Should airlines ban passengers who refuse to wear headphones? Have your say

You're on your commute, lost in your thoughts, when another passenger boards the bus with their phone turned up to the max. You can hear every random TikTok they watch for the next 10 minutes. Nothing offensive, just annoyingly frantic bursts of sound without context that make your brain itch and your cortisol levels spike. Except you're not on a bus, you're on a plane. And it's not 10 minutes, it's the next three hours.

United Airlines just updated its Contract of carriage policy in a bid to make this horror scenario a thing of the past. It now reserves the right to refuse transport to "Passengers who fail to use headphones while listening to audio or video content."

Should other airlines and public transport companies follow suit? Let us know what you think in our poll and in the comments section, below.

The rule validates what we're all feeling

Personally, I'm all for civil liberties, but I thank United for leading the charge on tackling this common problem. They've confirmed that if you've forgotten yours, you can request free earbuds. And these policies can of course be applied with discretion, so that passengers with sensory needs or disabilities, for example, may not be compelled to wear headphones.

The scenario I described above is one I'm all-too familiar with on buses, trains and subways, and I absolutely hate it. Life is hectic and stressful and over-stimulating enough without strangers forcing their music, socials or streaming choices on me while I'm just trying to get home from a long day. Plus, is it really that hard to bring some cheap headphones or wireless earbuds along with you?

I'm lucky that I can't recall being on a plane with someone being so rude, but can imagine how frustrating it would be to have your ears assaulted by the sound of movie explosions or — worse — cringe NSFW sound effects. Especially as, unlike on a bus or a train, there's no way to get off the plane early or even, usually, to change seats.

It may sound trivial, and at best it is just a bit annoying, but at worst it can feel intimidating.

Like all antisocial behavior, some perpetrators almost seem to be looking for someone to ask them to turn it down, so they can pick a fight. When recently confronted by a tall guy strutting down the train carriage playing loud drum and bass from his iPhone, I felt scared and small (I'm only 5'3"). The last thing I wanted to do is tell him to shush.

I wish that a rail employee had been empowered to tell him to wear headphones or get off.

We're on team 'ban'

I asked my Tom's Guide colleagues what they thought, and they also admired United's ban.

Senior reviews writer Nikita Achanta, who has tested her fair share of earbuds, says, "I'm in favor of this! I hate it when people don't use earbuds or headphones on the bus even. I wouldn't want to be stuck on a long-haul flight with people who are listening to their music or watching videos on their phone (it happened once on a 10-hour flight to India and I was LIVID)."

Computing managing editor Jason England didn't hold back, saying, "there's a special place in hell for people to listen to things out loud on transport. I'm as much of a fan of dnb as the next person, but was about ready to strangle Jez sat in 19C listening to it on the flight back from MWC."

U.K. phones editor Tom Pritchard says, "I am in favor of this. And for kids, make sure to punish the parents who let it happen."

What about the kids

Tom raises a point that those of us with children may find uncomfortable: that kids can be some of the worst perpetrators of out-loud screen time.

The first time I flew with my then-toddler, I was so nervous. Not because I thought he would get upset (he was beyond excited to go on a real life plane) but because I was anxious he might disrupt fellow passengers. And that's a concern I've heard echoed by every parent I know.

Most parents want their children to understand what considerate behavior looks like, and are keen to model this. With our son, we made wearing "daddy's headphones" a game, letting him choose what music he listens to and showing him how cool he looked in the mirror at home, before we ever set foot on the plane. That way, our sometimes fussy child was happy to wear headphones while watching "Paw Patrol" in the air.

Plus, young children love a black-and-white rule – so for many of us, airlines compelling passengers to wear headphones could actually help to convince fussier children that this is a non-negotiable if they want to watch.

I really hope that other airlines and public transport providers follow United in backing up passengers. What do you think? Have your say in the comments below.

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