Can You Use AirPods on a Plane?

If you just bought a pair of AirPods and are preparing for airplane travel, you have probably wondered if you can use these wireless earbuds on the plane. You may also have wondered if AirPods can be used in Airplane Mode when you're not able to make calls or text. Let's take a look at using AirPods on the plane. 

Related Article: The Quickest Way to Turn Announce Messages with Siri Off & On

Can AirPods Be Used on a Plane?

Can you use AirPods on an airplane? The quick answer is yes. In 2013, the Federal Aviation Administration made it ok for passengers to carry portable electronic devices on a flight. Since AirPods are considered a portable electronic device, you won’t have any issues. However, you still have to put your iPhone in Airplane Mode to disable the cellular radio. As soon as you enable Airplane Mode on your phone, you can turn your Bluetooth back on. As a result, you will be able to use your AirPods during the flight. If available, you can even connect to your flight's onboard Wi-Fi, but you won't be able to make voice calls, even over Wi-Fi, due to FCC regulations that ban airborne calls using cell phones. 

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Airline Policies on AirPods

While the FAA permits the use of AirPods during flights, some airlines have banned or limited the use of Bluetooth devices on board. One reason is that some airlines have older aircrafts that are more vulnerable to Bluetooth waves than their newer aircrafts. Another reason behind bans is that Bluetooth waves can sometimes alter the navigation system of an aircraft. As a reference, we have a chart that lists some of the most popular airlines and their policies regarding AirPods. 

Airline AirPods Allowed?

Alaska Airlines

Yes

American Airlines

Yes

Notes: Cannot use during takeoff and when landing. Can be used with the airline's inflight entertainment app. 


Delta Airlines

Yes

Note: Cannot use during takeoff and when landing.

Envoy Air Yes
Frontier Airlines

Yes

Note: Cannot use during takeoff and when landing.

Hawaiian Airlines

Yes

Notes: Cannot use during takeoff and when landing. Can be used with the airline's inflight entertainment app. 

JetBlue Airways Yes
SkyWest
SkyWest Airlines
Yes
Southwest Airlines

Yes

Notes: Cannot use during takeoff and when landing. They can be used with the airline's inflight entertainment system. 


Spirit Airlines
Yes

United Airlines

Yes

Note: Can be used with the airline's inflight entertainment app in some flights.

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Kenya Smith's picture

Author Details

Kenya Smith

Kenya Smith is a Feature Web Writer for iPhone Life. She has a bachelor's degree in Strategic Communication and has written articles for two newspapers in her home state of Virginia. She also won first place in non-daily column writing for the 2019 and 2020 Virginia Press Association Awards.