AirPods Pro on planes

[profmjh]

I currently have a pair of AirPods Max, which I use on planes and they’re great for that.

I’ve ordered a pair of AirPods Pro 2 and I’m wondering if they’ll be good enough to replace the APMs.

What experience do people have with APP on planes?

 

[skyhawkmatthew]

I’ve been very happy with my APP on planes. I’m aircrew so I use them a lot during my rest periods. You’ll need to get a Bluetooth transmitter dongle if you want to use them with the in-seat entertainment on all but the newest aircraft, though.

 

[profmjh]

That’s good to know, thanks.

I do have one of those Bluetooth dongles but I’ve never used it. I tend to just bring my iPad mini and use that for in-seat entertainment.

The APM are obviously quite bulky and I prefer to travel light. I will probably take both on my next flight just to see.

 

[Tdude96]

AirPods Pro work great for me on planes, but I don't have AirPods Max, so couldn't offer a comparison about how much better one might be at ANC over the other. Presumably, if Apple can be believed, the AirPods Pro 2 will be twice as good at ANC as the originals, and the originals are already really good with plane noise.

I had no idea about the in-flight entertainment, since I ignore it and use my phone or iPad.

 

[MacDevil7334]

I don’t have AirPods Max to compare to. But I will say that there probably isn’t a pair of earbuds in the world that can compare to a good set of over ear headphones for sound quality and noise cancellation. All that being said, I have loved my APP for plane travel for the past 3 years and have the gen 2 Pros arriving Friday. They are more than good enough for me on planes, especially when you consider they are the size of a box of tic tacs. But whether they will be good enough for you coming from the Max is probably only something you can answer.

I think it depends on your expectations. If you are expecting them to sound as good as your Max, you will (probably- again I don’t own the Max) be disappointed. If you look at them as easily portable earbuds that offer good sound quality and ANC, you will probably be very pleased.

 

[xenoako]

I’ve been very happy with my APP on planes. I’m aircrew so I use them a lot during my rest periods. You’ll need to get a Bluetooth transmitter dongle if you want to use them with the in-seat entertainment on all but the newest aircraft, though.

In the 'olden' days of checking luggage, I used Bose headphones. But flying biz on 8+ hour flights no worry as provided headphone are decent. I have alternated using APP with dongle, but they are not comfortable for long international flights. On domestic flights, my APP do okay listening to media from my phone but if the aircraft has a screen then one needs the old wired earbuds that I can no longer locate.

 

[CWallace]

I use APP a fair bit on aircraft and in general find they work well enough for listening to podcasts or watching movies without needing to raise the volume too much.

I have just purchased a pair of APM and they clearly have much better insulation from outside sounds, but just for ease of carrying I will continue with APP (I have the new versions on the way).