I’ve been using wireless Bluetooth headphones on planes on literally every flight for a few years now, and I’ve never had any issues. I always thought that they might be banned, but to be honest, I didn’t care too much. I mean, the worst thing that could happen is a flight attendant would tell me to turn them off.
I also bring regular wired earbuds with me, just in case the battery runs out, but I almost never use them, because my Bluetooth headphones offer much deeper sound, and they’re better at canceling noise. I’m sure a lot of people can relate.
In this article, we’ll cover these topics:
- Are Bluetooth headphones allowed on planes;
- What are the rules for different airline regulators and the most popular airlines;
- Do Bluetooth headphones work with devices in airline mode;
- How to connect wireless headphones to the in-flight entertainment system to watch movies;
- Tell you which are the best noise-canceling headphones for airplanes.
Can You Use Wireless Bluetooth Headphones on a Plane?
The short answer is yes. You can use Bluetooth headphones on most flights.
Bluetooth headphones are considered a short-range Bluetooth device, similar to Bluetooth keyboards. The aircraft interference from short-term Bluetooth devices is minimal, so most of the times, they’re allowed.
That said, some airline regulators and airlines don’t allow using any Bluetooth devices on flights. For instance, you won’t be able to use Bluetooth headphones on some Canadian flights. And while some airlines allow using Bluetooth headphones during the takeoff and landing, some will ask you to switch them off.
But in general, my advice would be to just take them anyway and pack a pair of wired earbuds just in case. Worst case scenario – the flight attendant will ask you to switch off your Bluetooth headphones. You won’t get into any trouble. Just be respectful and turn them off if anyone asks you to, instead of arguing.
Which Airlines Allow Using Bluetooth Headphones on Planes?
The final decision for using Bluetooth headphones on flights is based on which airline you’re flying with. Here, I’ll quickly cover the most popular airlines.
American Airlines
Bluetooth headphones are allowed, but not during the takeoff and landing.
Delta
Bluetooth headphones are allowed, but not during the takeoff and landing.
United Airlines
Bluetooth headphones are allowed during the whole flight.
Southwest airlines
Bluetooth headphones are allowed, but not during the takeoff and landing.
JetBlue
Bluetooth headphones are allowed during the whole flight.
Alaska Airlines
Bluetooth headphones are allowed during the whole flight.
Spirit Airlines
Bluetooth headphones are allowed during the whole flight.
Air Canada
Bluetooth headphones are allowed during the whole flight, but only on their flights that offer Wi-Fi services. On some older aircraft, you won’t be allowed to use them.
Lufthansa
Bluetooth headphones are allowed during the whole flight.
Air France
Bluetooth headphones are allowed during the whole flight.
Ryanair
Bluetooth headphones are allowed during the whole flight.
British Airways
Bluetooth headphones are allowed, but not during the takeoff and landing.
What Do Different Airline Regulators Say About Using Bluetooth Headphones?
Airline regulators each cover a different region, which is why it’s important to understand their rules when flying internationally.
For instance, on a flight to China, you’ll be allowed to use Bluetooth headphones during the largest part of the flight, but you’ll be asked to switch them off when you enter China, where Bluetooth devices aren’t allowed on planes.
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
The FAA controls the U.S. airspace, which means that the following rules apply to all flights operating within the U.S.
In 2013, the FAA made some positive changes in electronic device usage during flights. Short-range Bluetooth devices, such as wireless keyboards and Bluetooth headphones can be used during the whole flight, including takeoff and landing. The only thing that’s restricted, is that devices that use a cellular connection (mobile phones, smartwatches, laptops) must be in airplane mode at all times.
Yet, some airlines don’t follow these guidelines and don’t allow using Bluetooth headphones during the takeoff and landing.
TCCA (Transport Canada Civil Aviation)
Transport Canada says that transmitting electronic devices shouldn’t be used on airplanes, but some are okay to use. They haven’t specifically mentioned Bluetooth devices, and they say that the final decision rests with the specific airline. So if you’re flying within Canada, you should check with the airline you’ll be flying with.
IATA (International Air Transport Association)
IATA, which basically governs the rest of the world (82% of total air traffic,) hasn’t mentioned Bluetooth headphones specifically. However, IATA prohibits Bluetooth usage during critical stages of the flight, such as takeoff and landing, which means that you shouldn’t use Bluetooth headphones during the critical stages of the flight.
Read Next: How to Pack Electronics for Travel: Here’s Everything You Need to Know
Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones with In-Flight Entertainment to Watch Movies?
On longer flights, airlines offer in-flight entertainment services, where you can watch the latest movies through the built-in screen in the front seat. I don’t go to the cinema that often, so I usually use this chance to watch the latest movies that aren’t available on Netflix.
But unfortunately, the built-in entertainment systems usually are quite outdated, and you can’t connect them to your Bluetooth headphones. Most of them still use the two-pin AUX input, which means that you’re stuck with the headphones provided by the airline. However, you’ll be happy to know there is a hack for this.
If you purchase the TaoTronics Bluetooth Transmitter/Receiver, you can connect your Bluetooth headphones to airplane entertainment systems that still use the two-pin input. This kit comes with a two-pin to 3.5mm converter, which means that you can plug in the device in transmitter mode, which lets you connect your Bluetooth headphones. And what’s even better – you can connect multiple Bluetooth headphones to a single transmitter, which means that multiple people can watch the same movie on different headphones!
Some airlines, such as American Airlines, offer entertainment apps, which you can download on your device and use through the airplane’s Wi-Fi. If you download this app, you’ll be able to use your Bluetooth headphones without any tech-savvy hacks. But unfortunately, only some airlines offer this, which is why most of the times, you’ll have to use Bluetooth transmitters to connect your Bluetooth headphones.
Do Bluetooth Headphones Work with Phones on Airplane Mode?
Bluetooth is considered a transmitting signal, which is why some devices switch off Bluetooth as soon as you press “Airplane mode.” That’s why a lot of people think that Bluetooth headphones won’t work while the phone is in Airplane mode. But most of the times, you’ll be able to switch Bluetooth back on by clicking the Bluetooth icon once again.
Here’s how you do that:
iOS (Apple Devices)
On Apple devices, turning the Airplane mode on won’t switch off Bluetooth. It used to be a problem a while ago, but with the introduction of Apple Airpods, they changed that.
Android
On Android devices (Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, LG, Google, OnePlus,) switching the Airplane mode on will turn off Bluetooth. You can enable it once again opening up the phone settings, and switching Bluetooth back on (Click on the gray Bluetooth icon, so that it turns blue once again.) This will enable Bluetooth once again, and the airplane mode will still be turned on.
Read Next: Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with Laptops and PC’s
Which Are the Best Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones for Travel?
Noise-canceling headphones really work miracles on planes. Not only will you be able to listen to movies and music on a much deeper level, but they’re also great for sleeping on planes. I usually turn up some relaxing background noises in my noise-canceling headphones and start to fall asleep almost immediately. Without them, I have trouble sleeping, especially if I’m sitting close to children.
Almost everyone agrees that either Sony or Bose makes the best noise-canceling headphones. There are two popular models in particular, that get featured almost everywhere as the best possible choices, so I’ll show you both of them. Although they’re really expensive, they’re well worth the price.
1. Sony WH1000XM3 Bluetooth Noise-Canceling Headphones
These sony headphones are one of the most popular high-end headphones on the market. Although they’re priced pretty high, they’re packed with all the latest features.
The built-in sony chip makes these headphones quite intelligent. Without the chip, you basically wouldn’t hear anything, as the sound isolation is very impressive. The chip passes through all the important ambient noises, such as announcements and conversations.
One the side, these headphones have built-in touch support. For instance, if you’re listening to music, and suddenly need to stop and talk to someone, just move your hand over the touch panel, and the music will stop, and you’ll start to hear everything without taking the headphones off. They also come with built-in Alexa support.
They’re also very convenient for traveling. They come with an audio cable and a two-pin adapter for the older airplane entertainment systems. You can also fold them up and store them in an organized bag, that also holds the charger, audio jack, and the adapter. They’ll last 30-hours of use, and they also come with quick charge, which charges 5 hours of juice in just 10 minutes.
To purchase: Amazon
2. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Noise-Canceling Bluetooth Headphones
Bose noise-canceling headphones were the market leaders just a few years ago. But now Sony has stepped up their game, and a lot of people now agree, that the Sony WH1000XM3 headphones are slightly better compared to the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. That said, the Bose series 2 headphones are still very decent, which is why they’re still recommended as one of the best high-end choices out there.
They come with built-in Alexa support, and very impressive noise-canceling hardware. Instead of having a touch control system that comes with Sony, the Bose headphones are controlled with buttons or voice. Overall, they’re very comfortable and slightly lighter than the Sony WH1000XM3 headphones.
They come with a 20-hour battery, but many people said that they’ll actually last longer, closer to 25 hours. The Bose headphones are also foldable and come with a nice case that’s great for traveling. You’ll also find an audio wire in the case, but unfortunately, there aren’t any two-pin adapters included, which means that you won’t be able to connect to older airplane entertainment systems.
Personally, I prefer the Sony WH1000XM3 headphones over Bose QuietComfort 35 II. But it doesn’t really matter which ones you get, because both of them are damn-near perfect for traveling on airplanes.
To purchase: Amazon
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