While most airlines allow the use of personal electronic devices (PEDs) during all phases of flight, policies regarding the use of Bluetooth-enabled devices differ, and technology to use Bluetooth with in-flight entertainment systems is only in the early stages of development. So, can you use Bluetooth headphones on Delta?
Delta is testing Bluetooth connectivity in the first-class cabin on the A321neo, where Bluetooth headphones can be paired with the in-flight entertainment system. Delta wants to ensure the technology is safe before rolling it out on a wider scale, either on a fee-for-service or free basis.
Let’s take a closer look at the potential to use Bluetooth headphones on Delta flights, how to connect your headphones, and whether you have to pay to use the feature.
Do Delta Flights Have Bluetooth Headphones?
Avid flyers have been asking airlines to offer Bluetooth headphones for years. The hope is that airlines will eventually catch on and start offering the service. As of now, however, Delta is the only US airline that is on course to offer wireless headphones. The airline is currently testing the technology in first class on the A321neo plane.
If the test is successful, it means that passengers will be able to connect their AirPods and other wireless headphones to the in-flight entertainment system and enjoy a hands-free experience.
The test is being conducted in the first-class cabin, and the airline hasn’t yet announced plans to roll out the feature on a broader scale. The Airbus A321neo comes with 20 first-class recliners fitted with 13-inch HD screens.
The screens are equipped with Bluetooth, and passengers can use them to mirror their mobile devices. Before the feature can be made available to all passengers, it must undergo comprehensive testing, especially given concerns about wireless transmissions disrupting a plane’s avionics.
How to Connect Bluetooth Headphones to Delta’s In-Flight Entertainment
Connecting your Bluetooth headphones to Delta’s in-flight entertainment is easy. All you need to do is navigate to the screen’s bottom right corner and select the Bluetooth icon. Once you select the icon, a list of available devices will be displayed. Select your headphones from the list, and you’ll be connected.
For AirPods, the process is slightly different. You need to go to the circular white button at the back of the charging case and hold it for a few seconds.
Once the LED flashes white, you can connect your AirPods to the in-flight entertainment system. It may take a few seconds for the connection to be established, but once it does, it should be smooth sailing from then on.
The only downside of using Bluetooth with the inflight entertainment system is that you won’t be able to use the volume control feature on the headset. So you have to rely on the volume control systems in the inflight entertainment system, which can be a bit of a hassle.
Does It Cost Extra to Connect Your Headphones on a Delta Flight?
If you’re flying in first class on the new Airbus A321neo, you’ll be able to use your own Bluetooth headphones to connect to the in-flight entertainment system at no additional cost. For everyone else, there’s no word yet on whether or not this will be a fee-based service.
Given that many airlines already charge for in-flight entertainment, it’s possible that Delta will choose to follow suit and charge passengers for the use of Bluetooth headphones.
Alternatively, Delta could use this feature as a competitive advantage and offer it as a free perk for all passengers, regardless of class. However, nothing has been announced yet, so we’ll have to wait and see what the airline decides.
Can Anyone Use This Feature?
This feature is currently in testing and is only available on first-class seats of Delta’s Airbus A321neo aircraft. The feature hasn’t yet been made available to the other classes or other aircraft in the fleet, but given the popularity of AirPods and other wireless headphones, it seems likely that Delta will eventually offer this feature across its fleet.
Delta’s Airbus is set to roll out the Bluetooth feature in its A330-900neos and Boeing 767-400s in the coming years.
Do You Need Special Headphones?
No, any Bluetooth headphones will work with Delta’s in-flight entertainment system. This includes popular options like the Apple AirPods (on Amazon), Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones (on Amazon), Jabra Elite 65t True Wireless Earbuds (on Amazon), and Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones (on Amazon).
If you’re not sure if your headphones are Bluetooth-enabled, just look for the Bluetooth logo on the box or in the owner’s manual. Most modern headphones are Bluetooth-compatible, so you shouldn’t have any trouble connecting yours to the seat-back screen.
What Are the Benefits of Using Bluetooth Headphones on Flights?
There are a few benefits of using Bluetooth headphones on flights:
- No need to carry wired headphones: If you’re like most people, you probably don’t want to carry around an extra pair of wired headphones just for use on flights. With Bluetooth, you can simply connect your existing wireless headphones to the in-flight entertainment system and be good to go.
- Better sound quality: Bluetooth headphones tend to have better sound quality than their wired counterparts. This is because Bluetooth headphones can transmit data at a higher bitrate than most wired options. As a result, you’ll enjoy richer and more detailed sound when using Bluetooth headphones on flights.
- No need to untangle wires: Let’s be honest, no one likes dealing with tangled wires. With Bluetooth headphones, you can avoid the hassle of untangling wires whenever you want to use them. Simply connect your headphones to the in-flight entertainment system and enjoy your flight.
Regardless of whether Delta chooses to charge for this service, it’s still an excellent option for those who prefer to use their headphones while flying.
What Else Do You Need to Know About the New Bluetooth Feature?
If you want to use the new Bluetooth feature, your flight must be aboard the Airbus A321neo aircraft. This is currently the only aircraft in Delta’s fleet with the required technology.
The A330-900neo and 767-400 are expected to offer the feature in the future, but no timeline has been announced yet.
In addition to wireless audio, the new Bluetooth feature also allows passengers to mirror their phone’s display on the seat-back screen. This can be useful for playing games, watching videos, or working on presentations.
Unfortunately, the volume control on the headphones won’t work when connected to the in-flight entertainment system. Instead, you’ll have to use the volume controls on the seat-back screen.