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    United Airlines Ups Entertainment on Flights

    icon-user Dar Dowling icon-comments Comments July 22, 2020

    Do you wish there was more to do when you’re in the air? If so, United Airlines has something to offer you. The airline is taking its in-flight entertainment up a notch with the expansion of its United Private Screening in-flight entertainment initiative.

    With this expansion, United is upping the amount of HBO programming on flights, offering exclusively curated content from Vevo and rolling out access to free personal device entertainment on its two-cabin express regional jets.

    United offers in-flight entertainment on personal devices
    United offers in-flight entertainment on personal devices

    While flying, passengers can now access a wide range of movies, including the Taken trilogy, Birdman and The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. They can also access such popular TV series as Veep, Orange Is the New Black, Mad Men, True Detective, Entourage and Game of Thrones.

    Have you missed a concert you’re dying to see? No worries! United’s partnership with Vevo means that it is now offering music videos and concerts. United is also the official airline for the Tribeca Film Festival, so film buffs can check out content curated by the festival.

    United Takes Entertainment Seriously

    Depending on the aircraft, travelers will be able to watch TV shows and movies via an overhead screen, seat-back monitor or their personal device for free. Right now, 200 airplanes are outfitted to provide free in-flight streaming, whether people opt to watch them on their computer or Apple/Android devices.

    United sees this as a way to give its customers more entertainment and make traveling more fun. “Whether they travel for business or pleasure, we’re designing United Private Screening to ensure our customers have access to content that is entertaining, interesting, wide-ranging and relaxing,” said Scott Wilson, United’s vice president of merchandising and e-commerce. “Our ongoing expansion of personal device entertainment and the additional HBO and Vevo content provide our customers more in-flight entertainment choices than ever before.”

    Regional Jets Get an Upgrade

    Passengers who book regional flights on United Express’s Wi-Fi-equipped E170, E175 and CRJ700 aircraft can also log in and get free streaming movies and TV series. There are now 120 of these jets in the air, but all of the Wi-Fi-equipped jets will be ready to go by August 13.

    United’s Wi-Fi equipped regional jets will offer free streaming
    United’s Wi-Fi equipped regional jets will offer free streaming

    This rollout of entertainment for personal devices is the second round of new upgraded service after the launch of the premium cabin experience on United Express, which offers passengers freshly prepared meals for flights traveling at least 800 miles. These meals are not served in trays, but on chinaware.

    United also introduced a pilot program this summer letting passengers rent 8.4-inch tablets loaded with games, movies and television shows. For now, the tablets are available on trips between the U.S. and Honolulu, and Honolulu and Guam.

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