Bluetooth headphones have grown in popularity in recent years as a simple and wireless method to listen to music, podcasts, and other audio material while on the road.
Yet, with the increase in air travel, many people do wonder if Bluetooth headphones can be used on a plane. Can you use them on a plane?
Bluetooth headphones are allowed on a plane during the entire flight except for the take-off and landing phases according to the majority of international and aviation authorities. Since 2013, FAA permitted the use of Bluetooth devices including Bluetooth headphones on planes. However, Bluetooth headphones policies may differ from airline to airline.
While some would require you to turn it off during taxiing, take-off, and landing, others have no restrictions. On the other side, some airlines don’t allow usage on a flight at all.
Hence, it’s better to check with the airline and its regulatory body on their stand on using personal electronic devices like Bluetooth headphones. This will put you on a better side and save you from embarrassment.
I know how it feels to carry along your newly bought Bluetooth headphones only to be told that you can’t use them on the plane. It will mess up your whole flight.
To avoid that, I’ll be sharing with you some simple tips that I gathered in my research in a moment.
I’ve also compiled a list of popular airlines and their position on Bluetooth headphones usage in flight.
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How To Verify Bluetooth Headphones Usage on a Plane
Check the Airline Regulatory Body
Every airline falls under a regulatory body that manages them within different regions. Each of them has its own set of rules that govern international flights and sometimes has slightly varying security recommendations.
Regulators such as IATA, FAA, and TCCA, to name a few, have varying views on Bluetooth headphones usage and in which phase of the flight to use them. So you can check out their websites to have a fair idea.
Visit the Website of the Airline for Confirmation
Regulators of these airlines may approve the use of Bluetooth headphones, but the airlines may have policies restricting their usage.
Usually, short-range Bluetooth devices like headphones, keyboards, and mice are usually allowed but at different flight phases.
So you can head over to the airline’s website and enquire about their support, and I’m sure they’ll respond. You can also ask on their social media outlets like Facebook or Twitter if they have one.
What if you boarded the flight without prior inquiry? That brings me to the next tip.
Check the Airline Magazine When on Board
You’ll find most airline magazines once you board the plane. It’s one of the ways they advertise their service to you as well as educate you about security measures.
You’ll sometimes find their policies on Bluetooth headphones or personal electronic device usage somewhere.
In the worst case, kindly call one of the flight attendants to ask before launching your Bluetooth headphone.
Take Note of Flight Phase Rules
There are about eight flight phases that you need to be aware of. The official global rule is that passengers switch their electronic devices into airplane mode to avoid communication interruptions of the plane operators.
Similarly, some airlines may allow Bluetooth headphones, but you’re advised to turn them off during certain flight phases. For example, IATA doesn’t allow using Bluetooth headphones in critical moments like takeoffs and landings.
Now that you have a few tips at hand let’s look at what some of these airline regulators say about Bluetooth headphones
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What Airline Regulatory Agencies Say About Bluetooth Headphones Usage on Flights?
Bluetooth headphones, like any other personal electronic devices such as calculators, cameras, radio receivers, mobile phones, audio, and video players, electronic games, and toys, have been a concern on the tables of regulatory agencies for decades.
Evaluations from the various international and national aviation authorities have come with provisions for their member states which is worth noting.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
It’s a United Nations (UN) specialized regulatory body of about 193 member states which is bent on ensuring the safety and security of civil aviation. ICAO is the biggest umbrella for all other regulatory bodies.
Due to the non-uniformities of member state evaluation concerning personal electronic devices, ICAO has no concrete provision for using Bluetooth headphones on planes.
This means that you have to refer to its sub-regulatory agencies or airlines for clarification.
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
A world trade association that supports about 290 airlines with global standards, safety, and security measures hasn’t mentioned the use of Bluetooth headphones on planes.
However, it has provided guidelines for using portable electronic devices (PEDs), including Bluetooth headphones. The guide explicitly states the number of PEDs with lithium batteries you can carry and how to handle them.
Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA)
AAPA comprises about 16 membership airlines based in the Asia-pacific region. In a cabin safety seminar held in Singapore in November, they stated in their airline policy that all PEDs, including Bluetooth headphones, must be turned off and stowed during pre-departure and at the top of descent announcements.
However, you can use your PEDs not limited to Bluetooth headphones at approximately 1000ft in the air except for mobile phones.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
In July 2013, FAA published a regulation regarding issues with using PEDs, including Bluetooth Headphones by passengers. The committee that came with this regulation consisted of representatives from different aviation units.
From the committee report, the current FAA regulation prohibits using PEDs during flights, except its safety is determined by aircraft operators.
But it allows broad use of non-transmittable devices like calculators, cameras, radio receivers, headphones, audio, video players, electronic games, and toys during non-critical phases of the flights.
FAA, which is responsible for US airlines, also mandates aircraft operators to determine the usage of PEDs with its recommendations at the phases of flight if it possesses no threats to navigation or communication.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
Following the FAA study, EASA, an agency for the European Union civil aviation safety, has also made provisions for European airlines. It allows PEDs, including Bluetooth headphones, for almost the whole flight duration.
These PEDs include transmitting, and non-transmitting devices, provided their interference is verified as harmless by the operators. You can find the FAQs relating to when you’ll be allowed or not in the link for more information.
You should, however, note that the recommendations or provisions made by these regulatory agencies are not mandatory to be carried out by their member airlines.
The final decision depends on the airline’s regulations depending on the security issues they have.
I’ve therefore done the heavy lifting by putting together a list of the world’s best and most popular airlines in the next session for you.
What World Best and Popular Airlines Say About Bluetooth Headphones on Flights?
Despite the provisions made by the regulatory bodies, you’ll find different policies regarding using Bluetooth headphones for airlines.
Here are a few of them to help you out.
| Airline | Approved PEDs (Bluetooth Headphones) | The phase of Flight Allowed |
| Qatar airline | Mobile phones with flight mode capability, Laptop/notebook computers, Tablet computers, E-readers, Noise-cancelling headphones, Digital Audio / MP3 Players, Portable DVD / CD Players, Bluetooth-enabled devices, Electric shavers, Personal digital cameras, Electronic games, Assistive medical devices | All Phases |
| Singapore Airlines | Not categorically stated | Except for taxiing, take-offs, and other critical moments. |
| ANA All Nippon Airways | Permits connection between Bluetooth devices, including Bluetooth headphones, only on aircraft equipped with WIFI. | All the time, except the crew, announces otherwise. |
| Cathay Pacific Airways | Smartphones and mobile phones, Tablets, eBooks, Electronic games
Music players, Digital cameras, Camcorders, Calculators, Electric shavers, Breast pumps, Digital thermometers Medical devices | All phases but Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled devices should be switched off or set to flight mode. |
| Emirates | Mobile phones
Tablets, for example, iPads and Kindles E-readers Electronic games, for example, Nintendo DS Bluetooth devices, e.g., Bluetooth headphone | Only turned on flight mode for the taxi, takeoff, approach, and landing. |
| EVA Air | Allows the use of Bluetooth devices but doesn’t provide the breakdown of items. | All phases |
| Hainan Airlines | Some portable electronic devices including Bluetooth headphones are allowed. | You’re required to disconnect during taxi, take-off, and landing. |
| Qantas Airways | Bluetooth devices, including headphones, can be used at all times onboard Airbus 330, Airbus 380, Boeing 787, Boeing 737, and QantasLink aircraft. | Bluetooth must be switched off during taxi, takeoff, and landing. |
| Lufthansa | Bluetooth headphones and other devices are allowed. | It’s allowed during the entire flight without restriction – even during take-off and landing unless the crew instructs otherwise. |
| Air France | Bluetooth-controlled electronic devices (headphones, watches, etc.) are permitted onboard. | No exceptions are given |
| British Airways | You can use noise-canceling headphones and Bluetooth devices, e.g., wireless keyboards or headphones, during the flight. | It must be switched off during taxiing, take-off, and landing. |
| Air Canada | Allows the use of Bluetooth headphones only on their WIFI-enabled aircraft. | You can’t use it during safety demos, planned emergencies, and when the flight has reached 10,000 ft. |
| American Airlines | Permits the use of cell phones, laptops, and electronic devices, including Bluetooth headphones. | All phases unless cautioned by the crew. |
| Delta Air Lines | Recently announced to advance its inflight entertainment systems to use Bluetooth headphones. | No explicit information is provided on any restrictions. |
| Southwest Airlines | All headphones, including Bluetooth headphones, are allowed into their plane, even for inflight entertainment. | Not explicitly stated. |
| United Airlines | Supports the use of Bluetooth headphones on flights. | Crew informs you when and when not to use it. |
Can Bluetooth Headphones Work with Phones or Tablets in Airplane Mode?
Yes! Bluetooth headphones do work with phones or tablets in airplane mode. However, some devices automatically turn off Bluetooth when you activate airplane mode. They’re made so because Bluetooth is considered a transmittable signal.
This is why a lot of people perceive that Bluetooth doesn’t work in “Airplane mode”. Depending on the type of device you’re using, switching into airplane mode may have a varying effect on your Bluetooth mode.
For Android devices like Samsung, turning on airplane mode automatically switches off your Bluetooth. You can get the Bluetooth on by enabling it in the settings, and you can use your tablet or phone with your Bluetooth headphones normally.
For iOS devices, switching into airplane mode may or may not deactivate your Bluetooth. Whichever situation you get, you can still turn on your device’s Bluetooth in the settings to connect with your Bluetooth headphones.
Related ==> Are Bluetooth Headphones Good For Gaming?
Can Phones or Tablets Access WiFi in Airplane Mode on Flights?
WiFi can be accessed with your phone or tablet, even in airplane mode, just like Bluetooth, provided the airline has one. WiFi is also regarded as a transmittable signal, so it turns off automatically in airplane mode.
You can turn it on like Bluetooth to connect to stream online if the airline has WiFi. However, you need to be sure about the airline’s policies to know at what phase of the flight to use it.
If you have the green light to use it, you can enjoy your journey all day long with your Bluetooth headphones to watch your favorite movies.
How To Connect Bluetooth Headphones On In-flight Entertainment Systems With No Bluetooth Support
Have you boarded an airline with your favorite Bluetooth headphones only to realize you can’t connect to their in-flight entertainment system before?
This experience is very sour if your flight is long…you’ll wish you had reached your destination.
Because you’ll be stuck with the airline’s low-quality headphones – usually a two-pin AUX input. But there’s a way around it.
You can take along with you TaoTronics Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter and Receiver or Twelve South AirFly Wireless Transmitter as a backup. This device helps you to connect your Bluetooth headphones to the in-flight entertainment system.
And the best part is you can connect multiple headphones to the transmitter.
In some airlines, for example, American Airlines, you may not need these devices to use your Bluetooth headphones. They have apps you can download with their WiFi to connect your Bluetooth headphones.
Unfortunately, most airlines don’t have these apps, so you may want to be fully prepared with the needed accessories if you want to enjoy your favorite Bluetooth headphones on flights.
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Final Thoughts
You can use Bluetooth headphones on airlines provided it doesn’t interfere with flight operator communications. With technological advancement, most regulatory bodies recommend it to their members, but it will take a while to implement it globally.
It’s, therefore, imperative to do your background check on the airline you’re taking to be sure of their standing with Bluetooth headphones usage on flights. You should also take note of the restrictions they have for flight phases if any.
I hope this article has served you well. Enjoy your flight! Kindly share your experience if you have any in the comment below to help others. Thanks