How Do I Use My Own Headphones on a Plane?

The best and easiest way to use your own wireless headphones on a plane is with a Bluetooth airplane adapter, such as the Avantree Relay. These airplane adapters allow you to easily connect your headphones to the plane’s entertainment system and can offer additional helpful features to further ease the experience. Let’s do a quick deep dive into the world of airplane adapters to get a more comprehensive understanding of their usages.

What is an airplane adapter for headphones?

An airplane adapter is a device designed to transmit audio from airplane entertainment consoles to your personal pair of headphones. Airplane adapters for wired headphones are typically just double 3.5mm to AUX adapters that allow you to plug your headphones into the airplane jack, while airplane adapters for wireless headphones utilize Bluetooth to wirelessly broadcast audio to your headphones.

Can I use AirPods on the plane with one?

Yes, with a Bluetooth airplane adapter you’ll be able to connect any Bluetooth enabled headphones, earbuds, or even speakers (though we don’t recommend the last…) and receive audio from the plane’s entertainment system. This includes AirPods, Bose QuietComfort, Sony WH-1000XM4, and many more. Basically, if they can connect to your phone, they can connect to an airplane adapter.

What features do airplane adapters offer?

While wired airplane adapters don’t typically have any additional features, wireless adapters tend to have a couple beneficial features to enhance the playback experience. 

Take the Avantree Relay, for example. In addition to simply transmitting audio, it has a dual link feature that allows you to connect and listen to an additional listening device simultaneously, built-in controls to adjust the volume, an impressive battery life of up to 20 hours, and aptX compatibility for high-quality audio with minimal audio delays.

This plethora of features additionally makes the Relay more versatile, lending to outside-the-airplane opportunities. Trying to watch a show with a friend on your iPad but need to wear headphones? Just plug the Relay in and connect both pairs! Want to connect your wireless headphones to the gym treadmill? Use the Relay and listen with no lip-sync delays. The versatility of airplane adapters like this make them a more reasonable product to add to the shopping list.

Conclusion

In short, if you ever want to use your own pair of headphones with an airplane’s in-flight entertainment system, the best way to do so is with an airplane adapter. They allow you to stream audio as you please and can have additional features that make them more convenient, both on and off the plane. We hope this helps!

FAQs

How do I use my own headphones on a plane?
To use your own headphones on a plane, especially wireless ones, the best method is to use a Bluetooth airplane adapter. This device plugs into the plane’s entertainment audio jack and transmits sound wirelessly to your headphones, letting you enjoy audio without cables and with better comfort.

What is an airplane adapter for headphones?
An airplane adapter connects your headphones to the plane’s entertainment system. For wired headphones, it’s usually a double 3.5mm jack adapter. For wireless headphones, it’s a Bluetooth transmitter that converts the plane’s audio output into a Bluetooth signal your headphones can receive.

Can I use AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones on a plane?
Yes, with a Bluetooth airplane adapter, you can connect any Bluetooth-enabled headphones or earbuds, including AirPods, Bose QuietComfort, Sony WH-1000XM4, and others. The adapter pairs with your headphones and streams the plane’s audio wirelessly.

What features do Bluetooth airplane adapters offer?
Wireless airplane adapters often include dual-link support to connect two headphones simultaneously, built-in volume controls, long battery life (up to 20 hours), and aptX compatibility for high-quality, low-latency audio, ensuring synced sound with the video on the plane.

Why use a Bluetooth airplane adapter instead of wired headphones?
Bluetooth adapters eliminate tangled wires and allow freedom of movement on the plane. They improve comfort, enable use of noise-cancelling wireless headphones, and often support multiple devices. They also work beyond flights, such as connecting headphones to gym equipment or sharing audio with a friend.