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Will Spotify Work on a Plane? Your Ultimate Guide

  • 18 December 2024
  • 7 mins read

Table of Content

Table of Contents

Have a long flight to catch? The best way to pass the time is to listen to your favorite music or podcasts. But you may be wondering if Spotify can work without internet connectivity. You can access your downloaded playlists while in airplane mode by following a few easy steps. 

This guide covers a step-by-step guide to help you listen to Spotify frequently on long flights.  

Does Spotify Work on a Plane?

The short answer is yes. Having offline access is crucial since in-flight internet is unstable and sometimes unavailable. Although airlines like Emirates or Delta offer in-flight WiFi, you can’t rely on them for internet access during long flights. 

Spotify Premium subscribers can easily switch to offline mode and download playlists, podcasts, or music before traveling. Since Spotify's offline capabilities are only available to Premium users, you must consider other choices if you are a free user.

Steps to Use Spotify Offline During a Flight

1. Subscribe to Spotify Premium

To access Spotify's offline mode, you must have a Premium membership:

  • Price: Starts at $9.99/month (or regional equivalent).
  • Benefits: limitless downloads, offline mode, and ad-free listening.

Only Premium users can download music or playlists for offline listening, which is necessary for in-flight entertainment.

2. Download Content Before Your Flight

Downloading your favorite songs beforehand is the most important way to ensure Spotify works on a plane. Here's how:

  1. Open Spotify: Ensure a stable internet connection before downloading content.
  2. Select Music or Podcasts: Go to the desired podcast episode, album, or playlist.
  1. Download: Tap the "Download" button when a downward arrow appears. Wait for the content to be stored on your device to complete.
  1. Verify Downloads: To be sure you have everything you need, go to Your Library > Downloads. 

Pro Tip: To fit your mood while flying, download a mix of country music and soothing songs. 

3. Enable Offline Mode

Turn on the offline mode to prevent Spotify from streaming content while you're flying.

  • In the Spotify app, select Settings.
  • Toggle Offline Mode under Playback.

What If I Don’t Have Spotify Premium?

Don't worry, and there are still methods to listen to music while taking flight if you're a free user: 

  1. Download Podcasts: Free users can download certain podcasts directly from Spotify.
  2. Try a Free Trial: Take advantage of Spotify Premium's free trial before your vacation. After the trial period, if necessary, cancel and download all your selected stuff.
  3. Third-Party Converters: Spotify tracks can be converted into downloadable files using tools like AudFree and TuneFab. But ensure these tools are used in compliance with copyright laws of your region. 

Does Spotify Work with In-Flight Wi-Fi?

Many airlines now offer in-flight WiFi; however, it can be pricey and slow. Although you can stream poor-quality music, buffering annoys the listening experience. For a hassle-free experience, always rely on downloaded entertainment rather than in-flight streaming.

Tips for an Uninterrupted In-Flight Spotify Experience

Prepare and adjust your device's settings in advance to ensure a flawless in-flight music experience. To ensure that Spotify works smoothly when you're flying, follow these tips:

Get noise-canceling headphones  complete listening experience for fans of well-known artists. It also provides better value with its monthly pricing plans. Spotify’s premium subscriptions offer more flexibility, and the platform gives you more options for customizing your playlists.

  • Create playlists tailored to your trip
  • Optimize storage 
  • Charge your mobile devices or tablets

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More to explore in Spotify

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Can I use Spotify without WiFi?

    Plus

    Spotify can be used without WiFi, mostly with a Premium membership. While free users can download podcasts, premium customers can listen to up to 10,000 songs offline.

  • Will Spotify work in Airplane mode?

    Plus

    Spotify Premium users may download music offline using Airplane Mode. Free users can only access Airplane Mode with an internet connection unless they employ a third-party audio downloader to convert and save tracks.

  • What happens if I forget to download songs?

    Plus

    You can't use Spotify in airplane mode if you don't have any downloaded content. The only other option is to use the in-flight Wi-Fi, which is either costly or unstable.

  • How much storage does Spotify offline mode use?

    Plus

    The quantity of music or podcasts you download affects the required amount of storage. You can control storage by changing your download settings because higher-quality music takes up more storage.

In Conclusion!

Flying doesn’t have to be boring. By following these steps, you can enjoy uninterrupted music or podcasts during your journey. Prepare your playlists, bring your headphones, and use Spotify to enhance the enjoyment and relaxation of your flight. Happy listening, and safe travels!