Watching in-flight entertainment with your Bluetooth headphones on planes is difficult. That’s because airlines are very slow to upgrade their hardware. But even with the newest headphones, it’s possible to use them with in-flight entertainment.
How to Connect Your Bluetooth Headphones to Airplane In-Flight Entertainment Systems
Only a few airlines have updated their built-in entertainment to support Bluetooth connectivity (Air France, American Airlines, Delta, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qatar, and United Airlines). And it’s just for their newest airplane models, which account for a small part of their flights. For other flights, you’ll have to bring wired headphones or buy them mid-flight.
Some airlines allow passengers to stream movies and TV shows from their own devices. They do this through an app or a website. But this only works on flights with built-in WiFi.
Tip: You Can Also Use a Bluetooth Adapter
A workaround is to use a Bluetooth adapter. It plugs into the built-in entertainment system’s audio output (3.5 mm, two prongs, or three prongs) and transmits a Bluetooth signal. You can then connect to it with your headphones to listen to the entertainment systems.
You’re Allowed to Use Bluetooth Headphones on Planes, but Not During Takeoff and Landing
Most airlines allow the use of Bluetooth headphones on planes, except for the critical stages of the flight. But this heavily depends on the airline. Some airlines allow using Bluetooth headphones during all stages of the flight (Lufthansa, Southwest, Spirit, and Qatar).
Some ask you to stow them away during takeoff and landing (American Airlines, British Airways, Delta, JetBlue, Qantas, Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, and United). Others only allow you to use them when the airplane is above 10,000 ft (Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines). And some don’t allow you to use them at all on their older airplane models, which don’t offer WiFi connectivity (Air Canada and Air France).
Which Airlines Offer Bluetooth Connectivity for Their In-Flight Entertainment Systems
| Airline Name | Built-In In-flight Entertainment Screens | Streaming Options For Your Devices |
| Aer Lingus | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | No streaming app/website |
| Air Canada | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | No streaming app/website |
| Air France | Works with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane models | No streaming app/website |
| Air Transat | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | You can stream from their website on flights with Wi-Fi |
| Alaska Airlines | No built-in entertainment | You can stream from their website on flights with Wi-Fi |
| Allegiant Air | No built-in entertainment | No streaming app/website |
| American Airlines | Works with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane models | You can stream from their app or website on flights with Wi-Fi |
| British Airways | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | No streaming app/website |
| Delta Airlines | Works with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane models | No streaming app/website |
| EasyJet | No built-in entertainment | No streaming app/website |
| Emirates | Works with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane models | No streaming app/website |
| Hawaiian Airlines | No built-in entertainment | You can stream from their app or website on flights with Wi-Fi |
| Jet2 | No built-in entertainment | No streaming app/website |
| JetBlue | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | No streaming app/website |
| JetStar | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | No streaming app/website |
| KLM | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | No streaming app/website |
| Lufthansa | Works with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane models | No streaming app/website |
| Norwegian Airlines | No built-in entertainment | No streaming app/website |
| Qantas | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | You can stream from their app on flights with no built-in screens |
| Qatar Airways | Works with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane models | You can stream from their app on flights with Wi-Fi |
| Ryanair | No built-in entertainment | No streaming app/website |
| Singapore Airlines | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | No streaming app/website |
| Southwest | No built-in entertainment | You can stream from their website on flights with Wi-Fi |
| Spirit Airlines | No built-in entertainment | No streaming app/website |
| Turkish Airlines | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | No streaming app/website |
| United Airlines | Works with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane models | You can stream from their app or website on flights with Wi-Fi |
| Virgin Atlantic | Not compatible with Bluetooth headphones | No streaming app/website |
| WestJet | No built-in entertainment | You can stream from their app on flights with Wi-Fi |
| WizzAir | No built-in entertainment | No streaming app/website |