Abstract
- Some airways have Bluetooth-ready leisure programs, through which case you possibly can pair your AirPods immediately.
- If a aircraft lacks Bluetooth, you may want a appropriate Bluetooth adapter, or optionally a cable within the case of the AirPods Max.
- It’s possible you’ll want a specialised airplane adapter if an airline nonetheless makes use of dual-prong audio ports.
Frankly, I normally want watching movies and TV exhibits on my iPad after I journey. I am unable to depend on each flight having an in-flight leisure system, and even when there may be one, I’ve very explicit tastes. A Delta aircraft working in 2025 in all probability is not going to have The Witch or The Empire Strikes Again in its library.
I do make the most of leisure programs typically, although, significantly if it lets me watch one thing I won’t have entry to at dwelling. If you happen to’ve acquired a pair of AirPods, it is more and more simple to keep away from boredom on lengthy flights with out bringing an 11- or 13-inch pill all over the place you go.

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Easy methods to use your AirPods for in-flight leisure
If the aircraft has built-in Bluetooth compatibility
United
As a result of wired headphones are much less and fewer frequent, some airways are upgrading their leisure programs to assist Bluetooth. Entry might additional rely on what seat class you are in, nonetheless. Whereas First Class passengers will certainly have Bluetooth if a aircraft helps it in any respect, the choice is perhaps lacking in Economic system seats.
Examine included seat facilities earlier than reserving a ticket, if that is a precedence for you.
If you happen to do luck right into a seat with Bluetooth, observe these steps:
- Open Bluetooth choices on the seatback display screen. Their menu location goes to differ from airline to airline, however a bit of exploration ought to do the trick. On United flights, for instance, you possibly can management Bluetooth by tapping a rune within the toolbar. Ask a flight attendant in case you’re nonetheless having bother.
- Put your AirPods into pairing mode. On fashions with a charging case, maintain the buds inside, however then press and maintain the case button till a light-weight begins flashing. With the AirPods Max, press and maintain the noise cancellation button.
- On the seatback show, activate Bluetooth if crucial.
- Your AirPods ought to seem as a pairable system. Choose them.
- To disconnect your AirPods, return to the seatback choices, or else wait till the aircraft is near touchdown — your AirPods needs to be disconnected mechanically.
If you happen to’re having bother pairing, you could have to disconnect your AirPods out of your cellphone, pill, or laptop first. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, faucet the ‘i‘ icon subsequent to your AirPods, then Disconnect. On the bottom, it is best to be capable of reconnect through Settings with out re-pairing.
What to do if the aircraft would not have built-in Bluetooth
You’ve a few choices
Some in-flight programs might solely have wired choices, like USB, a 3.5mm headphone jack, or that dual-prong port unique to airplanes. What you may have to do is determined by which port you encounter.
If there is a USB port:
- Confirm that it truly helps USB audio, probably by asking a flight attendant. Some USB ports might solely be for energy.
- For AirPods with earbuds, you may want to purchase a USB Bluetooth adapter. Comply with the adapter’s directions for pairing. You may additionally want a port adapter in case your seat makes use of USB-A as a substitute of USB-C, or vice versa.
- For the AirPods Max, you need to use both a Bluetooth adapter or a appropriate USB cable.
If there is a 3.5mm headphone jack:
- For AirPods with earbuds, you may want to purchase a 3.5mm Bluetooth adapter. Comply with the adapter’s directions for pairing.
- For the AirPods Max, you need to use both a Bluetooth adapter or a appropriate 3.5mm-to-USB or 3.5mm-to-Lightning cable, relying on the technology of headphones you could have.
If there is a dual-prong port, you may in all probability want to purchase a specialised wi-fi airplane adapter such because the Twelve South AirFly Pro, no matter which AirPods you personal. Although there may hypothetically be a appropriate cable for the AirPods Max, airways have been shifting away from the dual-prong format, so there’s not a lot name for adapter cables.

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