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Where you can catch your favorite Christmas movies in the air

Caroline Tanner
Caroline Tanner
News reporter
A classically trained journalist, Caroline Tanner covers news and travel for TPG. She is a dual-journalism graduate of Mizzou and Northwestern.
Dec. 20, 2021
•
4 min read
Rear View Of People Sitting In Airplane
Where you can catch your favorite Christmas movies in the air
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One of the absolute best things about the holidays for me is the Christmas movies. From "The Holiday" (my personal favorite) to "Love Actually" (overrated — not a hot take, I know), holiday-themed content will undoubtedly occupy hours upon hours of my time leading up to Christmas this year.

For those of us traveling home or elsewhere for the holidays, don't fret: Your holiday movie and TV consumption won't need to be interrupted, as airlines are offering a variety of holiday films to choose from — all from the comfort of your airplane seat.

Holiday movies on American Airlines. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

A number of airlines — including American, Alaska, JetBlue, United and Southwest — shared their 2021 holiday entertainment lineups with TPG. Here's a taste of what titles you may find on your flight:

  • "A Christmas Carol"
  • "A Christmas Story"
  • "A Christmas Tree Grows in Colorado" (Hallmark)
  • "Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Nights"
  • "A Dennis the Menace Christmas"
  • "An American Tail"
  • "A Nashville Christmas Carol" (Hallmark)
  • "Black Nativity"
  • "Christmas in Belfast"
  • "Christmas in Connecticut"
  • "Christmas in Vienna" (Hallmark)
  • "Christmas Town" (Hallmark)
  • "Christmas Waltz" (Hallmark)
  • "Dear Santa" (new this year)
  • "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas"
  • "Elf"
  • "Four Christmases" ( I just watched this for the first time and would highly recommend it)
  • "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" (controversial take: I've never seen these)
  • "Fred Claus"
  • "Frosty's Winter Wonderland" (classic TV movie)
  • "Home Alone" and "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York"
  • "It's a Wonderful Life"
  • "Jack Frost"
  • "Last Christmas"
Holiday movies on American Airlines. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)
  • "Little Fockers"
  • "Love Actually" (as I said — meh)
  • "Love, Lights, Hanukkah!" (Hallmark)
  • "Meet Me in St. Louis"
  • "Miracle on 34th Street"
  • "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
  • "Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July" (a classic TV movie)
  • "Scrooged"
  • "The Best Man Holiday"
  • "The Christmas House" (Hallmark)
  • "The Family Stone" (does anyone else think Dermot Mulroney is so dreamy?)
  • "The Grinch"
  • "The Holiday" (chef's kiss)
  • "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
  • "The Night Before"
  • "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms"
  • "The Polar Express"
  • "The Preacher's Wife"
  • "The Santa Clause"
  • "The Shop Around the Corner"
  • "The Year Without a Santa Claus" (another classic TV movie)
  • "Too Close for Christmas"
  • "When Harry Met Sally" (appropriate year-round, IMHO)
  • "White Christmas"
Holiday movies on American Airlines. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Related: Finally reunited: How 100,000 Southwest points are taking me home for the holidays

Beyond those movies, airlines are offering holiday-themed TV episodes, including:

  • "Chopped" Season 44, Episode 4: "Holiday Sweethearts"
  • "Christmas Cookie Challenge" Season 4, Episode 1: "Christmas Games and Music"
  • "Christmas in New York: Inside the Plaza"
  • "Gavin and Stacey: Christmas Special"
  • "Giada's Holiday Handbook" Season 5, Episode 6: "Italian Christmas Brunch"
  • "Girl Meets Farm" Season 6, Episode 11: "Chinese Food Christmas"
  • "Holiday Baking Championship" Season 7, Episode 3: "Holiday Goodie Games"
  • "Holiday Wars" Season 2, Episode 1: "Surprise Holiday Parade"
  • Episodes from "The Office," "Friends," "King of the Hill," "Bob's Burgers," "Modern Family," "Biggest Little Christmas Showdown," "Buddy vs. Christmas," "The Pioneer Woman," "Outrageous Holiday Houses" and more.

Delta flyers can expect a special treat thanks to the airline's partnership with Spotify. The airline's new "Holiday Mixtape" playlist features a variety of Christmas classics, including:

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  • "Christmas Is" (featuring Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus​, a dynamic duo)
  • "Hallelujah" (Carrie Underwood)​
  • "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" (by everyone's favorite, Michael Bublé)
  • "Jingle Bell Rock" (Bobby Helms)
  • "Last Christmas" (Taylor Swift​)
  • "Santa Tell Me" (Ariana Grande​)
  • "Sleigh Ride" (The Carpenters)​
  • "The Chanukah Song" (Adam Sandler​)
  • "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" (Weezer)
  • "Where Are You Christmas" (Faith Hill​)
Holiday movies on American Airlines. (Photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy)

Southwest fliers can expect to see Abominable,' 'Elf,' 'National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation' and 'The Best Man Holiday,' some of which were selected by SWA crews to be added to the Inflight Entertainment Portal.

And who knows, maybe next year we'll see a joint project from United and Hallmark.

Related: 10 tips to best protect your holiday flights from getting derailed

Featured image by Getty Images/EyeEm
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • 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.
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  • $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.
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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 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

    $325

  • Recommended 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.

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.