Long haul plane entertainment

I can’t wear over the ear head phones, they make my ears too hot. I use AirPods when using my phone. I download movies and music in advance. I also bring wired headphones that can be used in the old style jack, and an adaptor for use with my iPhone. OneKer USB Type C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter, (2-Pack) USB C to Aux Female Audio Dongle Cable Cord Compatible with iPhone 15/15 Pro/15 Plus/15 Pro Max,iPad Pro,MacBook, Samsung Galaxy S23 S22 S21 https://a.co/d/i2RZAuj

I’ve seen so many people lose AirPods on planes that I bought these. I like my AirPods for the noise canceling feature, and I play relaxing music when trying to sleep, or to drown out crying kids. The last thing I want is for one of them to fall out when I’m sleeping.
6 Pack Ultra Strong Magnetic... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V7HRX5K?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

On my last trip, I tried using my AirPods with the plane’s screen by using a iFly, but I couldn’t get it to connect. The plane also said their screens could connect to my AirPods using Bluetooth, but that didn’t work either. I was happy to have the old fashioned wired headphones.

Use what's comfortable for you. I don't like the big headsets, they hurt my ears, and I can't fall asleep with them. I bring my own earbuds, the old- style ones (with wires) and plug them into the airplane outlets . I have various sets in an attempt to match the outlets .
There's a wide variety of entertainment options provided by the airlines now.
Have a great trip!

I prefer my beats wireless earbuds. On economy flights with inflight entertainment screens at the seat, I connect using Bluetooth with iFly. My husband prefers his Base over the ear noise cancelling headphones. Try to see what is comfortable for you.

Dianna,

My husband brings bluetooth earbuds and downloaded movies from Amazon & books on his iPad. Usually the plane has a few movies that he wants to see, also.

My goal is to pack very light - think one of those crazy people who weighs everything with a kitchen scale. LOL! I used to have a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, but they have worn out. I didn’t replace them - decided just to bring the cheap wired earphones with the old tiny postage stamp iPod with my favorite relaxing music that’s great for sleeping on the plane or riding the trains. If I was to lose my iPod, it wouldn’t be a big deal compared to losing my phone which is my camera.

I really try to sleep on the plane - somewhat comfortable in Comfort Plus seats, and short naps, so a few movies are all I need.

DH and I both use Bose noise cancelling sets. Mine are wired ear buds, because I'm paranoid about losing the wireless ones. DH uses an over the ear headset because of his hearing aids. We either plug them into the in flight entertainment or into our tablets, which we've downloaded with videos, music, and books.

Bring a set of cheap wired ear buds for the in flight entertainment system.

Does it matter what other people use to entertain themselves if you're used to reading a book?

I don't use anything. I ignore the "entertainment" provided, and either read a book or sleep. My wife watches movies most of the trip, using the headsets provided. I never suffer jetlag, she is usually useless for three days. I know correlation isn't causation, but still - you have to wonder.

As an ex professional musician I've never used in-ear headsets, except professionally monitored on stage. I was warned against them 25 years ago, and never overcome the phobia of hearing loss.

I always bring my noise cancelling headphones (they have an adapter for those weird airplane jack sockets), but I typically only use the airplane entertainment on 10-hour+ flights. Otherwise I just read, eat and try to sleep.

I can’t sleep or read on a plane, i use wired noise-cancelling earbuds plugged into the entertainment system which has been good on every airline i’ve flown. My son uses wire-less noise-cancelling earbuds which he swears by. I am in Paris now, my son is joining me soon, he is bringing me wire-less noise-cancelling earbuds for me for our flight back to SF together. I’m looking forward to using them, i don’t like wired ones, hard to move around when you’re plugged in.

Try some different styles of earbuds and earphones. I do not use them often, maybe only on long flights, and have tried a number of styles over the years.

Over the ear styles are nice for noise canceling, you either find them comfortable or not, but the, they can be bulky, meaning you need to lug them around for the duration of the trip.

For ear buds, in ear style, you have wired or wireless, and then the style of insert. Some are hard shells that fit into the ear, others have silicone pads that squeeze down and expand in your ear (like an ear plug).

Wired or wireless is up to you, but wireless require you to connect via Bluetooth, using your phone typically, wired, you just plug in.

Insert style is again a matter of comfort, I prefer the silicone, more comfortable for several hours of use, blocks out other noise better (I think).

Since you sound like you do not use earphones in your daily life, and would use these for just the flight, then I would advise against spending nearly a hundred dollars or more for wireless earbuds, or noise cancelling over the ear headphones. Try a couple styles of in-ear wired earphones, some with silicone some without. You can get good quality wired earbuds for around $20. The other plus is they will pack and stow away to almost nothing.

You do not mention what airline you are flying, but if Delta, the wired earbuds they hand out are pretty good quality and comfortable for me. I have about a half dozen sets stashed in different bags so I always have a set.

To me, good noise cancelling is a game changer.

For years, I used a pair of Bose wired noise cancelling ear buds. They were the only earbuds I could keep comfortably in my ears.

But then I got a new phone. It didn't have a headphone jack. So I bought a pair of over the ear bluetooth headphones because of the battery life. They were fine but bulky to carry with me for the entire trip. With the case, they weighed one pound. (The Bose earbuds with case weigh 3.5 ounces.)

I'm switching back to the Bose earbuds. To do this, I bought a small bluetooth receiver in which I plug the earbuds into and it receives the audio from my phone via bluetooth. The receiver is tiny and weighs about an ounce. The battery should last longer than any flight I plan to take.

If you decide to go with wireless earbuds, make sure they are comfortable enough to stay in your ear for hours at a time.

Also look at the battery life. Many wouldn't last an entire overseas flight. (One reason I chose over the ear headphones over wireless earbuds.)

I also bought a USB-C to headphone jack adapter but realized I night need to umplug it to charge my phone in-flight.

In addition to downloading content on your phone or tablet, you can usually check your airline's website to see what in-flight entertainment is currently offered.

I don't use anything. I ignore the "entertainment" provided, and either read a book or sleep. My wife watches movies most of the trip, using the headsets provided. I never suffer jetlag, she is usually useless for three days. I know correlation isn't causation, but still - you have to wonder.

Simon, on the flight over, I read a lot but can never get any sleep. However, after the first night at the hotel, I'm fine and no jet lag. Coming home, I also read but I'm useless for 3-4 days afterward due to jet lag. I don't think it has anything to do with whether you are reading or watching a movie. Some people can sleep on flights; others can't. And I'm in the second category unfortunately.

That said, I am planning to try some sleep meditation on my upcoming flight to London and see how it works. It's been very helpful for me at home, and I'm hoping it will help on the flight. Fingers crossed!

Remember that the airline will generally not cancel a flight because the inflight entertainment is not working...... So always be prepared to entertain yourself.

"I ignore the "entertainment" provided, and either read a book or sleep. My wife watches movies most of the trip, using the headsets provided. I never suffer jetlag, she is usually useless for three days. I know correlation isn't causation, but still - you have to wonder."

Nope, I read over and back and on my trip to Europe last Spring got myself so messed up circadian rhythm-wise that it took me a week to right myself. I used the Timeshifter app last August for a short 2-week trip and had no jet lag at all. I did not wind up reading much on the plane because my plan said to go to sleep quite soon after I boarded on my way over to Amsterdam, can't remember if I read on the way back or not. Still I have my iPad Mini with the Kindle app so I can read in the airports. You might suggest the Timeshifter to her for next time.

Mardee! I do usually use my sleep meditation program when I try to sleep on the plane. Last summer there was a thread that had a link to a headband with earbuds in it and I might investigate that for my trip in the fall.

To the OP, nope, never watch movies and try not to have to see the screens from my neighbors on the plane. iPad Mini with the Kindle app and enough books in my TBR pile (to be read, lol) that I won't run out for years.

Ha, there was a time a few years ago where I was flying trans-Atlantic at least a few times a year. On one of the trips I got a little too reliant on the in-flight entertainment options. Just after takeoff I discovered the system was down, and I hadn't packed even a magazine of my own. After about 45 minutes I was comtemplating walking laps of the cabin just to keep myself occupied when the plane's system finally rebooted. Lesson learned. Now I usually carry an assortment of entertainment options to cater towards whatever my whims may be at the time, including at least one book/magazine in case I forget to charge my ipad/phone. Most streaming services allow you to download content, so I usually load up my ipad with several movies/tv shows. If for no other reason, I'd rather watch a show on my larger ipad screen with full HD resolution than on a worn out 10 year old seat back screen.

I used to use a nice set of over the ear sony noise cancelling headphones, but I found the over the ear designs don't work as well with the arms of my glasses (let in more ambient noise), and created pressure points over my ears. Now I have a pair of ipods that work great for me (and they fit in my pocket rather than lugging around the big headphones). I also carry a backup pair of wired earbuds I can plug in just in case there is something on the plane's system I want to watch - live tv sports options are becoming more widely available on flights. I was able to watch NFL Redzone during a Sunday flight a couple months ago.

If i fly an A300 series, or Dremliner, i have not jet lag. If i don’t, i have terrible jet lag for days. For me, it’s all about the plane.

Mardee, i took my normal sleep med for a flight to Paris once and regretted it. It made me feel very drugged but i still could not sleep. Aargh. But that’s just me, might work well for you.

I use a cheap pair of Sony noise canceling wired ear buds for the entertainment system (I think they were $10 at Target) and I got a pair of AirPod Pros shortly before the trip I took last month. I have very small ears and need something that has silicone (?) tips with different sizes to choose from. What they provide on flights won’t fit me. I was concerned about losing an AirPod on the flight if it came out of my ear so I bought this to secure them. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08F3ZYXLV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

Mardee! I do usually use my sleep meditation program when I try to sleep on the plane. Last summer there was a thread that had a link to a headband with earbuds in it and I might investigate that for my trip in the fall.

Oh, good! I'm definitely trying it this trip! Thanks, Pam!

Mardee, i took my normal sleep med for a flight to Paris once and regretted it. It made me feel very drugged but i still could not sleep. Aargh. But that’s just me, might work well for you.

Susan, thanks for the warning! I admit that I've thought about taking some ibuprofen PM or something similar, but was worried that it would do the same thing you're talking about. Whenever I take that stuff, I do feel a bit groggy in the morning. So it's probably not worth it. Hopefully sleep meditation will work - it does wonders for me at home!

Thanks all for the experienced advice
Very helpful