How to Watch the NCAA Championship Basketball Game From an Airplane
Even if your team was sent home way too early in the tournament or your bracket is officially busted, chances are if you're an NCAA basketball tournament fan, tuning in for the Championship Game is on your to-do list.
The good news is that for those who find themselves 30,000 feet up in the air for tipoff, you'll most likely be able to catch the end of the March Madness action from the comfort of your own seat on the plane (depending on what product you're flying, of course). For those on the ground with a cable subscription, you can watch the game on television on CBS, on your computer by heading to the NCAA’s March Madness Live site and logging in with your subscriber info, or from your phone with the NCAA March Madness Live app for iPhone or Android users.
While Baylor already claimed victory over Notre Dame in the Women's Championship game on Sunday, to find out how you can watch Texas Tech take on Virginia in Monday night's NCAA Men's Basketball Championship game at 9:20pm on CBS, we reached out to the major US carriers for confirmation.
Here's what you need to know.
American
American Airlines confirmed to TPG that yes, "CBS is one of the 12 channels available on our domestic live TV network. Live TV is available on any of our aircraft equipped with satellite based Wi-Fi (Gogo 2KU and Viasat) and is available today on over 650 aircraft."
While making the passenger-unfriendly decision to remove inflight entertainment screens from its domestic aircraft, American Airlines has still been investing in IFE in other ways, from free streaming entertainment through Wi-Fi to live TV on over 820 aircraft.
To help you figure out what your options are, American Airlines launched an inflight entertainment site letting you search your flight details to see exactly which entertainment options will be on your aircraft.
Delta
TPG reached out to Delta to confirm passengers' options but did not hear back by time of publication. However, Delta's regional jets, which have Wi-Fi but lack seatback screens, offer free-to-all Delta Studio, allowing passengers to stream entertainment on their own devices. On bigger jets Delta offers both Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment. Delta Studio allows passengers to stream live TV from 18 channels.
Delta is working to install ever more seatback screens on its aircraft, and recently introduced a “wireless IFE” powered by Gogo Vision Touch on its Airbus A220s.
For more, read about the full line-up of what's on Delta's inflight entertainment for April.
JetBlue
JetBlue tells TPG that, “For sports fans flying on Monday night, JetBlue will be offering the NCAA Championship on CBS Sports via our always-free free inflight DirecTV. Additionally, customers can check the status of their brackets on JetBlue’s always-free gate to gate Fly Fi during the game, so they don’t miss a beat.”
In March, TPG reported that JetBlue is in the process of retrofitting its entire Airbus A320 fleet, adding high-definition touchscreen displays, on-demand entertainment and 100+ channels of DirecTV. Going forward, the airline’s new aircraft will offer similar seatback solutions, including A321neos and all incoming Airbus A220s.
Southwest
A spokesperson for Southwest confirmed to TPG that, "Customers will be able to tune-in to the Final Four as part of the NCAA March Madness tournament onboard their WiFi-enabled flight." With 80% of Southwest's fleet currently WiFi-equipped, chances are high that you'll end up on one of these flights. (You’ll still need to pay $8 per day for internet access if you want to stream the game from a device.)
Back in 2018, Southwest also started offering 100% free inflight entertainment. In particular, movies, messaging, live TV, on-demand TV episodes, music, destination guides and games are offered at no additional cost. But since Southwest planes don’t offer seatback screens or power, you’ll need to bring your own fully charged device. You’ll also need to download the Southwest app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store before your flight if you want to watch movies and select on-demand TV content.
United
United confirmed that customers traveling on the 211 aircraft it operates with free DirecTV (and seat back TV) will be able to watch March Madness free of charge.
Most United long-haul international aircraft do offer seatback IFE systems. All aircraft equipped with Wi-Fi (which, in this case, is any aircraft with more than 70 seats) will have at least one free entertainment option. Aircraft that previously only offered DirecTV now allow passengers to use a personal laptop or smart phone to access its library of free movies and TV shows. United has also been installing in-seat power outlets so that passengers can keep their devices charged while using them to stream the entertainment options.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.