There have been many questions about the safety of using wireless headphones and devices on an airplane. Flying is stressful, and many passengers just want to get in their seats, fasten their seat belts, and use a device that allows them to drown out the flight, and maybe even the other passengers.
Nowadays, the headphones that a passenger is likely to want to use on a flight are Bluetooth headphones. After all, they are convenient, and you don’t have to worry about getting a cord tangled up in limbs, carry-ons, and food trays. Though there are many good uses for Bluetooth headphones, the question still remains, are these convenient, unattached headphones safe to use on a flight?
Are Bluetooth Headphones Safe To Use On A Plane?
Until a few years ago, Bluetooth headphones, along with any wireless device that does not come with a ‘flight mode’ were strictly banned from all commercial flights. However, as more research has been done, the industry has come to the understanding that Bluetooth headphones don’t interfere with avionics. Anyone who has flown in recent years, will be aware aware that planes have allowed the use of Bluetooth headphones for some time. Since 2013 the Federal Aviation Administration has relaxed its rules on the use of portable devices during all the various phases of a flight, and that now includes taking off and landing. What that means is, the simple answer as to whether or not you can use Bluetooth headphones on a plane is yes. Are they safe to use? Apparently. However, these restrictions vary from airline to airline and the safest bet is to contact your carrier and ask them what their rules are on using Bluetooth headphones.
What is Airplane Mode?
Despite restrictions on wireless headphones, there are still going to be rules that regulate these devices and the devices they are paired with. Therefore, if you are using your smartphone, be prepared for policies that are likely to dictate when and how you use your phone. For example, the use of airplane mode is often a requirement for smartphones and this is where all connectivity features on a device are deactivated. This also means the Bluetooth can only be enabled after the request for airplane mode has been removed. However, if you are using a tablet or a laptop as your chosen listening device, then you might have to follow regulations around landings and takeoffs with these devices as well. Most airlines won’t allow you to have the tablet or the laptop out during takeoffs and landings. Therefore, these devices need to be stored safely and securely in the seat pockets during these crucial parts of the flight. What makes this part hard is that these are commonly the most frustrating parts of a flight for a nervous traveler. Other things travelers should probably keep in mind is charging headphones. Not all airlines and planes have been updated to include a USB charger or any other form of seat power. While there might be times when a device runs out of power during a flight, a portable charger can help in these instances to keep headphones or a laptop charged. Another thing worth considering is wireless headphones with wired support. For example, having a set of headphones that can be physically connected to a device with a wire will ensure you are good for whatever rules airlines throw at you.
Enjoy The Flight
The debate on whether or not it is safe to use wireless headphones with Bluetooth devices is still highly debated. Even though there hasn’t been any contrary evidence to the fact that wireless devices don’t interfere with avionics, there are still some people who have concerns. In spite of the debate continuing, wireless headphones are largely considered to be among the safest. For example, the devices that they hook up too will probably have more regulations than the headphones themselves. If anything, the biggest concern a flier is likely to have is making sure the battery lasts long enough to survive the flight, making choosing the right set of headphones the most important aspect. That aside, passengers can feel free to use their wireless headphones knowing that they are safe to use during the flight.
More: The 10 Best Wireless Headphones for 2020
