Can you use Bluetooth on a plane?

Simply put, yes, you can use Bluetooth while on a plane. While different airlines have different regulations, the gist is that Bluetooth devices can be connected to your devices mid-flight. However, be mindful that during the critical phases of the flight — especially if you’re sitting on an exit row seat — your electronic devices are recommended to be stowed.

Why? Because during the same critical phases of the flight — takeoff and landing — the risk is highest of an incident occurring, such as a runway excursion, and the flight attendants will require assistance from passengers to evacuate quickly. A computer, a Bluetooth mouse, or even headphones can impede an evacuation, exacerbating the safety risks.

Still, if you’re traveling on a domestic flight or taking a long-haul flight abroad, you can take Bluetooth devices, such as headphones, with you and use them on the plane. If you are flying abroad, remember that you might want to download Saily’s eSIM app for your connectivity needs once you land.

Can you use Bluetooth headphones on a plane?

Yes, you can use Bluetooth headphones while flying on a plane. Just be mindful that you should listen to the safety instructions before takeoff, and, if you’re sitting on an exit row seat, you will have to put them away for the takeoff and landing to be prepared in case of an emergency.

Once an aircraft reaches cruising altitude — feel free to use headphones to listen to your own music, or with the newer in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, connect to the screen and watch movies or TV series.

Can you use other Bluetooth devices on a plane?

There are no regulations that completely prohibit fliers from using Bluetooth devices that are not headphones. Mice, keyboards, or stylus pens that connect to your computer or tablet via Bluetooth can be used mid-flight. Just remember to wait for the aircraft to reach cruising altitude, when there is minimal risk to a flight, or at least less than when a plane is taking off or landing.

Which airlines allow Bluetooth on a plane?

Most airlines in the world permit their customers to use Bluetooth devices on a plane. For example, in the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) rules read that portable electronic devices (PEDs) that are not installed on board an aircraft can be used if the operator — the airline — deems that the PED will not interfere with the safe operation of an aircraft.

Some carriers even encourage people to use Bluetooth. Well, indirectly, but still — airlines like Wizz Air have in-seat ordering solutions that, once a flier scans a QR code and orders an item off the menu, like a sandwich, flight attendants receive the order and can deliver the item quickly. All with the power of Bluetooth!

Before you use your Bluetooth devices willy-nilly, though, read the airline’s rules on using them and always listen to the flight attendants since they’re the ones who ensure your safety while you’re flying.

And while not necessarily a Bluetooth device, remember that most airlines nowadays prohibit charging your phone with a wired or wireless power bank following a string of incidents when they caught on fire on board.

How to use Bluetooth on a plane

Using Bluetooth while flying on a plane is not as straightforward as one might think. On modern smartphones, turning on airplane mode can sometimes result in Bluetooth, as well as Wi-Fi, being switched off. That means even your eSIM’s mobile data connection will be severed once you toggle airplane mode on.

But once you’re in the air, you can turn Bluetooth back on manually via your phone’s settings, and it’s as simple as if you were on the ground, unless you’re trying to connect to an IFE system and not your personal device. Not every IFE screen can pair with a Bluetooth device, which can turn into a cat-and-mouse game of finding aircraft fitted with Bluetooth-capable screens.

Using Bluetooth headphones on a plane

As mentioned in the paragraph above, using any kind of Bluetooth device, including headphones, mid-flight is a straightforward affair. After you switch on airplane mode once you’re on board a plane, you can manually turn Bluetooth back on and connect your headphones to your smartphone or tablet to watch the entertainment that you’ve downloaded.

Where it does become complicated is when you want to connect your headphones to an IFE screen. One solution is to get a Bluetooth transmitter, which plugs into any screen that has a phone connector, more commonly known as an AUX port. But if you don’t want to spend extra money on top of a — presumably — expensive pair of headphones, you can try directly connecting to the screen.

Your ability to pair Bluetooth headphones with a screen that’s in front of you will be out of your hands, unfortunately, and will depend on the airline that you’re flying with. Even then, not every aircraft within an airline’s fleet will have the latest interiors with the latest IFE systems that support Bluetooth connections. Other airlines have Wi-Fi on their airplanes but do not have entertainment systems, or have both, but not on every aircraft. What we’re trying to say here is that the ability to pair your headphones with an IFE screen or watch entertainment on your own device is more of a case-by-case thing rather than a rule of thumb.

Why should you use Bluetooth headphones on a plane?

If you’re a first-time flier and you’ve been looking for tips before your flight, one of the main pieces of advice is to plan your in-flight entertainment. Whatever your choice will be — your own device or the airline’s offering — you will have to bring headphones to hear the audio. Here are several other benefits or reasons to use Bluetooth headphones while flying on an aircraft:

• The ability to watch or listen to entertainment. Music, movies, TV series, or audiobooks will require headphones to actually hear your choice of entertainment. While listening aloud is an option, it’s frowned upon, and you will eventually be told to use headphones or stop disturbing other passengers.

• Noise canceling. Flying, unfortunately, is a noisy affair. In addition to the wind outside affecting noise levels inside, your fellow passengers can be loud. Having noise-canceling headphones, whether Bluetooth or not, can be a real lifesaver, or at least an ear preserver.

• Stretching is easier. Unlike wired headphones, Bluetooth headphones provide the freedom to move around the cabin and still be able to listen to music that’s playing on your seat’s IFE screen. So, if you plan to walk around and stretch — a must if you’re on a long-haul flight — do consider getting Bluetooth headphones instead of a wired pair.

One tip is to research the aircraft type you’re flying with and whether it has the latest IFE systems. Most airlines globally are currently retrofitting their cabins to improve premium seating numbers and introduce the newest seats, but due to a variety of issues, including certification or supply chain-related delays, carriers have had problems completing retrofits on time.

What Bluetooth headphones to use on a plane

We won’t be recommending specific brands of Bluetooth headphones to buy for a long flight, but since we have experienced more than a handful of flights with a variety of wired and wireless headphones, here are some practical tips if you’re looking to purchase a pair:

• Noise canceling. Flying is noisy. Whether it is the wind outside, the sound of the engines, or the people inside the cabin causing a ruckus, having noise-canceling headphones will make the in-flight experience much more enjoyable. Check whether the model you’re eyeing has favorable reviews of its noise-canceling abilities.

• Type of headphones. Usually, over-ear headphones are safe bets that they will cancel out outside noise, especially if they have active noise canceling (ANC). Some on-ear headphones and earphones might also offer good ANC, but quality varies, so do your research about the specific earphones you’re looking to buy.

• Battery life. Battery life won’t matter much if you’re planning on taking a short, one or two-hour flight. But if your journey includes a layover flight or a 10- or 12-hour hop across an ocean, your headphones’ battery life will matter a lot, especially if you don’t have a wired backup.

• Comfort. Even if a pair of Bluetooth headphones has the best noise canceling and battery life, if they’re not comfortable on your ears, that’s not going to be a purchase that you’ll be happy with in the long run. If you can, visit your local audio stores and try the headphones on to see how they feel — and read reviews beforehand!

How to connect Bluetooth headphones to in-flight entertainment screens

Connecting your Bluetooth headphones to IFE systems on a plane is pretty easy and is similar to connecting the same headphones to your phone. For example, on a United Airlines’ IFE screen, you’ll see a Bluetooth icon at the bottom right of the screen. Tap it, enable Bluetooth audio, and look for your headphones’ name on the list displayed on the screen, and that’s it.

However, the process will depend on the airline you’re flying with, as well as the IFE system of the aircraft itself. Not every system will support Bluetooth headphone connectivity, and you might not be able to hear the audio of the screen if you don’t have wireless headphones or if your Bluetooth headphones don’t support a wired connection.

While the flight attendants are on an aircraft primarily for the safety of everyone, you can still ask them if they’d be able to help you out in connecting your Bluetooth headphones to the IFE system if you’re struggling to do so yourself.

Can you use Bluetooth on a plane? Key takeaways

To summarize, yes, you can use Bluetooth devices while flying on a plane, which includes headphones, keyboards, mice, a stylus pen, or any other device you might need while you’re traveling.

Note that every device should be placed securely during the two phases of a flight — the takeoff and the landing. When your aircraft is taking off or touching down at an airport, that is when the risk of an incident is the highest, which is why you should stow away any items that might interfere with your or your fellow passengers’ ability to evacuate the plane.

So, feel free to use your Bluetooth devices while on board an aircraft, but be mindful, listen to the crew’s instructions, and keep an eye — or rather, ear — out for any safety announcements that the flight attendants or pilots might have.

We could even argue that bringing Bluetooth headphones on a flight is a must to ensure your own comfort, considering the noise levels on board aircraft as well as at airports. We could also argue that having an eSIM like Saily on your international travel is a must as well, especially if you want to stay connected and download your choice of entertainment — like movies or TV shows — for your upcoming flights, even if you’re in a foreign country.