Headphones on Airplanes

[TromboneAl]

I haven't been on a plane for years. What's the current status regarding headphones? Do they rent them to you? Can I take my own walkman headphones?

 

[Sheryl]

Yes, definitely take your own.

They now SELL them to you for $5 if you don't have your own.

 

[Danny]

I haven't been on a plane for years. What's the current status regarding headphones? Do they rent them to you? Can I take my own walkman headphones?

I bring my noise-canceling ones with my cd player

 

[BigMoneyJim]

I've been flying a lot the past 5 years but only on short trips (2-3 hrs). I haven't seen in-plane audio systems during that time. Last time I was on a plane with an audio system they were still using the air tube headphones, and I don't know if you can buy those before going to the airport. Do planes have something different now?

With portable MP3 and DVD players I just bring my own entertainment and headphones now. A movie makes the flight go much faster, but I tend to watch kids movies because I don't know who I'll be sitting next to, and a surprising number of movies are not appropriate for general audiences.

 

[TromboneAl]

I was always amazed that planes had those air tube audio systems. World War I technology ("full speed ahead captain!"). I figured that they used those just so people couldn't bring their own headphones.

 

[Sheryl]

The planes I've been on recently have had jacks for both the two-pronged tube style that they sell/rent and the standard walkman/IPod style.

You can listen to the 8 channels of canned music, the movie/tv or the air traffic control with either of them.

 

[Jay_Gatsby]

Some airlines rent them, others give them away for free.  OTOH, I'd be wary of the headphones due to not knowing whose ears they've been on during previous flights.  Don't let the plastic bag they remove them from fool you.  Talk about unsanitary.

Also, as someone else mentioned, you're better off with bringing your own pair of noise-cancelling headphones.  Most headphones don't cancel out the sound of the engines, which are VERY loud in the cabin (most people don't realize it, but I do when I have to turn the volume up on my MP3 player a couple of notches just to hear music over the sound of the engines).

 

[CyclingInvestor]

you're better off with brining your own pair of noise-cancelling headphones

I don't think this would work out well

 

[Mountain_Mike]

The last time I flew (2004) California to Maui, they gave us plug in (electric, not tube) ear plugs. They were disposable, and had standard 1/8" stereo plugs. You could either use them, or your own walkman headphones.

 

[KB]

I flew Delta this summer and they sold the headphones. However, someone had left a pair behind in the magazine pouch so I took them for our use. The plug was strange, probably only works on Delta. I'd probably take my own player and headphones. Or you can buy 1 set on your trip, and reuse.

 

[Eagle43]

On the trip TO Europe couple of weeks ago, AA rented them. On the way BACK, got them for free. Dunno why!

 

[Jay_Gatsby]

I don't think this would work out well

Probably not. Typo fixed. Do you disagree with bringing your own headhphones?

 

[CyclingInvestor]

Probably not. Typo fixed. Do you disagree with bringing your own headhphones?

Of course not. I am not anxious to replace whatever is in my
ears with whatever was in those of my fellow passengers. The
noise cancellation feature of a nice set of earphones is also
pretty much a requirement for me, as I can barely hear my
own music with my MP3 player's normal earbuds over the
background jet noise.

 

[LOL!]

Check in online, print out your boarding pass and also print out a certificate for free headphones. Nobody pays the $5 for headphones anymore. And the attendants don't collect them anymore either.

 

[Nords]

Can I take my own walkman headphones?

We bought $25 pairs of Circuit City battery-powered noise-cancelling headphones, just the right shape for leaning your head alongside the window before you conk out.

But make sure you unplug them from the audio feed first...