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Flying This Summer? Why You Shouldn't Forget Your Old-School Headphones

May 27, 2019
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3 min read
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Flying This Summer? Why You Shouldn't Forget Your Old-School Headphones
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As the summer travel season kicks into high gear, it is time to repack carry-on bags with all the newest electronics and gadgets for your next trip.

But travelers have increasingly found themselves on board with headphones that aren't compatible with their airline's inflight entertainment system. The problem? Airline systems haven't kept pace with the evolution of consumer electronics.

Starting with the iPhone 7, Apple killed off the traditional headphone jack. Google followed with the Pixel line and other manufacturers have joined the party.

As a result, consumers now have a high chance of owning headphones that do not have the traditional 3.5mm connector necessary for using legacy audio systems on airplanes. Airlines often have headphones available for purchase, but they are low quality and unlikely to be worth keeping after the trip. If you show up on board with newer headsets (including Bluetooth headphones), expect to be disappointed.

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For those in love with their AirPods or other Bluetooth headphones, there may be some light at the end of the tunnel. For years, manufacturers have insisted that integrating that technology into every seat on an aircraft would be too challenging. But that's begun to change; multiple vendors are now offering solutions. The three largest players -- Panasonic Avionics, Thales and Safran Aerosystems -- all have a version of their inflight entertainment systems that allows customers to pair personal Bluetooth devices to screens at their seats.

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Initial implementations of these new Bluetooth connections show a lot of promise.

The bad news? These new systems will take years to be adopted by airlines and installed in large numbers of planes. Safran's first installation is slated for later in 2020 while the others have not yet announced any timing for installation. Retrofit specialist IFPL also has an option that allows airlines to add a Bluetooth connection to the jack in the armrest, saving cost and time for airlines that want to offer the connection now. The product was just introduced last month.

Airlines will catch up to the latest technologies eventually, maybe even before more new technology replaces the current state of the art. Until that happens, however, travelers must be prepared with older IFE options to ensure a happy trip.

Featured image by Getty Images

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
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Rewards Rate

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.