Virgin America has expanded its in-flight entertainment options by adding access to Spotify and The New York Times, giving passengers more ways to stay informed and entertained while airborne.
Until March 2, 2016, travelers on Virgin America flights can stream curated, city-themed playlists and tap into Spotify’s catalog of more than 30 million songs. At the same time, The New York Times will be available with live-updated content for passengers who connect their personal electronic devices to the airline’s high-speed ViaSat WiFi service. This provides a mix of realtime news and a massive music library for whatever mood or itinerary passengers have.
Virgin America has positioned itself around providing a broad, flexible entertainment experience. The carrier has offered fleetwide WiFi since 2009 and equips every seat with Red® entertainment touch-screens that include recent movie releases, live television, video games and MP3s. The addition of Spotify and daily New York Times content via ViaSat WiFi extends that capability by enabling customers to access familiar news coverage and a global music service from their own devices at 35,000 feet.
Abby Lunardini, vice president of brand marketing and communications at Virgin America, described the expansion as a natural next step. She emphasized the airline’s focus on providing guests greater control over their in-flight experience and highlighted how the combination of reliable onboard connectivity and popular digital services enhances passenger choice. For many travelers, the ability to read timely news stories and stream preferred playlists during a flight helps make travel time more productive and enjoyable.
From commuters catching up on the morning headlines to leisure travelers creating the perfect soundtrack for a trip, the new offerings are designed to suit a wide range of passenger needs. Spotify’s curated city playlists can complement specific destinations or moods, while the continuously updated reporting from The New York Times keeps readers current on domestic and international developments.
The integration with ViaSat’s high-speed WiFi is a key component of the service. Reliable connectivity at altitude allows passengers to use their own devices—smartphones, tablets, and laptops—to access streaming music and real-time news without relying solely on the aircraft’s built-in entertainment screens. This approach reflects a broader trend in aviation toward personalization and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) convenience, letting passengers choose how they consume content during a flight.
By combining an extensive music library with a respected news source, Virgin America aims to meet both entertainment and informational needs in a single offering. The move also aligns with passenger expectations for continuous connectivity and access to familiar digital platforms, whether for work or leisure. As inflight WiFi quality improves, airlines are increasingly able to partner with leading content providers to deliver experiences that mirror those available on the ground.
Passengers interested in using these services should ensure their devices are WiFi-enabled and connected to the onboard ViaSat network during the promotion period. The addition of Spotify and The New York Times complements Virgin America’s existing entertainment portfolio and enhances the overall travel experience by providing options tailored to individual preferences.