United’s Onboard Streaming Service Now Available on Android Devices

In-flight entertainment streaming on United flights is now available on both Apple and Android devices.

Flyers traveling with Android phones and tablets can now enjoy wireless in-flight entertainment on select United Airlines flights. The Chicago Tribune reports the airline officially completed the upgrades on Friday, November 20.

The service upgrade is in line with the legacy carrier’s dedication to increasing Wi-Fi and in-flight entertainment capabilities across its fleet. In October, United announced plans to upgrade a number of regional jets, including Embraer E170, Embraer E175, and Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft, with new in-flight entertainment systems. United also announced plans to install more in-seat power outlets on aircraft equipped with the new entertainment system.

Currently, flyers are able to access wireless in-flight entertainment on over 200 United aircraft, primarily on the Airbus A319 and A320, as well as the Boeing 747-400 and 777-200. The airline estimates that entertainment on personal devices will be available on over 340 aircraft by mid-2015.

“Travelers increasingly want to watch entertainment on their own devices,” said Tom O’Toole, United’s senior vice president of marketing and loyalty. “[This is] shown by the measurable improvement in satisfaction among travelers who fly on aircraft with personal device programming.”

The added support for Android devices is on-time with a promise made by United to add support by the end of 2014. Flyers can check whether or not their aircraft is outfitted with wireless in-flight entertainment by logging in with their flight information on United.com. In order to access wireless in-flight entertainment onboard, Android users will have to upgrade their United App to the latest version prior to departure.

[Photo: United Airlines]