United in-flight entertainment

[njmousefest]

If our upcoming flights on United have in-flight seat back entertainment, do they have headphones available, or do we all need to bring our own earpods? Does a standard jack work? I remember years ago united had a weird dual jack...

 

[SirDuff]

What is your routing? What type of plane are you on? What class of service are you in?

 

[alliecat523]

The flights I've been on use a standard headphone jack. No more of those dual jacks. If you're in a higher class you'll get the headphones for free. Economy will usually offering them for a fee so bring your own!

 

[njmousefest]

Thanks. Thought I had this in transportation. mods, please feel free to move as appropriate.

 

[JessM]

The last couple United flights I was on you had to bring your own device to use the free in flight entertainment. I connected my ipad and watched a couple movies, it worked great. I think "bring your own device" is the direction United is moving in...

 

[ayeckley]

If our upcoming flights on United have in-flight seat back entertainment, do they have headphones available, or do we all need to bring our own earpods? Does a standard jack work? I remember years ago united had a weird dual jack...

Be aware that the seat back entertainment (through DIRECTV) has limited offerings unless you pay for the access. Even then, about 25% of the time there's some sort of problem with the system (usually the buttons on the armrest) in my first-hand experience, so you may want to have a back-up plan for entertainment. Complimentary headsets are available although you may have to ask for one. I haven't seen the dual-jack setup in many years.

If the aircraft has the seat-back/DIRECTV system (most 737's) then the "free entertainment" (wireless, using your own device) will not be available. It's in very, very small print in the back of Hemispheres magazine. "Wi-Fi enabled" isn't the same as "wireless entertainment enabled". The United App just sort of hangs when you try to use the Entertainment function on a flight with DIRECTV. The flight attendants generally don't seem to realize this (or perhaps just won't tell you this to avoid conflict). YMMV.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

The flights I've been on use a standard headphone jack. No more of those dual jacks. If you're in a higher class you'll get the headphones for free. Economy will usually offering them for a fee so bring your own!

I've flown first and business class on United many times and have rarely been offered headphones. No problem, as I always bring my own.

You can find out what entertainment options are available on UA's website.