A major airline in the United States is tightening its rules around one increasingly common in-flight annoyance: passengers playing audio out loud on their phones or tablets.
The behavior, often referred to online as “barebeating,” describes travelers who watch videos, listen to music, or play games on their devices without using headphones, forcing nearby passengers to hear the sound.
For frequent flyers, the situation has become a familiar frustration. While it may seem minor compared to other disruptive behaviors, even a short burst of loud audio can disrupt the quiet atmosphere of a plane cabin during long flights.
Now, United Airlines has made it clear that the practice could lead to serious consequences.
A new rule in the airline’s policy
United recently updated its Refusal of Transport policy — the section of its contract of carriage that explains when the airline may deny boarding or remove a passenger from a flight.Among the reasons now listed is a new category of disruptive conduct: passengers who play audio or video without using headphones.
Under the updated rule, travelers who refuse to comply may be removed from the aircraft or denied transportation entirely. The policy places the issue alongside other behaviors that can lead to removal, such as interfering with flight attendants, boarding while intoxicated, or causing disturbances in the cabin.
By including the rule in its official passenger agreement, the airline is giving crew members clearer authority to address the problem.
Why the airline clarified the rule
According to statements reported by NBC News, the expectation that passengers should use headphones has always existed. However, the airline decided to spell it out more explicitly.
