In-Flight Entertainment: Broken Down by Airline

Flying can make travel quicker, but hours spent sitting in the middle seat can make it seem long. For the most part, the cell phone or laptop you bring along for entertainment is only as good as the battery life and the media you remembered to download beforehand.

That's where the airlines come in. Carriers have stepped up their game to offer more in-flight entertainment options on seatback screens and passengers' own devices.

With every airline battling for your business, which one excels when it comes to in-flight entertainment? We rounded up your options for onboard entertainment on some of the major airlines to give you a better idea of what each one offers.

Before we get into the details of all the entertainment available, let’s talk about the absolute best airline for onboard entertainment. NerdWallet conducted an in-depth study across 14 different airlines to figure out which one was the best.

We considered a variety of factors, including free movies, Wi-Fi availability and cost, in-set USB access, complimentary snacks and more. 

As it did in 2024, Delta came out in first place in 2025 thanks to its free Wi-Fi on domestic flights for all guests, wide inclusion of seatback screens and free snacks. Other airlines in the top three include JetBlue and Southwest, both of which offer some similar amenities to passengers. 

Here’s how the rankings shook out.

» Learn more: The best airline for in-flight entertainment

Movies and TV

Depending on the aircraft, American Airlines passengers can watch a slew of movies, TV shows and live TV. These can be viewed on seatback screens and passengers’ personal devices.

Larger aircraft are more likely to have seatback screens, which put the entertainment options right at passengers’ fingertips. Bring your own personal device, and you can stream from American's catalog of movies and shows. People who want to watch the airline's in-flight offerings from their smartphone or tablet must have the American Airlines app downloaded before takeoff to be able to access the content. As long as passengers only watch video content from the American Airlines entertainment hub, they don’t have to pay for the Wi-Fi.

But if you want to stream your own movies or shows, you can do that too. In March 2024, American Airlines announced it would be the first airline to offer video streaming capabilities on its entire mainline fleet. Though, you'll need a Wi-Fi connection, which may require an extra fee (more on that later).

» Learn more: The complete guide to the American Airlines AAdvantage program

Music

American Airlines is the first commercial airline to provide access to music streaming through complimentary inflight Wi-Fi access. Apple Music users can stream more than 50 million songs, playlists and music videos on any domestic flight with Wi-Fi. 

Wi-Fi

As of January 2026, American Airlines will offer free Wi-Fi to all AAdvantage loyalty program members (free to join) on approximately 90% of its fleet. This service is sponsored by AT&T and will be available on aircraft equipped with Intelsat and Viasat satellite Wi-Fi.

Until then — or on flights that aren't equipped with Wi-Fi — Wi-Fi pricing varies by flight length and route, typically ranging from $10-$35 per flight. Monthly subscriptions are available starting at $49.95 for one device or $59.95 for two devices.

T-Mobile customers on eligible plans (Magenta, Magenta MAX) receive free or discounted Wi-Fi on select American flights with Viasat or Intelsat systems.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Movies and TV

United Airlines offers more than 100 channels of live TV to the viewing options aboard certain 737 United aircraft with seatback TVs. In addition to the DirecTV channels, United customers also have access to a huge collection of movies and TV series available on personal devices through the United app.

Music

The United Private Screening options on seatback TVs include music channels and music video playlists from Vevo.

Wi-Fi

United is installing Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet of 1,000+ aircraft. As of December 2025, more than half of United Express regional jets have Starlink installed, and the first Boeing 737-800 with Starlink entered service in October 2025. The rollout is expected to be completed across the entire fleet over the next few years.

As far as the non-Starlink-equipped aircraft, the fee is fairly nominal. On domestic and short-haul international flights (Mexico and Canada), Wi-Fi costs $8 for MileagePlus members or $10 for non-members. International routes may have different pricing. But once Starlink installation is complete, Wi-Fi will be free for all MileagePlus members (free to join). United is installing Starlink at a rate of approximately 15 Boeing 737s per month and 50+ regional jets per month.

All passengers can get free messaging on most United flights using apps that send messages over Wi-Fi (such as iMessage and WhatsApp), regardless of whether they purchase Wi-Fi.

» Learn more: What the United Airlines MileagePlus programs gets right

Movies and TV

Delta passengers can access an extensive catalog of movies and TV shows from Delta Studio while on board. Sure, Delta has the usual movies you'd expect, but it also has some unique offerings. As part of a deal Delta struck with with MasterClass, passengers can stream classes from experts including best-selling authors and renowned chefs, such as an Italian cooking class with Massimo Bottura. A partnership with Peloton offers exclusive instructor-led stretching and meditation classes.

Seatback screens are also available on select aircraft. In the coming years, expect those screens to get even fancier. Delta announced plans to implement 4K HDR QLED displays, plus Bluetooth connectivity for pairing personal devices in every cabin sometime in 2026.

» Learn more: 5 things the Delta SkyMiles program gets right

Music

The seatback screens provide a variety of audio content including podcasts and music curated by Spotify.

Wi-Fi

Delta provides free Wi-Fi on most domestic mainline aircraft. All you have to do to get in on it is sign up for its Delta SkyMiles loyalty program.

On aircraft where free Wi-Fi is not yet installed (primarily international flights), customers can still send messages free of charge on their in-flight Wi-Fi. Flyers can send messages through iMessage, Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, provided that they already have the apps downloaded.

On select international flights without free Wi-Fi, pricing starts at $7 per hour for basic Wi-Fi.

Movies and TV

Southwest passengers can watch movies and TV shows on-demand on the Southwest. They also offer live TV channels like CNN, FX and ESPN.

Just bring your own device, as Southwest doesn't have seatback screens.

Music

The Southwest entertainment portal lets passengers stream music from iHeartRadio. There are genre-specific radio stations, artist-focused playlists and curated stations with themes like “Pass the Time” or “Kids Zone.”

» Learn more: Southwest Companion Pass: Why you want it and how to get it

Wi-Fi

Southwest now offers free unlimited Wi-Fi to all Rapid Rewards members (free to join) on every flight. This service is powered by T-Mobile and available gate-to-gate across Southwest's 800+ aircraft fleet, making Southwest the largest U.S. airline to offer free Wi-Fi on every flight.

If for some reason you don't want to join, Wi-Fi cost $8 per device per flight (or per day for connecting flights).

Movies and TV

JetBlue can have a more limited movie selection than other airlines. The movie selection is different for outbound and inbound flights and changes every month.

The TV selection, on the other hand, is much more diverse, with as many as 100 channels of live TV from DirecTV on certain aircraft with seatback screens.

JetBlue also has The Hub for people to access content on their personal devices. Flyers connect to the Wi-Fi and then can access all sorts of free content including shows and movies, magazines and e-books.

Through a partnership with JetBlue, people can also stream content from Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming service.

TrueBlue loyalty program members are also eligible for special offers on Peacock, including a complimentary one-year Peacock Premium subscription for TrueBlue Mosaic status holders and the chance to earn points by subscribing.

Music

JetBlue's Fly-Fi is free for all customers and there are no restrictions on streaming. JetBlue was the first major U.S. airline to offer free Wi-Fi to passengers, launching the service in 2017.

Wi-Fi

JetBlue’s FlyFi is free for all customers and there are no restrictions on streaming.

Movies and TV

Alaska Airlines offers the ability to watch TV shows and movies with your personal devices on nearly all its flights. To do so, you’ll want to navigate to the onboard Wi-Fi once you’ve boarded your flight. 

» Learn more: The complete guide to Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards

Wi-Fi

Alaska Airlines is installing ultra-fast Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet, including regional, narrowbody, and widebody aircraft. Installation begins in 2026, with completion expected by 2027. Once installed, Starlink Wi-Fi will be free for all Atmos Rewards members (free to join), powered by a partnership with T-Mobile.

Until then, Most Alaska planes currently have satellite Wi-Fi available for $8 for the duration of your flight. Monthly and annual passes are also available.

Alaska Airlines offers free in-flight texting. Passengers can connect to the Wi-Fi and send messages via iMessage, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram and Google Messages without charge.

» Learn more: How to send and receive text messages on a flight

Frontier Airlines currently doesn't offer Wi-Fi or other in-flight entertainment options on most flights.

The majority of the Spirit Airlines fleet offers inflight Wi-Fi. The price to connect varies from route to route and depends on which plan you choose. According to Spirit, the starting price for streaming Wi-Fi is $5.99, while message-worthy Wi-Fi begins at $2.99. 

Free Spirit Gold elite members and Spirit First passengers get complimentary Wi-Fi.

Bring your own device to stream, though, as there aren't any seatback screens. And beware. The Spirit tray tables are tiny.

Movies, TV and music

Passengers can watch any title from a huge catalog of movies and TV shows on the seatback screens on certain British Airways airplanes. The collection includes everything from new films to Headspace meditation programs and kids content.

The airline gives passengers access to what’s playing onboard and allows them to create a watchlist online before they take off. The in-flight entertainment system also has music channels and podcasts.

Newspapers and magazines

British Airways travelers also have access to more than 7,000 digital newspapers and magazines through the airline’s partnership with PressReader. Users must download the PressReader app, and anything that they download can be kept after the flight.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is available on 90% of British Airways flights through the .air service provider, which gives passengers the option of purchasing in-flight Wi-Fi plans. 

Hawaiian Airlines merged with Alaska Airlines in 2024. Hawaiian's loyalty program (HawaiianMiles) was integrated into Alaska's Atmos Rewards program in October 2025.

Movies and TV

Hawaiian Airlines offers free in-flight entertainment to all passengers on flights across the Pacific. On the A330 planes, there are seatback screens in the main cabin and tablets in the premium cabin.

On flights on Hawaiian’s A321neo aircraft, travelers can stream entertainment via the Hawaiian Airlines app.

Wi-Fi

Hawaiian Airlines became the first major U.S. airline to offer free Starlink Wi-Fi. The service is available on all Airbus A330 and A321neo aircraft on flights between the islands and the continental U.S., Asia, and Oceania. Starlink will also be installed on Hawaiian's Boeing 787-9 fleet.

Passengers can connect to Starlink as soon as they board, with speeds fast enough for streaming, working, and gaming—even over remote portions of the Pacific Ocean. The service is completely free with no restrictions.

Hawaiian does not plan to install Starlink on its Boeing 717 aircraft, which are used for short inter-island flights.