United Airlines introduces strict new rule for passengers who use electronic devices during flight

United Airlines has updated its list of reasons which can see a passenger 'refused' travel and it's about time this rule was made official.

Ah yes, another issue to add to the debate on plane etiquette. Although, rather than social media users questioning whether or not it's rude to pass things over the laps of others during flights, this societal no-go has been officially ruled as unacceptable by United Airlines itself.

And it's an addition of a rule under section 21 titled 'Refusal of Transport' which couldn't have come soon enough.

The section explains United Airlines has 'the right to refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis or shall have the right to remove [a passenger] from the aircraft at any point' for a number of reasons.

Included in the reasons it lists are some fairly obvious no-no's, such as 'failure to pay' and passengers who decide it's a smart move to show up unclothed, barefoot or intoxicated.

However, in an amended version of it's 'contract of carriage,' United has since added clause 22 under section 21.

Next time you take to the sky with United Airlines, remember your headphones (Sawayasu Tsuji/Getty Images)

The contract details the airline will also have the right to refuse transport or remove a passenger if they should 'fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content'.

Frankly, if you meet the criteria for this additional rule, I don't know how you haven't been thrown off already.

We've all been on a bus or train and experienced a rising heat in our cheeks as we grow more and more infuriated by the sound of someone's awful playlist clashing out of their headphone-less phone or the pinging of a child's gaming toy attacking our ears.

And should you dare go against United Airlines' latest rule addition?

Well, it warns any passengers who engage in any of the activities listed in rule 21 which leads to 'any loss, damage, or expense of any kind' for United will have to 'reimburse' the airline.

Not only this, but the airline also holds 'the right to refuse transport, on a permanent basis, any passenger who engages in any of the activities in this Rule'.

"In addition, the activities enumerated in this Rule shall constitute a material breach of contract, for which UA shall be excused from performing its obligations under this contract," it adds.

Don't be that person to play videos and audio out loud (Getty Stock Images)

Now, as well as feeling other passengers' burning eyes in the back of your skull should you play music aloud, if you do continue doing so and end up removed from the flight, United Airlines isn't 'liable for its refusal to transport any passenger or for its removal of any passenger in accordance with this Rule'.

You 'may be eligible for a refund upon request,' but maybe just don't be selfish in the first place and remember to pack - and use - your headphones.

The change was confirmed in an email to The Post, a spokesperson noting the airline has 'always encouraged customers to use headphones' with the 'Wi-Fi rules' acting as a 'reminder' too.

"With the expansion of Starlink, it seemed like a good time to make that even clearer by adding it to the contract of carriage," they added.

And should you forget your headphones? Well, don't fret, if you ask nicely, United Airlines crew members should be able to provide some for free.

UNILAD has contacted United Airlines for further comment.

You've been warned.

• United Airlines flight carrying 221 passengers hits truck and light pole while landing at Newark airport
• One question you should never ask a flight attendant after passenger sparked security scare during flight
• List of the best airlines in the world in 2025 has been revealed and some might surprise you
• Airline sparks outrage with controversial new plus-size seating rule