Can You Bring Headphones on a Plane? Yes, All Types

Yes, all types of headphones are allowed on planes, in both carry-on and checked baggage. Wired, wireless, Bluetooth, active noise-cancelling — none of them are restricted. There are no special rules to follow, no battery limits to worry about, and no security declarations required.

This is one of the simpler questions in air travel. The rest of this guide covers what you need to know to travel comfortably with headphones.

All Headphone Types Are Allowed

Every category of headphone or earphone is permitted:

• Wired headphones — no restrictions, in carry-on or checked bags
• In-ear wired earphones — no restrictions
• Wireless / Bluetooth headphones — allowed, with Bluetooth usable during flight
• Over-ear Bluetooth headphones (Sony WH-1000XM5, Apple AirPods Max, Bose 700, Bose QuietComfort 45, Jabra Evolve2, etc.) — all allowed
• In-ear true wireless earbuds (Apple AirPods, Samsung Galaxy Buds, Sony WF-1000XM5, Jabra Evolve2 Buds, etc.) — all allowed
• Active noise-cancelling headphones — allowed; the small ANC battery raises no issues
• Gaming headsets — allowed in carry-on; large ones may be awkward but are not restricted
• Bone conduction headphones — allowed
• DJ headphones — allowed

Carry-On Is the Right Choice

While headphones are technically allowed in checked baggage, carry-on is the better option for almost every traveler.

Theft. Electronics are among the most frequently reported items stolen from checked bags. Headphones — especially premium models like AirPods Max or Sony XM-series — are high-value, easy to pocket, and difficult to prove were in your bag. Keeping them in your carry-on eliminates this risk.

Temperature. Aircraft cargo holds can reach very low temperatures during long-haul cruising. Repeated exposure to extreme cold can degrade lithium battery health in wireless headphones over time. Carry-on storage avoids this.

Availability. You will want your headphones during the flight. If they are in your carry-on, they are immediately accessible from your seat. If they are in your checked bag, you do not have them on the plane.

Pack your headphones in a case in your carry-on or personal item bag.

Bluetooth on Planes: It Works

Many travelers assume "airplane mode" means Bluetooth is disabled. On modern smartphones, airplane mode disables cellular and Wi-Fi by default, but Bluetooth can be turned back on manually without leaving airplane mode — and on most phones, Bluetooth stays on even when airplane mode is activated.

Most airlines now permit Bluetooth use throughout the flight, including during takeoff and landing, as long as the device is otherwise in airplane mode. Bluetooth headphones are a common, accepted sight on commercial flights worldwide.

How to connect Bluetooth headphones on a flight:

1. Put your phone or tablet into airplane mode before or when instructed
2. If Bluetooth was disabled by airplane mode, go to Settings and turn Bluetooth back on
3. Connect your headphones as normal
4. You can stream audio from downloaded content, use the airline's entertainment app, or connect to Wi-Fi if available

Some airlines have seat-back screens with Bluetooth pairing capability — this varies by airline and aircraft type. On most aircraft, the seat-back screen still uses a headphone jack (3.5mm), so a wired connection or a Bluetooth transmitter is needed to use wireless headphones with seat-back entertainment.

ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) Is Perfectly Fine

Active noise-cancelling headphones contain a small rechargeable battery that powers the ANC circuitry and microphones. This battery is typically 1–3 Wh (watt-hours) — many times smaller than the 100Wh carry-on limit for lithium batteries.

There is no special declaration or approval needed for ANC headphones. They go in your carry-on bag exactly like any other electronics. The ANC feature can be used during the flight.

ANC is particularly useful on planes, where engine noise can reach 80–85 dB during cruise. Quality ANC headphones can reduce this by 20–30 dB.

Headphones at Airport Security

For most travelers, headphones go through security in your bag without issue.

• Wired earphones in a bag will generally pass through without needing to be removed
• Over-ear headphones in a case may need to be placed in a tray if the X-ray image is unclear — the officer will ask
• Headphones worn around your neck may need to come off at the metal detector, depending on the scanner

Removing your headphones from your ears before walking through the metal detector is a common courtesy to security staff (they may need to speak to you) and avoids accidentally triggering the detector with wired earphones.

Using Headphones During the Flight

Most airlines allow personal electronic devices — including headphones — from the moment you board until you exit the aircraft. During takeoff and landing, some airlines still ask passengers to lower tray tables and stow items, but listening to headphones while seated is widely permitted.

If the airline asks you to "stow electronic devices" during taxi, takeoff, or landing, this typically refers to phones and tablets — not headphones. Headphones are generally still allowed to be worn and used. Follow crew instructions if there is any ambiguity.

Wired vs. wireless for inflight entertainment:

• If your seat has a 3.5mm headphone jack: wired headphones plug in directly
• If your seat has a proprietary two-prong jack (older aircraft): a two-prong to 3.5mm adapter lets your headphones work; these are sometimes given out by the airline or can be purchased for a few dollars
• If your seat has no headphone jack: wireless or the airline's own headphones are your option

Packing Tips

1. Keep headphones in a hard-shell or semi-rigid case to protect the drivers and headband
2. Wrap cables loosely — tight coiling damages cables over time
3. Charge before the flight; ANC headphones drain faster in use than standby
4. Label your case with your name — in the event they end up in a lost-and-found, identification helps
5. Consider a 3.5mm adapter if your headphones are wireless-only but the aircraft uses a wired connection
6. On long-haul flights, over-ear headphones with ANC will be significantly more comfortable than noise-isolating in-ear earphones for extended use