Airline Music Royalties 2026–2028

Summary#

Copyright Board published SOCAN Tariff 13.A – Public Conveyances - Aircraft (2026-2028) on May 30, 2026. It sets yearly per-seat royalties and reporting rules for recorded music played on aircraft for the years 2026 to 2028.

What it does#

• Sets royalties per aircraft seat:
  • $3.05 per seat for music played while the aircraft is on the ground (prorated by days the aircraft is in service).
  • $7.22 per seat for music that is part of in‑flight programming (prorated by days in service).
• If an operator pays the $7.22 in‑flight rate for an aircraft, they do not pay the $3.05 ground rate for that same aircraft.
• Defines when an aircraft is considered not “in service” (for example, any continuous period of 15 consecutive days or more when it is not used to carry passengers).
• Requires operators to estimate and pay annual royalties in advance and file an annual report by January 31 (including seating capacity and time out of service). Any under- or over-payments are adjusted then.
• Requires detailed quarterly reports (within 30 days after each quarter) about audio and audiovisual files played, including rich metadata when available (titles, authors, performers, ISRC, ISWC, GRID, UPC, running time, play counts, etc.).
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit operators’ records on reasonable notice.
• Interest on late payments is charged at 1% above the Bank Rate (calculated daily, not compounded).

Who's affected#

• Airline and aircraft operators who play recorded music or audiovisual programming for passengers.
• In-flight entertainment providers and companies that supply audio or audiovisual content to aircraft.
• Smaller charter operators and private carriers that offer music to passengers may also be affected.
• It is not clear from the notice whether certain kinds of flights or very small operators are excluded; the tariff applies to users who operate or own the aircraft and provide recorded music.

Why it matters#

• Operators must budget for a clear per-seat royalty cost ($3.05 or $7.22) for each aircraft in service, which can affect operating costs.
• The tariff adds administrative work: estimated payments, annual reconciliation, and detailed quarterly metadata reporting about what music and recordings are played.
• Providers should prepare to supply or collect technical identifiers (ISRC, ISWC, GRID, UPC, etc.) to meet reporting rules, or face more reporting work.
• Passengers won’t see immediate changes in what music can be played, but these costs and reporting requirements could influence carriers’ choices about in-flight entertainment or possibly fares over time.