How to Download Movies and Series for Offline Viewing on a Flight
Prepare for a flight or a trip without internet: how offline downloads work on streaming and music apps, the limits to know about, and a pre-travel checklist.
Flights, trains and holiday rentals often have slow or expensive internet. Most streaming and music subscriptions let you download content to watch or listen offline, but each app has its own limits. A little preparation the day before you leave makes the difference between a relaxing journey and an empty screen.
Which subscriptions allow downloads
Most major streaming and music services include downloads on their paid plans, including many film and series platforms and music apps such as Spotify Premium. Some lower-priced plans, especially plans with ads, limit or remove downloads. Check your plan's details in the app before you travel.
The limits to know about
Downloads are licensed, not owned, so services set rules. Common ones include:
- A maximum number of downloads per account or per device at one time.
- A limited number of devices that can hold downloads.
- Expiry dates. Some downloads expire after a number of days, and some expire within a set time after you first press play.
- Regular online check-ins. Many apps need to connect to the internet every few weeks to keep downloads valid.
- Titles that cannot be downloaded because of licensing.
The exact numbers differ between services and change over time, so look at the app's help section for your plan.
Step-by-step: before you leave
- Update the apps while you are on home Wi-Fi.
- Free up storage. A film in high quality can use one to several gigabytes; check how much space you have.
- Choose the download quality in the app settings. "Standard" saves space; "High" looks better on a laptop or tablet.
- Download over Wi-Fi, not mobile data, unless you have plenty of data.
- Open one download in airplane mode to confirm it plays without a connection.
- Download a little more than you need, in case a title expires or a child changes their mind.
- Download music playlists and podcasts too, and enable offline mode in your music app.
On the day
- Keep the apps signed in. Signing out often removes downloads.
- Charge your devices fully and bring a power bank and headphones (with an adapter if your phone has no headphone jack and the plane uses wired audio).
- Avoid opening a download "just to check" before departure if the service starts an expiry timer when you press play.
During a long trip
- When you reach Wi-Fi, open each app once so it can renew download licences.
- Delete what you have watched to make room for new downloads.
Protect your account on the road
Hotel and airport Wi-Fi is fine for downloading new episodes, but use a VPN on networks you do not control. Our public Wi-Fi checklist covers the essentials.
A quick packing list
- Apps updated and signed in
- Downloads tested in airplane mode
- Music and podcasts saved offline
- Headphones and adapter
- Charger and power bank
Looking for a subscription with offline downloads? Browse our streaming services or Spotify Premium, and ask us in the chat which plan fits your travel plans.