iPad Air issue

The one-year AppleTV+ is a one-time offer applied to your AppleID account. 

Whilst the offer is linked to the purchase of a qualifying device, ultimate eligibility is determined by your AppleID. If you have never previously had an AppleTV+ subscription, purchase of a qualifying device provides an opportunity to try the AppleTV+ subscription service, free, for a year; the offer must be redeemed within 90-days of initial activation of the qualifying device.

If you have at any time previously had an AppleTV+ subscription, under terms of the offer (see the small-print), you’ll not be eligible for this offer. Cancelling a current AppleTV+ subscription will not reset your eligibility.

You can check eligibility for the free one year trial, from your new iPad, by accessing this page:

Apple TV+ - Apple (UK)

Click the Check Eligibility link.

I hope this clarification is helpful to you.

You will likely need to access the weblink from your new (qualifying) device - to verify your eligibility for the offer. Aside from the linked page, if you are eligible, you’ll have an activation link visible in the device Settings of the qualifying device.

The AppleTV App will not show eligibility for the free trial.

If you are not eligible, it follows that you’ll not have an activation link for the free one year in Settings.

Eligibility requires (a) purchase of a qualifying device, (b) in a country in which the AppleTV+ offer is available - and (c) an AppleID account that qualifies for the offer.