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Bluetooth Headphones on Planes and In-Flight Entertainment

By Oscar Brumelis

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Updated on

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 NameBuilt-In In-flight Entertainment ScreensStreaming Options For Your Devices
Aer LingusNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesNo streaming app/website
Air CanadaNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesNo streaming app/website
Air FranceWorks with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane modelsNo streaming app/website
Air TransatNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesYou can stream from their website on flights with Wi-Fi
Alaska AirlinesNo built-in entertainmentYou can stream from their website on flights with Wi-Fi
Allegiant AirNo built-in entertainmentNo streaming app/website
American AirlinesWorks with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane modelsYou can stream from their app or website on flights with Wi-Fi
British AirwaysNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesNo streaming app/website
Delta AirlinesWorks with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane modelsNo streaming app/website
EasyJetNo built-in entertainmentNo streaming app/website
EmiratesWorks with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane modelsNo streaming app/website
Hawaiian AirlinesNo built-in entertainmentYou can stream from their app or website on flights with Wi-Fi
Jet2No built-in entertainmentNo streaming app/website
JetBlueNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesNo streaming app/website
JetStarNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesNo streaming app/website
KLMNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesNo streaming app/website
LufthansaWorks with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane modelsNo streaming app/website
Norwegian AirlinesNo built-in entertainmentNo streaming app/website
QantasNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesYou can stream from their app on flights with no built-in screens
Qatar AirwaysWorks with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane modelsYou can stream from their app on flights with Wi-Fi
RyanairNo built-in entertainmentNo streaming app/website
Singapore AirlinesNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesNo streaming app/website
SouthwestNo built-in entertainmentYou can stream from their website on flights with Wi-Fi
Spirit AirlinesNo built-in entertainmentNo streaming app/website
Turkish AirlinesNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesNo streaming app/website
United AirlinesWorks with Bluetooth headphones on some airplane modelsYou can stream from their app or website on flights with Wi-Fi
Virgin AtlanticNot compatible with Bluetooth headphonesNo streaming app/website
WestJetNo built-in entertainmentYou can stream from their app on flights with Wi-Fi
WizzAirNo built-in entertainmentNo streaming app/website
About Oscar Brumelis

Oscar is a freelance writer who loves traveling and hiking. He's been to over 30 different countries and hiked over 2000+ miles throughout his life.

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