Can You Use AirPods on a Plane?

Yes, you can use AirPods and other Bluetooth wireless headphones during flights on airplanes. However, you need to switch your devices to Airplane Mode which disables cellular data but keeps Bluetooth active.

While you can‘t use AirPods for phone calls in-flight, even over WiFi, you can use them for music, podcasts, movies and other entertainment streamed from your device. Some airlines even offer Bluetooth connectivity for their in-flight entertainment.

So read on below for a detailed guide on using AirPods in the air from a true headphone enthusiast. I‘ll cover the technology, airline rules, noise-cancelling advantages, and even tips to maximize your listening experience on your next flight!

How AirPods Work on Planes

You may be wondering – how do little wireless earbuds actually function at 35,000 feet in a metal tube?

It all comes down to the Bluetooth technology integrated into AirPods by Apple.

Bluetooth uses radio waves to transmit data over short distances between devices, unlike WiFi which relies on wireless router connections.

The Bluetooth signal is direct between the AirPods and your smartphone, tablet, or laptop – no internet required. This allows AirPods to work anywhere in typical Bluetooth range of up to 30 feet, including in airplane cabins.

According to Bluetooth specifications, you can expect robust functionality up to 10,000 feet and reduced performance from 10,000 to 25,000 feet. But most commercial flights cruise at under 30,000 feet where Bluetooth reliability is still acceptable.

By turning on your device‘s Airplane Mode and leaving Bluetooth active, you create a private connection between gadgets. This allows you to use AirPods to access any media or entertainment already on your device during the flight.

FAA Rules on Electronics and Bluetooth Devices

Since electronics can theoretically interfere with critical airplane systems, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates their in-flight use.

Here are the key takeaways for AirPods and other wireless headphones from current FAA rules according to their website:

• All electronics must be switched to Airplane Mode or have cellular service disabled during takeoff/landing.

• Short-range Bluetooth accessories like headphones and speakers are allowed at all times.

• Voice calls via cell phones are prohibited while in flight.

So AirPods are perfectly fine to use in the air as long as they are not being used for phone calls.

These FAA policies apply to all US airlines. International airlines regulations closely match the FAA guidelines in most countries.

Always check with your individual airline to confirm their latest rules on AirPods and other wireless headset use during flights.

Current Airline Support for Bluetooth Headphones

While the FAA may allow it, specific airlines also need compatibility to use AirPods for in-flight entertainment.

Let‘s look at major US airline‘s support status:

Data Source: The Points Guy

As you can see, Delta and United have fully implemented Bluetooth for their seat-back screens. American is rolling it out to new planes. Budget airlines like Southwest have yet to add support.

For airlines without Bluetooth, you will need a wireless adapter like Twelve South‘s AirFly to use AirPods with the in-flight entertainment system.

The AirFly plugs into the headphone jack and transmits audio wirelessly over Bluetooth to your headphones. This little gadget can make any flight more enjoyable.

Why Audiophiles Prefer Wireless Earbuds on Planes

As a headphone enthusiast, I fully endorse using wireless earbuds like AirPods on airplanes for many reasons. Here are some of the key benefits:

No tangled wires – Flying cramped in a tiny seat makes wired headphones a mess. Bluetooth earbuds completely avoid this issue.

Comfort – Multi-hour flights become more comfortable when you eliminate bulky over-ear headphones or earbuds with dangling cords. The minimalist AirPods design is perfect for travel.

Noise isolation – In-ear buds like AirPods provide passive noise isolation by sealing out ambient sounds around 25 decibels. This greatly reduces airplane engine drone.

Noise cancellation – AirPods Pro take it a step further with active noise cancellation up to 45 decibels. This uses microphones and anti-noise to block out external disturbances.

Portability – Wireless earbuds slip easily into your pocket or bag without worry of damage from friction on wires. The compact charging case is airline friendly.

Hygiene – Shared airline headphones can be germ-ridden. Bringing your own set keeps things clean. The lack of foam tips on AirPods reduces moisture buildup.

Battery life – AirPods get up to 5 hours of listening per charge. The charging case provides an additional 24+ hours of power. Enough for even transcontinental flights.

Audio sharing – AirPods make it easy to share audio from movies or music by pairing a second set of AirPods to your device. Great for kids.

So while you can use any wireless headphones, as an expert I highly recommend noise-isolating earbuds with wireless convenience for the optimal in-flight listening experience.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones – How Do They Work?

Noise-cancelling capabilities like those found in the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max make these wireless headphones especially well-suited for airplane use. Let‘s explore the engineering behind this impressive audio technology.

Passive Noise Cancellation

This method relies on the physical design of the earbud and headphone to prevent outside noise from reaching your eardrum. Tight sealing ear tips block noise similar to ear plugs. Padding around over-ear cups provides isolation as well.

Passive systems reduce ambient noise 15 to 30 decibels. This masks a considerable portion of background sounds, but loud environments like planes still leak in.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)

Active systems use tiny microphones to listen to incoming sound waves and generate an inverse mirrored signal. This anti-noise wave destructively interferes with and cancels out the original noise.

Sophisticated electronics and algorithms filter out desired audio like music while eliminating ambient noise. ANC can attenuate up to 45 decibels, making planes sound half as loud.

According to Robert Apfel, Ph.D, Head Acoustics Engineer at Bose:

"Active noise reduction headphones create silence in an environment that‘s too noisy for passive headphones to work well…it‘s ideal for airplanes."

ANC requires more battery power. But that tradeoff is worthwhile on airplanes to hear music clearly and reduce fatigue.

Recommended Headphones for Flying

As an audiophile, here are my top picks for the best headphones to use on airplanes based on sound, comfort, and value:

Best Wireless Earbuds

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds – The gold standard for noise cancellation earbuds. Also excellent audio fidelity.

Apple AirPods Pro – Great active noise cancellation plus seamless iOS integration.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro – Solid well-rounded option for Android users. Good call quality.

Jabra Elite 7 Active – Rugged design with strong ANC and waterproofing for active lifestyles.

Best Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 45 – Near-perfect balance of comfort, noise cancellation, and natural sound.

Apple AirPods Max – Premium design with roomy ear cups and spatial audio support.

Sony WH-1000XM5 – Superb ANC technology with cutting-edge sound processing for crisp audio.

Anker Soundcore Life Q35 – Budget pick with impressive noise cancellation at a fraction of the cost.

Best Wired Earbuds

Shure SE215 – Durable build with over-ear fit for excellent noise isolation. Warm natural sound.

1More Triple Driver – Nicely balanced sound with great clarity and deep bass. Comfortable fit.

RHA MA750 – Aerospace aluminum housing withstands crushing forces. Bold and clear audio.

Best Wired Over-Ear Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 25 – Lightweight with paramount noise reduction for the price. Used by many pilots.

Sennheiser HD 600 – Open-back reference headphones offer expansive soundstage. Not noise isolating.

Audio-Technica M50x – Highly versatile closed-back studio headphones with excellent isolation.

For even more options, see my complete guide to the best headphones for flying.

7 Tips for Using AirPods on Planes

Here are my top tips for making the most of your AirPods or other wireless headphones on your next flight:

1. Fully charge them – Long flights will drain even the best batteries so start at 100%. Bring an external battery pack as backup.

2. Bring wired backups – Pack wired headphones too in case Bluetooth acts up or batteries die.

3. Download media – Fill your devices with offline music, movies, books to access sans internet. Streaming eats up more battery.

4. Use noise cancelling – Leverage the noise reduction capabilities of ANC models like AirPods Pro. It makes a huge difference in flight.

5. Disable touch controls – Lock buttons to avoid accidental touches which drain battery. Do this under Bluetooth settings.

6. Try Comply foam tips – Aftermarket ear tips like Comply provide a tighter seal for improved noise isolation andsecure fit.

7. Employ strategies to avoid ear pain – Chew gum, swallow, yawn, or use filtered earplugs to pressurize inner ears upon takeoff/landing to avoid pain.

Now you can relax and enjoy your music or movies. Just don‘t forget to temporarily disable noise cancellation during important announcements!

AirPods Alternatives for Android Users

Apple AirPods work best with other Apple devices. But what if you use an Android phone?

Don‘t worry, there are plenty of great wireless earbuds designed specifically for Android.

Here are my picks for the top AirPod alternatives for Android devices:

• Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 – Feature easy pairing, spacious sound and wireless charging. Seamless with Galaxy phones.

• Google Pixel Buds A-Series – Get hands-free Google Assistant with adaptive sound. Sweat and water resistant.

• Sony WF-1000XM4 – Some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds available with deep bass.

• JBL Live 300TWS – Solid noise isolation with 20 hours battery life. Powerful punchy sound.

• Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 – Great budget choice with 32 hour battery life.

So Android users have excellent true wireless options tailored to their devices, many costing much less than premium AirPods.

Common AirPod Questions from Flyers

Let‘s recap answers to some frequently asked questions about using AirPods and other wireless headphones when flying on airplanes:

Are AirPods allowed on international flights?

Yes, just like domestic travel you can use AirPods and other Bluetooth headphones on any international commercial flight. Just remember to follow the airline‘s electronics policy.

Can you use AirPods to make calls in flight?

Unfortunately no, all voice calls via cell network or WiFi are prohibited on commercial flights per FCC regulations.

Do AirPods prevent ears from popping during takeoff and landing?

They can distract from it, but no earbuds actually prevent the pressure changes that cause ear popping. Only solutions like chewing gum or yawning will equalize the pressure difference.

How do you keep AirPods charged on long flights?

To maximize battery life, keep AirPods in the charging case when not in use. Bring a portable external battery to recharge the case multiple times. Turn on AirPods only when needed. And start the flight fully charged.

Do noise-cancelling AirPods work better on planes?

Absolutely yes. Active noise-cancelling using anti-noise technology is extremely effective at reducing the loud ambient noise on airplanes. Models like AirPods Pro block up to 45 decibels, making flights much quieter.

Can you use AirPods on a plane without WiFi or internet?

Yes! Since Bluetooth provides direct device-to-device connections without internet, you can listen to any media downloaded right on your phone or laptop. Streaming does require WiFi access however.

Summary – Use AirPods Confidently on Your Next Flight!

I hope this detailed guide gave you a comprehensive overview on using AirPods and other wireless headphones when flying.

The key points to remember are:

• AirPods work on airplanes as long as devices are in Airplane mode with Bluetooth on
• Great for music, podcasts, movies but not voice calls
• Airlines now support Bluetooth but may require an adapter for in-flight entertainment
• For best noise reduction, choose noise-cancelling wireless earbuds like AirPods Pro
• Carry backup wired headphones in case of any issues
• Start flights fully charged and leverage external battery packs for more power

With the wireless freedom of Bluetooth earbuds, you can transform any flight into an enjoyable personalized listening experience. Just sit back, relax to your favorite playlists, and let the miles pass by smoothly.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to provide recommendations from my many years as an avid headphone enthusiast.

Safe travels and happy listening!