Are you a music or podcast fan who can’t fly without your wireless Bluetooth headphones? It’s critical to know whether you can use them on the plane before packing them in your carry-on. It can be perplexing because different airlines have different rules.
Don’t be nervous. We’ll answer the question, “Can you use wireless Bluetooth headphones on a plane?” in this article. So sit back, relax, and let’s get started!
What Exactly Are Wireless Headphones?
Wireless headphones are a game changer in advanced technology.
They are headphones that connect to various devices without the use of a cable, such as your iPhone, computer, Xbox, or other electronic devices. Bluetooth is typically used for this.
They can, however, communicate via infrared and radio. Bluetooth is a common feature on the majority of today’s electronic devices due to its ability to seamlessly transmit data to other technological devices.
How Do Wireless Headphones Work?
Wireless headphones are the same as wired headphones, except they don’t have pesky wires. Low-powered radio signals are used for transmission. Wireless headphones require a transmitter to function.
Consider the headphone to be a radio signal transducer. It converts the output audio signal into a radio frequency, which is then broadcast over the air.
A radio receiver is built into your wireless headphones. The radio receiver converts the audio signals transmitted into sound, which we then listen to.
The latest Bluetooth version is quite amazing in that it allows for seamless pairing with other (same version) Bluetooth devices.
Why do you need to turn off your phone’s radios?
Before wireless communication became as common as it is today, there was concern that radios in cell phones would cause a slew of problems when used on flights. The concern was that wireless communications could interfere with an instrument-guided landing or even disrupt cockpit communications by adding noise to their conversations and transmissions if there was a problem with shielding or the fuselage. However, the United States Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) extensive review of potential equipment issues in the 1990s found little evidence of danger, so what gives?
The rules, believe it or not, have little to do with the airplane’s safety.
The commission’s recommendations are fairly straightforward and appear to revolve around the idea that, while it did not find compelling evidence to ban all personal electronic devices, it could not guarantee their safety indefinitely. As a result, it is up to the airlines to determine what their rules should be. Despite its frustration, the recommendation makes a lot of sense.
Read Also: Requirements to Be a Flight Attendant (Detailed Guide)
It may surprise you to learn that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the most stringent rules limiting wireless technology. When your phone is on the ground and moving slowly, it connects to the nearest tower (or the one with the strongest signal). It’s within radio sight, which is similar to a person’s line of sight, but it actually describes how an area’s topography and environment can obstruct and thus diminish signal strength rather than interrupt linear visibility. Towers are built-in locations that account for the natural features of a given region, avoiding dead zones and dropped calls—at least from the ground.
Because there are no hills, trees, or buildings to disrupt a radio tower’s signal at 30,000 feet, the number of towers “visible” to your phone increases dramatically. When you consider that airplanes travel at 300 miles per hour, your phone will begin attempting to connect to far more cell towers than usual, often all at once. If you try to make a call in this situation, you may inadvertently disrupt the network. Multiply that by the number of people on your flight who are also breaking the rules about phones and putting strain on the same exact towers—and keep in mind that there are roughly 25,000 domestic flights in the United States every day—and the FCC’s attempt to prevent airborne phones from causing network problems on the ground makes a lot more sense.
Is It Illegal to Have Your Radio on While Flying?
By the letter of the law, your cell radio must be turned off the moment the plane’s wheels leave the ground. Once in the air, you should be able to use airline-provided Wi-Fi to access air-to-ground services.
Cell phones installed in or carried aboard airplanes, balloons, or any other type of aircraft are not permitted to be used while the aircraft is in the air (not touching the ground). When an aircraft takes off from the ground, all cellular phones on board must be turned off.
Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones on a Plane: What Are the Rules?
Can you use Bluetooth headphones on a plane? In a nutshell, yes, but not always. That is determined by the policies of your airline. Bluetooth headphones and other wireless devices are permitted during all phases of flight, as long as they are in airplane mode, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
What Are the Airline Policies Regarding the Use of Bluetooth Headphones?
On most planes, you can use your trusted wireless Bluetooth headphones. Cottonbro studio’s photo on Pexels.
Certain airlines, however, prohibit the use of electronic devices, including Bluetooth headphones, in specific scenarios. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, for example, require passengers to wear headphones with cords during takeoff and landing. Others, such as Delta and United Airlines, allow wireless devices as long as they are in airplane mode.
As a result, using Bluetooth headphones to confirm the procedure is critical to avoid confusion and problems during your flight. To learn more about your airline’s policies, visit their website or call customer service.
Many airlines provide information about electronic devices and headphones on their websites, including whether Bluetooth headphones are permitted. If you can’t find the category indicating whether or not they can be used on planes, contact customer service or social media for assistance.
How Can You Use Wireless Bluetooth Headphones on Planes?
Using wireless Bluetooth headphones on planes can improve your in-flight entertainment experience, and here’s how to connect them to the system:
- Step 1: Make sure the Bluetooth function on your wireless headphones is turned on.
- Step 2: Put your headphones in pairing mode by pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds until the LED light flashes.
- Step 3: Navigate to the Bluetooth settings on the in-flight entertainment system. Look for available devices, and then choose your headphones from the list. The system should prompt you to enter a pairing code, which is usually found in the user manual for the headphones.
- Step 4: Once the headphones are connected, test the sound quality and volume to ensure they work properly.
After completing these steps, you should be able to connect your wireless Bluetooth headphones to the in-flight entertainment system and enjoy a more comfortable and immersive travel experience.
Some airlines provide streaming services via personal devices such as smartphones or tablets. In this case, you can use Bluetooth to connect your wireless headphones to your device and enjoy in-flight entertainment without the use of wires or cables.
Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones on a Plane: Do’s and Don’ts
Using wireless Bluetooth headphones on planes to listen to music or podcasts has become popular among passengers. However, not all airlines follow the same rules when it comes to their use.
So let’s learn about the dos and don’ts of using them during a flight.
Do: Confirm Airline Policy
Check your airline’s electronic device rules, including Bluetooth headphones, before your flight. Several airline websites specify whether wireless headphones are permitted and what restrictions apply.
Here are some of the policies that must be followed by the airline:
- Air Canada: Allows passengers to use wireless Bluetooth headphones in flight mode, but only after the plane reaches a height of 10,000 feet.
- American Airlines: Bluetooth headphones are permitted during one phase of the flight, which includes flying. They are inoperable during takeoff and landing.
- Delta Air Lines: Allows Bluetooth headphones to be used during all phases of flight as long as they are in airplane mode.
- United Airlines: Only after the plane reaches 10,000 feet in altitude does it accept wireless Bluetooth headphones in flight mode.
- Emirates: During all phases of flight, you can use your wireless Bluetooth headphones in airplane mode.
Do: Bring an Adapter
Wireless Bluetooth headphones require an adapter to connect to the two-pronged headphone jack on a plane.
The Twelve South AirFly adapter is a dependable option that is specifically designed for wireless headphones.
It is simple to use, has a long battery life, and includes a microphone for taking calls. It is an excellent travel companion that allows you to listen to music or watch a movie without interruptions during your flight.
Do: Be Conscious of Others
Maintaining a reasonable volume level demonstrates courtesy and consideration for other passengers.
You are not the only passenger on board. To be considerate of others, wear noise-canceling headphones and keep the volume low. Avoid having loud conversations while wearing headphones.
Don’t: Forget a Backup
Carry a set of corded headphones in case your wireless Bluetooth headphones aren’t authorized or run out of power. On many carriers, a backup set of wired headphones will allow you to enjoy entertainment during takeoff and landing.
Don’t: Use Bluetooth for Data Transfer
While the use of Bluetooth headphones is permitted in airplane mode, some airlines discourage the use of Bluetooth connections for data transfer. For example, Emirates advises against using Bluetooth to transfer data during flights. To transmit data, use a connected link or wait until you’re on the ground.
Don’t: Use Them During Safety Briefings
Passengers who use wireless headphones during these briefings may miss important safety announcements. Image courtesy of Freepik
Passengers must pay attention to safety briefings and flight crew instructions. As a result, remove your headphones and turn off any electronics during this time.
Which airlines permit the use of Bluetooth headphones?
Purchasing a good pair of noise-canceling headphones is a must, especially if you travel frequently and listen to music/watch movies while doing so.
But before you go out and buy a new pair of Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones, you should know which airlines allow you to use Bluetooth headphones inside their planes.
So let’s go over a few airlines and their policies on Bluetooth headphones.
British Airways
Bluetooth headphones are permitted, but not during takeoff and landing. Furthermore, Bluetooth headphones are incompatible with their in-flight entertainment systems, which is why they provide free headphones to use during your flight.
Emirates
Fortunately, Emirates planes’ entertainment systems support Bluetooth headphones. As a result, you can easily pair your headphones and watch movies with them. However, you must turn them off during takeoff and landing.
Lufthansa
Bluetooth headphones are permitted throughout the flight. However, not all of their planes will have in-flight entertainment systems that are compatible. It is best to ask about these before boarding each flight.
Ryanair
They allow Bluetooth headphones but no in-flight entertainment systems. They are a low-cost carrier, so don’t expect too much from them.
American Airlines
American Airlines will allow you to use your Bluetooth headphones while in flight, but only while in flight. They don’t have an entertainment system, but they do have an app. The American Airlines app gives you access to their free music, movies, and TV shows, but you must download and set up the app before your flight.
Delta Airlines
Bluetooth headphones are permitted, but only while the flight is in flight. Unfortunately, they are still updating the in-flight entertainment system, so you may have to use wired headphones such as the Sennheiser HD 569.
Southwest Airlines
Bluetooth headsets are permitted only during takeoff and landing. If you want to use the internet, you must pay $8 on flights that include Wi-Fi.
JetBlue
JetBlue allows the use of Bluetooth headsets during the entire flight, including takeoff and landing. Unfortunately, Bluetooth is not supported by their in-flight entertainment system.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is in the same boat as JetBlue. They are fairly tolerant of Bluetooth devices, but their in-flight entertainment systems do not support these wireless Bluetooth headsets.
Spirit Airlines
Allows Bluetooth headphones during the entire flight, but no in-flight entertainment systems are available. So it’s best to be prepared before booking a Spirit Airlines flight.
Will my Bluetooth headphones work with my smartphone while it is in airplane mode?
In theory, airplane mode should limit any wireless networks that transmit data, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.
When you enable “Airplane Mode,” the Bluetooth network is turned off by default, leading many users to believe that you cannot use Bluetooth while in airplane mode.
Fortunately, you can enable Bluetooth while in airplane mode; simply enable Bluetooth after you’ve enabled airplane mode.
You can easily accomplish this using the settings you always use. However, make sure you follow the correct procedure for turning off airplane mode first.
Can I charge my Bluetooth headphones while on the plane?
Depending on the airline and the flight, you may be able to charge your devices via a couple of USB ports. Unfortunately, most older planes do not have USB ports.
If you bring a laptop or a power bank, you can use these to charge your headphones. Unfortunately, as you are well aware, at a much slower rate.
Listed below are a few airlines and the power ports they provide.
American Airlines:
The majority of planes will have power outlets, but they may be DC outlets. In that case, you may require an adapter. American Airlines provides power outlets in all seats, but only in the Business and First classes. Power outlets will also be available in the main cabin, but only in certain rows. I recommend that you check with them ahead of time.
Delta Airlines:
Power outlets are available on several First-Class 737 and 757 planes. Power outlets are also available on all domestic 767-300 planes. All 737-700, 737-800, 757-200, 767-300, 767-400ER, and 777-200ER planes have USB ports in every seat. So, for the most part, you should be fine.
JetBlue:
JetBlue provides international compatible power outlets on each seat of the Airbus A321. As a result, you won’t need an adapter. They also include a USB port with each of these power ports. Furthermore, the JetBlue “Mint Experience” cabin provides passengers with two power outlets in each seat. This is ideal for your dual laptop setup.
These are just a few airlines, and we can see from them that our options are limited. So I recommend that you check ahead of time, bring a power bank, or charge your devices. You won’t have to worry about battery life if you have a good pair of headphones that have more than 12 hours of continuous listening time, which is another reason to go with headphones.
Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones With the In-Flight Entertainment System?
For watching movies and TV shows, the in-flight entertainment system is fantastic. There are even some newer entries that did not make it to Netflix.
However, most in-flight entertainment systems use the AUX cord for audio and do not support Bluetooth. So you’ll have to use your wired headphones or the ones provided by the airline, but remember to keep plane etiquette in mind.
If you travel frequently and encounter these issues, I recommend investing in an airplane Bluetooth adapter. These are very portable and can be used in the same way as a TWS case. They have a continuous battery life of up to 6 hours, and the case allows for four more full-charge cycles. (this brings the total battery time to 30 hours)
Simply plug them into the AUX cord and use your headphones to connect to this device. Simple as that.
Unfortunately, these are not cheap, and for the price of this adapter, you could get a decent pair of low-end TWS earbuds. But it’s good to be aware of our options.
As previously stated, when comparing different airlines, several airlines allow you to watch movies via their App. So, if you fly with one of these airlines on a regular basis, you’re in luck! You don’t have to spend money on a fancy adapter or sit with “wired” headphones that irritate your ears.
After considering all of the information presented above, we concluded that many first-timers might be concerned about using Bluetooth headphones while flying. So don’t worry! Because we discovered that most airlines allow you to wear your Bluetooth headphones throughout the flight, with the exception of landing and take-off.
Conclusion
When you have to sit for 6 hours on a plane, using headphones to listen to music or watch a movie is a godsend. Many passengers, however, are concerned about whether the airlines will allow them to use Bluetooth headphones instead of “wired” options. The answer is yes. For the most part, they will allow passengers to use Bluetooth headphones.
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Can You Use Bluetooth Headphones on a Plane: References
