United Airlines and Apple TV+ Team Up to Offer Free In-flight Entertainment

United Airlines has partnered with Apple TV+ to offer free access to select shows on its in-flight entertainment system and mobile app. The partnership brings acclaimed Apple Originals, including Severance, Shrinking, Ted Lasso, and Slow Horses, to the airline's platform. However, the offer only includes the first seasons of these shows, and passengers will need to subscribe to Apple TV+ to continue watching beyond that. The partnership aims to convert flyers into paying subscribers once they are back on the ground.

United Airlines has announced a strategic partnership with Apple TV+ to provide free access to select shows on its in-flight entertainment system and mobile app. This collaboration brings acclaimed Apple Originals, including "Severance," "Shrinking," "Ted Lasso," and "Slow Horses," to the airline's platform. However, the offer is limited to the first seasons of these shows, and passengers will need to subscribe to Apple TV+ to continue watching beyond that.

The partnership aims to enhance the in-flight entertainment experience for passengers and convert flyers into paying subscribers once they are back on the ground. United Airlines is the latest major US carrier to offer free Apple TV+ programming on board, following a similar long-running deal between Apple and American Airlines. The Apple TV+ channel will receive monthly updates, with additional titles and possibly new genres being introduced over time.

At launch, passengers can enjoy the full first seasons of "Severance," "Shrinking," "Ted Lasso," "Slow Horses," and "Silo." The airline has confirmed that "The Morning Show" and "Bad Sisters" will be added to the line-up in September. The availability of these shows on United Airlines flights effectively gives passengers a free trial experience during their journey. This collaboration benefits both parties, with airlines marketing enhanced passenger comfort and streaming services gaining a captive audience for their content.

United Airlines estimates that more than 250 episodes, films, and specials will be made available through the arrangement. The partnership follows a similar long-running deal between Apple and American Airlines, which also offers select Apple TV+ content to its passengers. Other streaming platforms are also entering the aviation space, with Crunchyroll announcing a tie-up with Delta Air Lines to bring anime content to its flights.

The availability of these shows on United Airlines flights effectively gives passengers a free trial experience during their journey. Analysts note that such collaborations benefit both parties, airlines can market enhanced passenger comfort, while streaming services gain a captive audience for their content.

References:
[1] https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/united-airlines-flights-offer-apple-tv-hits-like-severance-for-free-but-theres-a-catch/amp_articleshow/123262690.cms
[2] https://9to5mac.com/2025/08/12/apple-tv-plus-united-airlines-free-shows/
[3] https://www.macrumors.com/2025/08/12/united-airlines-apple-tv-plus/