I have bought wireless Earbuds just to get rid of tangled cords and just wished to save a lot of hours by getting rid of untangled wires. But the question is, Will my AirPods (wireless earbuds) work on the plane?
Want to use AirPods on your next flight? Go ahead, Because, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) says that it is OK to use them along with your other Bluetooth headphones on Airplanes. Hurrah!
FAA has advised Airlines to allow their passengers to use PED (Portable Electronic Devices). PEDs are small handheld, electronic devices like smartphones, Wireless headphones.
When you have worn your AirPods, you are not disturbing your neighbors who are onboard with your wires around.
When you get onboard for a flight, you are first advised to turn on your smartphone flight mode. So, how do you connect your wireless earbuds to your phone? It’s OK to use short-range Bluetooth devices and accessories (PEDs) like wireless keyboards, MP3, and AirPods during the flight.
Can You Use AirPods on a Plane | Right Approach
- Before your Airplane takes off, you should first go to your mobile phone settings.
- Now, turn on Airplane mode here.
- This will turn off your cellular data as advised by the plane staff.
- Now, enable your Bluetooth from the settings.
Now, You can use Airpods in the following ways:
Let me tell you some interesting things about the approach discussed above…
You are not breaching any regulations or any advice given by the plane staff members. You have turned on your smartphone on flight mode too. So, now you don’t have to waste your precious time sitting bored for a long time and you can enjoy listening to your favorite music or podcasts.
Always make sure that you have saved your favorite songs and other related things before you get on board. Because you won’t be able to find new songs but Airplanes also have their specific wi-fi connection from where you can enjoy only a handful of music.
Connection with inflight entertainment system needs battery power. So, make sure that you charge your AirPods properly. If you are not using and running out of battery, you can still have a better charging period which you can achieve by keeping one earbud. This will almost double the remaining battery time.
Related:
How to take Airpods through the Security checkpoint
You can take your AirPods and other Bluetooth devices on Airplanes and there is no issue but some Airlines don’t allow taking Bluetooth devices with you and they are vulnerable to old Airplanes.
But, generally, you can keep your AirPods and other small devices in your bag. When you have to pass the luggage through security checkpoints, they require you to keep bigger electronic devices in your hand. So, AirPods will be kept in the bag to check through the security passes. Your smartphone will be retained separately to pass through X-ray screening.
According to TSA, You will be asked to remove personal electronic devices more significant than a cell phone from your carry-on bag and place them into a bin with nothing placed on or under them for X-ray screening.
Common examples of these devices include laptops, tablets, e-readers, and handheld game consoles.
Alert: This does not include hair dryers, electric shavers, or electric toothbrushes.
Airline rulings on AirPod use
Not all Airlines allow the usage of Bluetooth devices during flight time. Some have made strict rulings not to allow Bluetooth devices for their relative-aged Airplanes and they have permitted using of Bluetooth headphones before getting on board and after leaving the Airplanes only.
Lists of Top Airlines and their Rules for AirPods
American Airlines
They have an internal Entertainment system that you can use to enjoy listening to music and connect it to your mobile device via Bluetooth. You can use AirPods in airplanes but they don’t allow it while landing and taking off.
Delta
Delta has recently added Bluetooth support in their Airplanes. In some of their planes, they allow Wired headphones but have integrated Bluetooth support to use AirPods. They don’t allow to use of AirPods while landing and taking off.
United Airlines
They have allowed using AirPods and other Bluetooth devices during flights. However, on some Airplanes, you are asked to use Bluetooth devices with their internal entertainment system
Southwest Airlines
They have set an additional amount of $8 to use the Wi-Fi network during the flight. They don’t allow you to use AirPods while landing and taking off. But, it is generally allowed during flight time.
JetBlue
You can use AirPods during the flight. But, you can’t use Bluetooth devices with their entertainment system.
Alaska Airlines
You can use AirPods during the flight. But, you can’t use Bluetooth devices with their entertainment system.
Spirit Airlines
You can use AirPods during the flight. They don’t have an entertainment system.
Air Canada
AirPods are allowed during the flight but up to a distance of 10,000 feet. You have to take permission from the flight attendant above that distance.
Lufthansa
You can use AirPods and other Bluetooth devices during the flight.
Air France
You can use AirPods and other Bluetooth devices during the flight. But, you can use their inflight entertainment system with only wired headphones.
Ryanair
You can use AirPods and other Bluetooth devices during the flight. Ryanair doesn’t offer any inflight entertainment systems.
British Airways
They don’t allow you to use AirPods while landing and taking off. But, it is generally allowed during flight time. Bluetooth headphones can’t be used together with their entertainment system.
Allegiant Air
They don’t allow you to use AirPods while landing and taking off. But, it is generally allowed during flight time.
Qantas Airlines
They don’t allow you to use AirPods while landing and taking off. But, it is generally allowed during flight time. You can use their Entertainment system app with your device.
WestJet
You can use AirPods during flight time. You can use their Entertainment system app with your device.
Emirates Airlines
You can use AirPods during the flight time in most of their Airplanes and you can make it compatible with their inflight entertainment system. But, you should avoid using them while landing and taking off.
Hawaiian Airlines
AirPods are allowed during the flight but up to a distance of 10,000 feet. You have to take permission from the flight attendant above that distance.
How to Connect AirPods To In-flight Entertainment Systems | via AirFly Pro Adapter
AirFly adapters have been launched by TwelveSouth which can be connected with anything through its headphone jack and they are perfect for Inflight Entertainment systems. AirPods are not compatible with many devices and infotainment systems due to their being wireless and not compatible with anything lacking Bluetooth 12 and so on.
AirFly adapters are perfect with their 3.55mm headphone jack. They are easily connected with AirPods and are charged through micro USB.
You can connect AirFly Adapter through the following steps:
- First of all, turn on your AirFly Pro.
- Now, get it into pairing mode by holding down the bottom button.
- Now, get your AirPods into pairing mode by holding down on the back of the AirPods.
- Plug your AirFy Pro with your Airplane seat connectors.
Related:
Why AirPods Are Best For AirTravel?
You should carefully select your Audio Devices when you are traveling especially in the case of Air Travel. Because you may have to be on board for a long time up to 20 hours.
Conclusion
Yes! You can use AirPods as it has been approved by FAA which has advised Airlines to allow their passengers to use AirPods while following the safety measures. You should prohibit using AirPods while landing and taking off time. You must ask the flight attendant to guide you above a specific distance limit.
You must the guidelines of TSA to keep your larger electronic devices in your hand and you can keep relatively few devices in a separate bag to pass them through X-ray screening.
I hope that you have enjoyed the article. If you have any queries then don’t hesitate to comment below.
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About Author
Originally from Pakistan Azam, the Founder of smarthomehut.com has a keen interest in Audio products and has used multiple Audio and sound-related products with almost every version of the headphones and AirPods.
Azam has got a degree in Bachelors in Computer Science with a specialization in Home Automation and Security having experience of 3 years in automation, which has allowed him to guide people on what He has learned, observed, and analyzed to solve their problems with tech and automated gadgets.
He has done jobs in various companies across Pakistan i,e; Tech Resolver Ltd and Soft Care Ltd.
Now, He has been writing detailed information on every issue and every feature of headphones, Alexa (Echo devices), Home security devices AirPods, or earbuds and also reviewing them for 2 years.
You can find him @
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