United Airlines unveils inflight entertainment upgrades including Control Tower map

United's new screens boast 4K resolution, providing high-definition visuals. A notable addition is the Control Tower view feature. This map shows the airfield with surrounding aircraft and allows passengers to see their position for departure. Green noted this feature is enabled through a partnership with Betria Interactive's FlightPath3D product.

Channel 9 remains available for aviation enthusiasts who wish to listen to air traffic control radio chatter between pilots and controllers. However, Green explained that pilots can choose whether or not to enable this feature.

United also plans regular software updates for its seatback entertainment systems to ensure they remain current and functional. The airline announced last year it would integrate Starlink satellite internet service across its fleet, which could enhance the inflight screen experience.

Despite these advancements, United will not be offering screencasting capabilities on its screens due to privacy concerns from corporate partners.

Green emphasized that while travelers can still use personal devices for content consumption, United aims to create a living room-like experience with reliable internet on their seatback systems.