Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Soft, low-pressure fit and top-tier ANC, with 3.5 mm and USB-C wired options.
- Comfort
- 3.5 mm + USB-C
- 30 h
Audio
The best noise-cancelling headphones for flying
Best noise-cancelling headphones for flying: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). Why it wins: Soft, low-pressure fit and top-tier ANC, with 3.5 mm and USB-C wired options. Also see best budget for travel: Soundcore Space One; best for small bags: Apple AirPods Pro 3.
On a plane, comfort over many hours, a cable option for seat-back screens, and battery that outlasts a long-haul flight matter more than audiophile detail. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is our pick for long flights; the Soundcore Space One rates 40 hours with ANC on a budget; AirPods Pro 3 suit iPhone owners who travel with only a small bag.
Based on RTINGS · Bose · Soundcore +1 more
Which one should you buy?
Soundcore Space One
Rated 40 hours with ANC on, so it outlasts multi-leg trips without charging.
- 40 h ANC
- Folds flat
- LDAC
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Pocketable ANC earbuds that are easier to sleep in than over-ears.
- Earbuds
- Strong ANC
- iPhone
We don't list prices because they change daily; Amazon shows the current price and stock when you click. We earn a commission on purchases, which never decides a pick. How we choose.
The short answer: Long-haul: Bose QC Ultra 2nd Gen for comfort plus wired options. Budget or multi-leg trips: Soundcore Space One (40 h with ANC rated). Carry-on only, iPhone: AirPods Pro 3.
This is a focused guide. For the full category with every pick, read the best noise-cancelling headphones.
How do the top headphones for flying compare?
Swipe the table sideways to see all three →
| Spec | Best for long flightsBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Best budget for travelSoundcore Space One | Best for small bagsApple AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noise cancelling | Excellent | Very good for the price | Excellent |
| Battery | Up to 30 h (Immersive off) | Up to 40 h ANC on (rated) | See Apple specs |
| Wired option | 3.5 mm and USB-C audio | 3.5 mm | No (Bluetooth only) |
| Style | Over-ear, folds | Over-ear, folds flat | In-ear with case |
| Best for | Long-haul flights | Budget, long trips | iPhone users, carry-on only |
| Price & stock | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Why pick Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)?
Over a 10-hour flight, comfort decides whether you keep headphones on. The QC Ultra 2’s soft cushions and gentle clamp are its best feature for travel, and its cancellation handles low engine drone very well.
For in-flight entertainment you can plug in with a 3.5 mm cable (two-prong seat jacks need an adapter), and with a USB-C laptop or tablet you can listen over USB-C.
Rated battery is 30 hours with Immersive Audio off, enough for most long-haul trips with a charge in between.
Great if you
- Fly long-haul often
- Find most headphones press too hard
- Watch seat-back entertainment
Skip it if you
- Pack very light
- Want the cheapest option
- Need LDAC
Key specs
- Battery
- Up to 30 hours (rated)
- Audio
- Bose Immersive Audio
- Design
- Foldable
- Generation
- 2nd Gen (2025)
- Color tested listing
- White Smoke
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Opens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon Why pick Soundcore Space One?
The Space One’s travel case is its battery: Soundcore rates up to 40 hours with noise cancelling on, which covers a long itinerary with layovers and the trip home without hunting for an outlet.
Cancellation is not quite at Bose or Sony level but handles cabin noise well for the money, and it folds flat to slip into a backpack.
At a fraction of flagship prices, it is also less painful to lose or damage on the road.
Great if you
- Want the most battery
- Are on a budget
- Worry about losing headphones while traveling
Skip it if you
- Want the very best ANC
- Want maximum comfort
- Want USB-C audio
Key specs
- Battery
- Up to 40 h with ANC (rated)
- Codec
- LDAC Hi-Res wireless
- Controls
- App with EQ
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- Maker
- Anker (Soundcore)
Soundcore Space OneOpens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon Why pick Apple AirPods Pro 3?
Earbuds are the better choice if you sleep against a headrest or window, where over-ears get pushed around. AirPods Pro 3 have strong cancellation and five tip sizes including XXS for a good seal.
They fit in a pocket, and the case charges over USB-C, which simplifies packing for iPhone owners.
There is no wired option, so seat-back entertainment needs a Bluetooth transmitter or the airline’s Bluetooth pairing where available. Battery per charge is lower than over-ear headphones; check Apple’s current figures.
Great if you
- Use an iPhone
- Want to sleep on flights
- Travel with one small bag
Skip it if you
- Want wired seat-back audio
- Use Android
- Want all-day battery from one charge
Key specs
- Chip
- Apple H2
- Features
- ANC, Transparency, heart-rate sensing, Live Translation
- Hearing
- Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features (supported regions)
- Charging
- USB-C
- Model
- MFHP4LL/A
Apple AirPods Pro 3Opens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon What should you look for in headphones for flying?
Aircraft noise is mostly low-frequency drone, the kind ANC is best at. That makes these the details that matter.
Comfort over hours
Clamp force and cushion depth matter more than sound signature on a long flight.
Battery vs. flight length
Add up the whole journey, including delays. Rated figures are best case.
Wired backup
A 3.5 mm cable lets you use seat-back screens and keeps playing if the battery dies on many models. Older planes use two-prong jacks that need an adapter.
Pack size
Folding over-ears take bag space; earbuds go in a pocket.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)Opens Amazon; the live price and stock are shown there.
Check price on Amazon Frequently asked questions about headphones for flying
Are noise-cancelling headphones worth it for flying?
Yes, for most travelers. ANC cuts the low engine drone, so you can listen at lower volume and arrive less tired.
Can I use Bluetooth headphones on a plane?
Most airlines allow Bluetooth in flight mode once in cruise. Follow crew instructions.
How do I connect to seat-back entertainment?
With a 3.5 mm cable (plus a two-prong adapter on some planes), a Bluetooth transmitter, or the airline’s built-in Bluetooth where offered.
Do noise-cancelling headphones help with ear pressure?
Not with pressure changes themselves. Swallowing, yawning or special earplugs help with that.
Over-ear or earbuds for flying?
Over-ear for comfort and battery on long flights; earbuds for sleeping and packing light.
How did we pick these headphones for flying?
We started from our main noise-cancelling headphones guide and wireless earbuds guide, then re-ranked the picks for air travel using manufacturers’ battery, port and design specifications and RTINGS’ noise-isolation measurements.
We have not hands-on tested these products; we compare published specifications, independent measurements and manufacturer documentation, and we update this page when models change. Read the full methodology.
What sources did we use?
- Bose: QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Soundcore: Space One (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Apple: AirPods Pro 3 (accessed October 23, 2026)
- RTINGS: noise-cancelling headphone measurements (accessed October 23, 2026)