Can you Use AirPods on a Plane? (Follow This 1 Easy Guide to Find out!)

Can you Use AirPods on a Plane?

Yes, of course. In 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed all the airlines that they could safely extend passenger use of Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) during all stages of the flight. Since AirPods fall into the PED category, so you use them gate-to-gate on most airlines.

The FAA is a legal entity that provides guidance and approval for electronic devices used on the plane. Consequently, it’s up to the airlines to decide what devices they will approve.

1. AirPods Are Considered PED

The shortage PED stands for Portable Electronic Device. Therefore, we can consider PED any lightweight electronically powered device.

We are talking about all the handheld devices, such as tablets, smartphones, e-readers, MP3 players, and headphones.

That means your Apple AirPods are part of PEDs.

2. AirPods Connection Technology

The newest model of Apple AirPods uses Bluetooth5.0 technology to connect. They use it when you connect your AirPods to a non-Apple device.

When you connect your AirPods to an Apple device or product, they use their proprietary protocol that simplifies and reduces connection time.

Apple built that protocol into their chip called the H1 processor.

If you have ever used Bluetooth, you know that it might be frustrating to establish the initial connection. But, thanks to the H1 processor, you can connect two Apple devices in less than 3 seconds. Isn’t it brilliant?

But that does not matter how Apple handles that in the background – they use Bluetooth technology and are considered PED, which is the most important in the eyes of the FAA.

3. FAA Legislation on Expanded PED Use

You will be surprised, but FAA established the first regulations in 1966.

What was the reason for that in 1966? It’s too simple. The travelers wanted to bring their portable FM radios to the plane. That was why FAA had to run several tests to find out if the FM radios could cause some troubles while on the flight – and they did. Those FM radios could interfere with the plane navigation systems.

As the technology developed significantly last few years, FAA had to conduct other tests for PEDs. Nowadays, PEDs have built-in many various technologies, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.

FAA made a significant update and published the report at the end of 2013 – Recommendations on Expanding the Use of Portable Electronic Devices.

The main goal was to provide an update and clarification on allowing additional PEDs while there would not be any compromise to the continued safe operation of the aircraft.

Today, the planes are built, designed, and certified to withstand any interference from any PED. That’s the reason it always makes sense to revisit all the old restrictions made in the past.

The resulting recommendation was that airlines could extend passenger use of Portable Electronic Devices in all stages of the flight. 

As for the AirPods, we are only interested in the sentence from the report: You can continue to use short-range Bluetooth accessories.

4. Airplane Mode

Even though FAA approved a wide range of Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) on planes, they remained strict with not allowing cellular data.
The reason is that cell phones use a different type of signal that still can interfere and cause some troubles with plane systems.

So as you know, switching your cell phone to Airplane mode (shutting off your cell data) while on the plane is still a mandatory federal requirement.

Do not worry. Your AirPods will work well even in Airplane mode since Bluetooth works fine even when your phone is in Airplane mode.

You can achieve that by following the steps:

• Switch your phone to Airplane mode
• Turn Bluetooth back on

5. Domestic Airplane Rules on using AirPods

As mentioned above, it is up to the respective airline to decide which electronic device they will approve on their planes.

Fortunately, all the top 10 US airlines allowed using AirPods on their planes.

All airlines except Allegiant allow the use of AirPods during the entire flight (during taxi, takeoff, and landing), also known as gate-to-gate.

Allegiant’s website does not explicitly say gate-to-gate use is allowed. Instead, they say that the flight crew will notify the passengers when it is safe to use their devices.

Find the exact electronic devices policy wording for the top ten domestic airlines below:

Airline	Allowed	Policy Wording
Delta	Yes, gate-to-gate	Policy allows customers to use portable electronic devices, all in airplane mode, during taxi, takeoff and landing on flights.
Southwest	Yes, gate-to-gate	Customers may use small portable electronic devices (PEDs) in “airplane mode” from gate to gate
United	Yes, gate-to-gate	Within the U.S. (including U.S. territories), travelers may use permitted small, lightweight portable electronic devices in non-cellular transmitting mode at all times.
Alaska	Yes, gate-to-gate	You may use small portable electronic devices during all phases of the flight provided they are in ‘airplane/game’ mode, unless the Captain directs the devices to be turned off.
American	Yes, gate-to-gate	You can use your cell phone, laptop and other electronic devices onboard until advised by the flight crew, but phone calls aren’t allowed during flight.
JetBlue	Yes, gate-to-gate	Portable Electronic Device use will be allowed on JetBlue aircraft during all phases of flight, including taxi, take off, cruise, and landing except during certain low-visibility landings.
Hawaiian	Yes, gate-to-gate	You may use portable electronic devices from departure gate to arrival gate on our domestic and most phases of our international routes.
Spirit	Yes, gate-to-gate	Small portable electronic devices (PEDs) may be used during all phases of flight including taxi, take-off and landing.
Frontier	Yes, gate-to-gate	Passengers can use personal electronic devices in “airplane mode” during all phases of flight.
Allegiant	Yes, gate-to-gate	Laptops, portable movie players, portable music players, and other approved devices can be used onboard the aircraft. The in-flight crew members will notify all passengers when it is safe to use these devices.

6. Can you Use AirPods with In-flight Entertainment?

I will not have a piece of good news for you. Unfortunately, most of the in-flight entertainment systems do not have Bluetooth built-in.

Because of that, you would need to use free wired headphones offered to you on the board. But, of course, you can also use your wired headphones if you have any.

However, not being negative only, there is a solution for you. You can buy an airline Bluetooth adapter to plug it into the in-flight entertainment system, and thanks to that, it enables you to connect the AirPods through the adapter.

There are mixed guides and opinions about this solution, so research before buying anything.

Another good news is that huge airlines like Qatar, Delta and United started to build their planes with Bluetooth capabilities. That would mean no more wired connections in the future. Just sit down, connect your AirPods, relax and enjoy your flight.

7. Traveling Through the Transportation Security Administration With Your Apple AirPods

Of course, it’s nice that the FAA legislation approves the AirPods usage on the plane, and most airlines allow using them during the flight. However, to use them on the plane, you must get them through security.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approves Apple AirPods in checked and carry-on bags.

Another positive, you don’t need to take your AirPods out of your luggage when going through the security check.

Per TSA, you will be asked to take any devices larger than a cell phone out of your carry-on luggage. Due to an X-ray scanning, you would need to put them into the bin with nothing placed under or on top.

So if you have any laptop, tablet, gaming console, etc., take it out of your carry-on luggage automatically. Feel free to leave your AirPods and similar size electronic devices in your bag.

To Sum Up …

As stated above, FAA approved Bluetooth devices on the plane in 2013, which means you can legally use your AirPods gate-to-gate with most airlines.

The rule of switching your phone to Airplane mode is still valid and mandatory since cellular data might interfere with the plane’s internal systems.

Last but not least, TSA approves carrying AirPods in both carry-on and checked luggage, so you don’t need to take out your AirPods.

Check here if you’d like to clean your AirPods before the flight.