United Airlines passengers who refuse to wear headphones for audio or video could be removed from flights under a new policy.
The carrier added the rule to its Contract of Carriage, the legally binding terms passengers accept when buying tickets. It falls under the “Refusal of Transport” section, which lists reasons for denying boarding or removing passengers from aircraft.
“Passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content,” the addition states.
The policy also holds passengers responsible for reimbursing the airline for any “loss, damage or expense of any kind” caused by engaging in any of the prohibited activities.
According to its website, United offers complimentary basic wired headphones when available. Passengers without their own can request a free pair.
United confirmed the requirement in a statement, saying: “We’ve always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content, and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones,” Fox 4 KDFW reported.
The airline added: “With the expansion of Starlink, it seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage.”
While other airlines encourage headphone use, United is the first major U.S. carrier to include it in its passenger agreement.
