In the United States, as long as you are legally able to be where you are positioned — and the act you're recording is public and plainly visible from your vantage point — you've got the right to record it.

In 2026, there is no universal international law that prohibits filming on a plane, but it is strictly governed by airline policy and local civil aviation authorities. In the U.S., the FAA allows filming for personal use, but almost all airlines (like Delta, United, and American) have "Conditions of Carriage" that prohibit filming or photographing airline personnel or other passengers without their explicit consent. Violating these policies can lead to being offloaded from the flight or banned from the airline. In some countries, such as India, the DGCA recently clarified that "bona fide" passengers can take photos and videos, provided they do not compromise safety or record in restricted areas like the cockpit. Generally, filming your own experience or the view out of the window is perfectly legal. However, using professional equipment like tripods or recording the safety briefing and crew members performing their duties can be treated as a security violation, which can lead to legal intervention upon landing.