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The Next Generation of Inflight Noise Cancelling Has no Headphones

April 04, 2019
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3 min read
Panasonic Waterfront Business Class Seat
The Next Generation of Inflight Noise Cancelling Has no Headphones
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In a quiet nod to a better aircraft experience, Panasonic recently introduced its newest Active Noise Control technology, which can reduce cabin noise without the need for headphones.

TPG was among the first to test the new technology at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. Panasonic built a special sound booth complete with full-size, business-class seats to show how they are using sound and light technology to help passengers achieve the optimal rest environment at 35,000 feet.

David Bartlett, Panasonic Avionics chief technology officer, explained that traditional noise-canceling headphones can work well to block noise for many passengers but headphones make sleeping on a plane uncomfortable — unless you are upright or on your back.

So Panasonic sound engineers developed technology that allows the noise to be canceled by predicting and blocking the loud noise from aircraft engines.

Unwanted noise is replaced with ambient white noise and other soothing sounds, by strategically placing speakers around the cabin to combat the engine sound during flight.

The Panasonic stand at the Aircraft Interiors Expo trade fair in Hamburg (Photo by Christian Charisius/picture alliance via Getty Images)

My experience in a business-class seat in Panasonic's sound lab allowed me to turn the noise canceling in the cabin on and off with the push of a button. The high-end sounds of the engine simulator were definitely diminished; unfortunately, the low-end sounds were still prevalent.

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Panasonic also adds sounds to the sleep cycle, at the same time as canceling unwanted ones -- birds chirped as the sun rose through special mood lighting and the experience was not unlike a gentle, though rapid, sunrise.

For passengers in enclosed suites like the new Emirates 777 Suite the news is even better. This technology adapts well to the high walls of a suite and can theoretically be controlled by passengers adjusting noise-canceling speakers within the suite itself, rather than around the cabin.

The bad news is that this technology won't be coming to a coach cabin anytime soon. Speakers must be positioned in the cabin in such a way that passengers crammed into window seats underneath speakers won't benefit from the noise-canceling technology.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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  • $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.