Delta Air Lines is bringing YouTube to thousands of seatback screens and personal devices under a new content partnership that broadens in-flight entertainment beyond traditional movies and TV. The rollout begins this week across Delta’s fleet and includes a 14-day free preview of YouTube Premium for eligible SkyMiles members on domestic flights starting Oct. 1, the company said.
Under the arrangement, travelers will find a curated selection of YouTube videos, podcasts, and music playlists on Delta’s seatback systems, with additional access when connected to the carrier’s fast, free Delta Sync Wi-Fi. The Premium preview—available to U.S. SkyMiles members who log in onboard—does not require a form of payment, according to Delta.
Delta says it leads the industry with more than 165,000 seatback screens across 930-plus aircraft, giving YouTube a direct path into the built-in systems that many passengers still prefer over streaming to their own devices. “This partnership was born from a simple but powerful insight: our customers love YouTube,” said Julieta McCurry, Delta’s vice president of In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity.
YouTube framed the move as an extension of its viewing footprint. “Whether it’s on TVs, phones, or now seatback screens, there’s so many ways to experience YouTube’s top creators, culture-defining podcasts, and fan-favorite music content,” said Miguel Quiroga, YouTube’s vice president of product partnerships.
The tie-up was first flagged at CES 2025 as part of Delta’s broader upgrade to next-generation entertainment platforms, including new seatback hardware expected to debut on select aircraft in 2026. Industry coverage also noted YouTube’s push into airline seatback infrastructure as a notable step beyond personal device streaming.
For travelers, this means more options and easier access. For example, handpicked YouTube videos on the seatback and an ad-free Premium preview on personal devices on domestic flights. The partnership brings up problems about licensing, curation, and how ad-supported models can work at 35,000 feet for airlines, studios, and creators. This is especially true since airlines have to balance storage constraints on onboard computers with bandwidth for live updates over Wi-Fi. They didn’t say what those details were.
Delta also said its new boarding music will be powered by YouTube Music, part of a broader effort to tie cabin experience to recognizable digital brands.
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