Using Bluetooth on a Plane: What You Need to Know

Bluetooth on Planes: Risks and Pitfalls

Passengers flying on an airplane are asked to put their smartphones and tablets in airplane mode. This disables all wireless connections, such as cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. However, Bluetooth is often needed on board—for example, to connect a smartphone or MP3 player to wireless headphones.

• Bluetooth is a wireless technology used to connect multiple devices over short distances. For example, you can stream an online radio station via a laptop and play it through an external Bluetooth speaker . The same principle often applies to hands-free systems in cars.
• On airplanes, all radio signals should be turned off to prevent interference with the aircraft’s radio signals. While there are no known serious incidents, it’s better to be safe than sorry. However, more and more airlines are making an exception for Bluetooth connections, since this is a short-range wireless technology with a maximum range of ten meters.
• If you’re allowed to use Bluetooth on the plane, first turn on Airplane Mode on your smartphone. This will also disable the Bluetooth connection. You can easily re-enable it later. This way, your smartphone is in Airplane Mode—with the exception of the Bluetooth function.
• Note: On smartphones running Android 10, all Bluetooth connections are disabled as soon as Airplane Mode is activated. It is not possible to manually re-enable Bluetooth as described above.
• Android 11 and Android 12, on the other hand, are designed to recognize in Airplane Mode that the Bluetooth connection is still actively in use. It will remain active despite Airplane Mode being enabled.

Which Airlines Allow Bluetooth Use

Whether or not you’re allowed to use Bluetooth on board depends on the airline. If you’re unsure, you should check directly with the airline. Below, we’ve listed how the major airlines handle Bluetooth use on board.

• Lufthansa: On this German airline, you can use Bluetooth without restriction throughout the entire flight, including takeoff and landing.
• TUIFly: Here, too, Bluetooth use is permitted during all phases of flight. However, during certain approach procedures, the crew may ask you to turn off Bluetooth.
• Ryanair: The Irish low-cost airline has allowed the use of Bluetooth devices on board since 2017.
• American Airlines: If you have received permission from the flight crew, you may use Bluetooth during the flight. During takeoff and landing, you are often asked to turn off wireless devices.
• Emirates: If you’re flying with Emirates, there will be an announcement during the flight indicating when you may use Bluetooth. You’ll often be required to turn off the feature during takeoff and landing.
• British Airways: On British Airways, Bluetooth headphones and similar devices may only be used during the flight, but not during takeoff and landing.