the seat at the same time.
Can You See the Movie List Before You Fly?
Yes, and you should. Nobody wants to realize they've already seen every decent movie on the list when they have six hours to kill over the Atlantic.
You can head over to unitedprivatescreening.com about 24 to 48 hours before your flight. You enter your flight number or destination, and it gives you the exact manifest of what’s available on your specific aircraft.
It’s also worth checking your flight status in the United app. Look under the "Amenities" tab. It’ll tell you if you’re getting "Seatback Entertainment" or "Personal Device Entertainment." If it says "DIRECTV," you’re on one of the planes that features live television—great for sports, but the movie selection on those specific older birds is usually much smaller.
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Accessibility and Hidden Features
United actually won a Crystal Cabin Award for their entertainment system's accessibility. It’s not just a marketing flex; the system has a "Text-to-Speech" mode for travelers with visual impairments and a "Relax Mode" that lets you loop soothing nature videos and lo-fi beats if you're trying to sleep.
They also have a "From the Flight Deck" audio channel on some flights. It's sorta nerdy, but listening to the pilots talk to Air Traffic Control while you're watching the "Flight Map" is weirdly mesmerizing.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Flight
- Download the United app before you leave the house. You cannot download it once you’re in the air without paying for a Wi-Fi pass.
- Check your aircraft type. If you’re on a Boeing 737-MAX or a newer 787 Dreamliner, you’re almost guaranteed a high-end seatback screen with Bluetooth. If you're on a CRJ-550 or an older 737-800, prepare to use your own device.
- Check the "Remaining Flight Time" recommendations. The system actually suggests movies that fit into your specific remaining window so you don't get cut off during the climactic scene while landing.
- Bring wired headphones just in case. Even on Bluetooth-enabled planes, tech fails. Having a pair of $10 wired buds in your bag is the ultimate backup plan.
You've got plenty of options, but a little prep goes a long way. Whether you're catching up on Oscar winners or watching Ted Lasso for the fifth time, the tech is finally starting to catch up to the 21st century.
Maximize your flight by checking the United Private Screening website 24 hours before departure to see if you need to download any specific content or bring a tablet stand.
Ensure your United app is updated to the latest version to avoid playback errors when streaming movies on your own device.
Pack a USB-A to USB-C or Lightning cable, as many United aircraft still utilize the older USB-A ports for in-seat charging.