United Airlines can permanently ban passengers who don't wear headphones

"Under the updated contract, United can "refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis" to passengers who don't follow a list of rules, which now includes listening to audio without wearing headphones. The policy also states that United can remove those passengers from the aircraft "at any point.""

"United spokesperson Stella Balaskas confirmed in a statement to The Verge that the policy was updated on February 27th, saying, "We've always encouraged customers to use headphones when listening to audio content - and our Wi-Fi rules already remind customers to use headphones." Balaskas added that the expansion of Starlink to United flights last year made this "a good time" to reinforce the airline's headphones requirement."

United Airlines has formally added a headphones requirement to its Contract of Carriage, effective February 27th. Passengers must wear headphones when listening to audio or video content during flights. Violations can result in United refusing to transport passengers on a permanent or temporary basis, with removal from the aircraft possible at any point. The airline previously encouraged headphones use informally and through Wi-Fi rules. The expansion of Starlink internet service on United flights prompted the airline to formalize this requirement in its official contract. Passengers without headphones may request complimentary earbuds from the airline, subject to availability.

Read at The Verge