Could the Future of Air Travel Be Wireless? United and Apple Think So.

Picture a scenario where you no longer have to navigate tangled headphone wires while getting in and out of your airplane seat, rely on mediocre provided earbuds for inflight entertainment, or take off your wireless headphones to hear the snack options from your friendly flight attendant. Sound too good to be true? Maybe. However, United Airlines and Apple believe it can be a reality.

Last week, United announced ambitious plans to equip hundreds of its aircraft with Bluetooth technology, enabling travelers to effortlessly use their wireless headphones while enjoying the seatback screens. This move positions United as the first major U.S. airline to completely transform its fleet with this wireless technology, which United anticipates will be enhanced by the latest Apple AirPods.

"When we saw the new features of Apple’s AirPods Pro, we truly felt it demonstrated how technology can enhance your travel experience," stated Jason Birnbaum, United’s chief information officer, during a press event at a United hangar at San Francisco International Airport. There, representatives from both companies elaborated on the advantages of integrating United and Apple technologies.

United has already equipped over 100 aircraft—covering all its Boeing 737 MAX 8 and most Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes—with seatback screens featuring Bluetooth technology, with plans to roll it out on more than 800 airplanes by 2032. Each time Bluetooth-enabled screens are installed on an aircraft, this technology will be available at every seat, from front to back, according to United. Customers flying on an airplane with Bluetooth capability will receive a predeparture email alerting them to the onboard availability of Bluetooth, similar to notifications for Wi-Fi access during the flight.

United's new seatback Bluetooth technology allows pairing with any wireless headphones, not limited to Apple products. However, Apple has showcased some innovative features in its latest AirPods Pro that can enhance the travel experience. These features include “conversation awareness,” which reduces volume and noise cancellation when the user speaks (ideal for chatting with flight attendants during service or while navigating TSA lines) and “adaptive audio,” which adjusts volume and noise cancellation based on the user's environment. The AirPods Pro also features “transparency mode,” enabling users to hear their surroundings as if not wearing headphones, while “active noise cancellation” helps eliminate distractions like engine noise or other passengers, allowing focus on content.

"Travelers want to remain connected while flying, but there are numerous interactions between our crew and passengers," stated Birnbaum.

During the event, Apple representatives guided reporters through the steps to pair a Bluetooth device (specifically the AirPods Pro) with United's newly updated aircraft.

Here’s how it operates:

• After taking your seat on a United flight with Bluetooth pairing available on the seatback screen, power up the screen and click the Bluetooth icon located on the toolbar at the bottom.
• Ensure that your wireless headphones are disconnected from other devices and activate their Bluetooth mode—typically by holding the Bluetooth button until it starts flashing.
• Once your headphones are in pairing mode, you can select them from the Bluetooth dropdown menu.

As someone not very tech-savvy, I found the help from Apple and United representatives invaluable for getting connected initially. However, I could tell that after a few attempts, the process of establishing a wireless connection would become much easier. We also got to try out the conversation awareness feature of the AirPods Pro, which reduces noise cancellation as soon as you start talking—quite impressive!

For United flights lacking built-in Bluetooth functionality, or on airlines without this tech, there are Bluetooth adapters like the AirFly adapter by Twelve South (priced at $55) that can be plugged into the headphone jack for wireless device connectivity. Birnbaum also suggested that travelers should still carry a wired backup option, as Bluetooth connectivity might not always be available on future United flights. For instance, a last-minute aircraft swap due to maintenance could mean using an older plane without the tech.

Currently, United is the only major U.S. airline providing Bluetooth connectivity throughout its fleet via seatback screens. (Delta Air Lines does offer Bluetooth pairing in first-class on its newest Airbus A321neo planes, which were introduced last year.) Additionally, several international airlines are also beginning to incorporate this technology into their seatback screens, including Air France, Etihad, and Qatar Airways.

United's Bluetooth enhancements are part of a broader investment strategy for the airline's fleet, which includes technology-focused upgrades to the first-class experience (featuring wireless charging and high-definition screens paired with a companion remote) and new comfort features in the United Polaris international business-class cabin aimed at improving sleep quality.

Earlier this month, United announced its order for 110 new airplanes, set to begin delivery in 2028. These aircraft will not only enable United to expand its domestic and international reach, but they will also come equipped with seatback screens featuring Bluetooth connectivity and “fast Wi-Fi.” The order includes 50 Boeing 787-9s and 60 Airbus A321neos, and will also promise “ample overhead space for all carry-ons”—an ambitious goal for improved overhead bin capacity that United initially presented before the pandemic.

United anticipates that by 2030, 75 percent of its fleet will consist of what the airline classifies as “new-generation” aircraft, complete with these anticipated upgrades.