You settle into your seat, open the case, and the seatback screen wants a wired headphone plug. AirPods have no cable, and most in-flight systems still send audio only through a 3.5mm jack.
There are three ways around it: a Bluetooth adapter, the seatback screen's own Bluetooth, or the airline app on your iPhone. AirPods Max add a fourth option, a cable.
In this guide you'll learn how to use AirPods on a plane with or without an adapter, how to connect them to the plane's entertainment screen, how to fly with AirPods Max, and whether the AirFly Pro 2 or AirFly SE is the better adapter.
TL;DR
Easiest fix: plug a Bluetooth transmitter like AirFly Pro 2 ($59.99) into the seatback jack and pair your AirPods to it.
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Without an adapter: look for a Bluetooth icon on the seatback screen. United and some Delta and Emirates aircraft let you pair AirPods directly.
No screen Bluetooth: stream the airline's movies to your iPhone over in-flight Wi-Fi and use AirPods as usual.
AirPods Max: use Apple's USB-C to 3.5mm cable (or Lightning to 3.5mm on the Lightning model) for wired audio.
Airplane mode: turn Bluetooth back on in Control Center. Your iPhone remembers that next time.
AirFly Pro 2 in a seatback headphone jack. Image: Twelve South
Can you use AirPods on a plane?
Yes. Airlines allow Bluetooth headphones once the cabin crew permits electronic devices, and airplane mode on an iPhone leaves Bluetooth available.
The problem is the entertainment system. Most seatback screens only output audio through a wired 3.5mm jack (sometimes a two-prong jack), and AirPods cannot plug into either.
Method 1: Use AirPods on a plane with a Bluetooth adapter (AirFly Pro 2)
A Bluetooth transmitter plugs into the headphone jack and sends the audio to your AirPods. AirFly Pro 2 is the best-known option, with up to 25 hours of battery and room for two pairs of headphones.
AirFly Pro 2Use AirPods with airplane screens and other headphone jacks.Visit WebsiteAirFly Pro 2 bridges a 3.5mm audio connection and Bluetooth, letting AirPods work with sources that lack wireless headphone support. The white adapter also operates as a receiver, so an iPhone can send audio to a suitable wired stereo or another AUX-equipped system.
- Transmitter mode sends audio from a headphone jack to Bluetooth headphones such as AirPods.
- Connect two headphone pairs for shared listening from a single audio source.
- Dedicated pairing buttons, volume controls, and mute make common adjustments accessible.
- Receiver mode brings Bluetooth audio to a compatible speaker or stereo with an AUX input.
- More than 25 hours of rated battery life and USB-C charging support longer travel sessions.
It is useful for flights, gym screens, and older audio equipment where your usual headphones or phone cannot connect directly. Check that the source has a suitable audio jack; codec features such as aptX Adaptive require compatible headphones and do not apply to AirPods.Visit Website
How to connect AirPods to AirFly Pro 2
Step 1: Charge AirFly Pro 2 before the flight. A full charge over USB-C takes up to two hours.
Step 2: Make sure the side switch is set to TX (transmit) mode.
Step 3: Turn it on. On first use it starts in pairing mode. Otherwise, hold PAIR 1 for 4 seconds until the light blinks amber and white.
Step 4: Put both AirPods in the case and open the lid. Press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the status light flashes white. On AirPods 4, double-tap the front of the case instead.
Step 5: Wait for the PAIR 1 light to stay on for 10 seconds, then plug AirFly into the seatback jack.
AirFly Pro 2 is small enough to keep in a pocket between flights. Image: Twelve South
Turn the volume down on the seatback screen first, then raise it slowly. Double-click the minus button to mute, and AirFly reconnects to the last two headphones automatically on your next flight.
How to share audio with two pairs of AirPods
Hold PAIR 2 for 4 seconds with the second set in pairing mode. Both of you then hear the same movie from one screen.
Dual pairing lets two people share one seatback screen. Image: Twelve South
Do you need the two-prong airline adapter?
Some older aircraft, mostly on international routes, use a two-prong jack. The AirFly Pro 2 Deluxe adds the International Airline Adapter and a travel bag for those seats.
AirFly Pro 2 with its travel bag and charging cable. Image: Twelve South
Method 2: How to use AirPods on a plane without an adapter (seatback Bluetooth)
Newer seatback screens can pair Bluetooth headphones directly. United offers it on select flights, Delta has it in first class on some A321neo aircraft with more planned for 2026, and Emirates supports it on newer aircraft.
How to connect AirPods to plane entertainment (United example)
Step 1: Disconnect your AirPods from your iPhone in Settings > Bluetooth, or they will reconnect to your phone instead of the screen.
Step 2: Tap the Bluetooth icon at the bottom right of the seatback toolbar and turn on Bluetooth audio.
Step 3: Put your AirPods in pairing mode, as in Step 4 above.
Step 4: Select your AirPods when they appear. If they do not show up after 10 seconds, tap Refresh list, or turn Bluetooth audio off and on again.
United seatback screens with Bluetooth audio connect one headset per seat. Image: United
Only one audio device can connect to each screen, and the headphones unpair automatically when the flight ends. If your seat has no Bluetooth icon, use Method 1 or Method 3.
Method 3: Watch in-flight entertainment on your iPhone with AirPods
Many airlines stream their movie library to your own device over in-flight Wi-Fi, usually through the airline's app or a captive portal page. Download the app before you board.
Your AirPods stay connected to your iPhone as normal. Shows you download from your own streaming apps before the flight work the same way, with no seatback system involved.
How to use AirPods Max on a plane
AirPods Max work wirelessly with the methods above, but they can also go wired. That suits long flights because a wired connection skips Bluetooth pairing entirely.
AirPods Max 1 (Lightning): use Apple's Lightning to 3.5mm Audio Cable.
AirPods Max 1 (USB-C) and AirPods Max 2: use Apple's USB-C to 3.5mm Audio Cable ($39).
Apple's USB-C to 3.5mm cable turns AirPods Max into wired headphones. Image: Apple
Lossless and ultra-low latency audio on the USB-C models only work over a USB-C connection to an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, not through the 3.5mm cable.
AirFly Pro 2 vs AirFly SE: Which adapter should you buy?
AirFly Pro 2
AirFly SE
Price
$59.99
$34.99
Battery
Up to 25 hours
Up to 20 hours
Headphones at once
Two
One
Receiver mode (car AUX)
Yes, TX/RX switch
No
Charging
USB-C, usable while charging
USB-C, usable while charging
Two-prong airline adapter
Deluxe version
Sold separately
Pick AirFly SE if you fly alone and want the cheapest fix. Pick AirFly Pro 2 if you travel with someone, want longer battery, or also want to stream your phone to a car stereo.
How to keep AirPods connected in airplane mode
Airplane mode turns off Bluetooth by default. Open Control Center and tap Bluetooth to turn it back on, and your iPhone keeps it on the next time you use airplane mode.
FAQ
Can you use AirPods on a plane without an adapter?
Yes, if the seatback screen has a Bluetooth icon, or if you watch the airline's entertainment on your iPhone. Otherwise you need a Bluetooth transmitter.
Why won't my AirPods show up on the plane screen?
They are usually still connected to your phone. Disconnect them in Settings > Bluetooth, put them in pairing mode, and tap Refresh list.
Can you use AirPods Max on a plane?
Yes. Use Bluetooth like other AirPods, or plug in Apple's 3.5mm audio cable for wired mode.
Is AirFly Pro 2 worth it over AirFly SE?
If you fly with a partner or want 25 hours of battery, yes. For solo travel, AirFly SE covers the basics for less.
Does AirFly work with AirPods Pro noise cancellation?
Yes. Noise cancellation runs on the AirPods themselves, so it works with any audio source, including AirFly.
Verdict
For most flyers, a Bluetooth transmitter is the reliable answer, because most seats still only have a headphone jack. AirFly Pro 2 is the one to get if you share a screen or fly often.
If your airline has seatback Bluetooth, you can skip the adapter. For AirPods Max, the $39 cable is the simplest option of all.
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