Last Updated: February 2026 | Reading Time: 4 minutes | Author: Amazing Miles Editorial Team
Air France recently announced a partnership with Apple TV to bring award-winning shows like Severance, Ted Lasso, Slow Horses, and Silo to passengers on long-haul flights. While this sounds like excellent news for entertainment-starved travelers, there’s a significant limitation that might leave you frustrated mid-flight.
What Air France Is Offering
Starting this month, Air France became the first European airline to provide access to Apple TV content on all long-haul flights. The shows are available in English and French, with subtitles and accessibility features for deaf and hard-of-hearing passengers. A dedicated Apple TV channel makes browsing straightforward.
The airline is also rolling out Starlink internet across its fleet, including short-haul and regional aircraft. This means passengers can access Apple TV content through their own devices when connected to the high-speed Wi-Fi. For those without an existing Apple TV subscription, Air France offers a complimentary one-week trial through a special portal on Starlink-enabled planes.
The Frustrating Catch
Here’s where the partnership falls short of expectations. Air France limits access to only the first three episodes of each show. In total, passengers will find approximately 45 Apple TV episodes available on any flight, with the selection rotating every two months.
This means if you discover a compelling new series or want to catch up on a show you’ve been meaning to watch, you’ll hit a wall after three episodes. No matter how long your flight is, you won’t be able to binge an entire season.
How This Compares to United Airlines
United Airlines launched a more comprehensive Apple TV partnership earlier, becoming the first carrier worldwide to offer complete first seasons of major shows. The differences are notable:
- United provides 250 episodes of television shows, feature documentaries, and films
- Content is available on seatback screens for both short-haul and long-haul flights
- The selection is also accessible through United’s mobile app
- Full seasons allow passengers to genuinely binge-watch content
While Air France offers 45 hours of content, United’s library is significantly larger and more conducive to extended viewing on long international flights.
Why Airlines Limit Streaming Content
Storage constraints on older in-flight entertainment systems historically forced airlines to make difficult choices about content selection. However, the rise of streaming partnerships has introduced a different dynamic.
These collaborations often function as marketing tools for streaming services. By providing a limited preview of available content, airlines and streaming platforms hope passengers will become engaged enough to subscribe after their flight ends. It’s essentially a teaser strategy at cruising altitude.
The approach can backfire, though. Few experiences are more frustrating than becoming invested in a show only to have it cut off mid-season with no way to continue watching until you’re back on the ground.
What This Means for Travelers
If you’re planning to fly Air France long-haul and counting on catching up with your favorite Apple TV shows, adjust your expectations accordingly. You might want to:
- Download full episodes to your device before departure if you have an Apple TV subscription
- Bring alternative entertainment for longer flights
- Use the three-episode preview as a way to discover new shows rather than finish existing ones
- Take advantage of the complimentary one-week trial to continue watching after your flight
The Starlink connectivity across Air France’s fleet is genuinely valuable, offering passengers the ability to stay connected with reliable, high-speed internet. However, the restricted Apple TV content library demonstrates that partnerships don’t always translate into comprehensive passenger benefits.
FAQ
Q: Can I finish watching a show I start on an Air France flight?
A: Not through the airline’s entertainment system. Air France limits access to the first three episodes of each show. However, you can take advantage of the complimentary one-week Apple TV trial to continue watching after your flight, or download content to your personal device before departure if you already subscribe.
Q: Is the Apple TV content available on all Air France flights?
A: Currently, the Apple TV partnership applies to all long-haul Air France flights. As the airline continues its Starlink rollout across short-haul and regional aircraft, the content should become more widely available through personal device streaming.
Q: How does Air France’s Apple TV offering compare to other airlines?
A: United Airlines offers a more extensive Apple TV library with complete first seasons and approximately 250 episodes total, available on both seatback screens and through its app. Air France’s offering is more limited with only 45 episodes available and just the first three episodes of each show.
Amazing Miles Verdict
Air France’s partnership with Apple TV represents a step forward in premium in-flight entertainment, but the execution leaves much to be desired. Limiting passengers to three episodes per show feels like a missed opportunity, particularly on ultra-long-haul flights where travelers have ample time to watch complete seasons. While the complimentary Starlink connectivity and one-week Apple TV trial add value, the restrictive content library places this partnership firmly in the “nice to have but not essential” category. Until airlines commit to providing complete seasons or substantially larger episode libraries, these streaming partnerships will continue to feel more like promotional vehicles than genuine passenger amenities. For now, download your entertainment before departure and consider Air France’s Apple TV selection a bonus rather than your primary viewing plan.
