United's new inflight entertainment takes off

United Airlines has updated its iOS mobile app so passengers can watch TV and movies on their phones or tablets during flights.

The Chicago-based airline’s new inflight entertainment system lets passengers watch more than 150 movies and nearly 200 TV shows for free. You’ll need the newest United iOS app, which was available Thursday. An update for the Android app is in the works and should be available later this year, a spokeswoman said. Laptops don’t need the app.

The new system, which uses wi-fi, is available on some flights now, and United says most jets on its domestic routes will be equipped by the end of 2014.

Lufthansa and Virgin Australia already offer similar programs for tablets, and Hawaiian Airlines offers passengers an iPad mini on some flights, albeit at a fee, The Verge writes.

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