- 12 May, 2025
What is important for an enjoyable air travel experience? Of course, something that never lets you get bored in flight, and one of the key ingredients is peace. In-flight entertainment without any disturbance is something that almost every passenger looks for because it offers numerous ways of entertainment. Bluetooth Speakers also play an important role on flights, but they also bring out some serious concerns about them. Noise is always a point of concern, especially when it comes to travel, because you never know when it can become a source of irritation. Nowadays, many people carry Bluetooth speakers in the cabin as a personal item and play music, which raises questions about fellow passengers' comfort. Is it good to carry Bluetooth speakers on a flight?
Many times it has been seen that when someone is carrying and using a Bluetooth speaker, the offended party is advised to keep their ear closed or use headphones. Here, flights usually have quiet cabin policies, but do they have any policy regarding the allowance of Bluetooth speakers? A similar thing happened nearly two years ago, back in 2023, when a similar concern was shared on a public forum, "Travel Stack Exchange," where someone asked a question about the Bluetooth speakers on planes. The author quoted,
"Do some airlines (I wonder specifically in the EU, but probably it's a global thing) have explicit regulations that are applied systematically to avoid this? I ask specifically about flights, because you are somehow stuck there for some hours."
In many responses, the best reply confirms the rules by stating that several airlines implement rules for the use of Bluetooth devices on board, but typically not at the airport or lounge. In the discussion, one shared the example of "Hemisphere" magazine and United Airlines. The answer quotes, "Most (if not all) airlines will have either rules or policies that headphones are to be used whenever using such devices on board. Exactly where these rules/policies are stated will depend on the airline; however, as an example, United Airlines states the following in its 'Hemisphere' magazine that can be found on all flights:"
Many airlines apply such a policy that restricts the "USE" of devices that have Bluetooth or sound. The policy states, "Portable electronic device policy: All devices must be used with the sound off or with headphones at all times," and in favor of that, authors also quote, "As with all such rules, it is not down to other passengers to enforce them. Whilst there's nothing wrong with asking another passenger to put on headphones or turn the sound down, if they don't comply, then simply bring it to the attention of the flight attendants who will be aware of the airline's specific policies, and will almost certainly ask the other passenger to stop the noise."
In addition to this problem, there is another example that emphasizes the similar issues were discussed on Reddit, where a user asked similar things after having an American Airlines flight, "On an ORD to TPA flight, waiting to push back, the Flight Attendant just came on and announced that “we at American Air have a quiet cabin policy: if you’re watching or listening to anything, must use headphones or have volume off" (paraphrasing, but this was the core message). First time I’ve heard a policy be referenced." So many passengers also heard such announcements in the cabin in fact, once, a pilot also threaten a passenger for listening music loud inside the plane, saying, "Someone was listening to rap at full volume as we were pushing back a few weeks ago, and the pilot stopped the plane from spooling up, and came over the PA warning the guy that he would be removed from the plane if he did not cooperate after the FA had already warned him."
What does the policy say?
Several airlines' policies allow Bluetooth speakers, and there are some that do not. The three major concerns, regardless of an airline's social etiquette and polices for the carriage of Bluetooth Speakers, are mentioned below.
- Short-length radio signals are produced by Bluetooth Speakers that may cause interference with aircraft instruments.
- Portable mini Bluetooth speakers generally have rechargeable batteries made of lithium-ion, which are a risk factor for fire hazards during operation.
- Bluetooth speakers may interfere with detectors during security screening because of the parts they contain.
However, it is vital not to overlook the dangers of faulty batteries when dealing with electronic devices. So, as long as these issues are considered and the guidelines for such a type of electronic device are followed, the regulatory body considers it reasonably safe to use Bluetooth speakers in flight. Here is some general guidance that you can consider while planning to carry such devices.
- Consider the device's wattage information.
- Turn the device off if you find the seatbelt light on.
- Please keep it in your carry-on luggage.
- During security screening, you must tell about the device.
