I don't think they were ever "pretty strict" about electronic devices. Even if they were, they aren't now. There are no instructions to keep devices turned off until above 10K feet. Feel free to use the headphones whenever you'd like.Back in the old days, they were pretty strict about things like wireless mice. If you’re on a WiFi equipped plane, you should be okay above 10,000 feet, but I don’t think you should use Bluetooth gate-to-gate.
Delta’s published policy still states that WiFi is only allowed above 10,000 feet.I don't think they were ever "pretty strict" about electronic devices. Even if they were, they aren't now. There are no instructions to keep devices turned off until above 10K feet. Feel free to use the headphones whenever you'd like.
WiFi is only enabled on aircraft that have been modified and insulated to ensure that the wireless signal cannot interfer with the aircraft electronics. The small aircraft has most likely not been fitted with the equipment to allow in flight wireless operation.For what it's worth, my husband has been instructed not to use his bluetooth headphones (actually, the instructions were not to use bluetooth period) on our Air Canada Jazz flights between Quebec City and Montreal, and between QC and Toronto. Maybe it's because it's such a tiny plane? Our connecting flights on larger Air Canada flight did not have that restriction.
Well they only turn on their (delta's) wifi devices above 10K feet. If you have wifi turned on on the ground, you're not getting anywhere. They're not going seat to seat asking if you have your wifi radio on. That's why I'm saying they're not strict. It USED to be NO electronic devices could be turned on. I think that changed ~5 years ago.Delta’s published policy still states that WiFi is only allowed above 10,000 feet.
Well they only turn on their (delta's) wifi devices above 10K feet. If you have wifi turned on on the ground, you're not getting anywhere. They're not going seat to seat asking if you have your wifi radio on. That's why I'm saying they're not strict. It USED to be NO electronic devices could be turned on. I think that changed ~5 years ago.
DH and I both use our bluetooth headphones on Southwest, Delta and American from the time we board till the time we deplane (gate to gate) without incident. There are no warnings or announcements to not use bluetooth. Can't speak to other airlines but those 3 don't have issues or policies against itBack in the old days, they were pretty strict about things like wireless mice. If you’re on a WiFi equipped plane, you should be okay above 10,000 feet, but I don’t think you should use Bluetooth gate-to-gate.
DH and I both use our bluetooth headphones on Southwest, Delta and American from the time we board till the time we deplane (gate to gate) without incident. There are no warnings or announcements to not use bluetooth. Can't speak to other airlines but those 3 don't have issues or policies against it
No. Airplane mode turns off wifi and cellular signals. I don't know that it affects bluetooth.Generally speaking, there are announcements to place you’re electronic devices in airplane mode. Does a Bluetooth headset have an “airplane mode?”
Looks like the FAA allowed airlines to allow Bluetooth devices on WiFi enabled planes in 2013.
https://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=15254
I don't think they were ever "pretty strict" about electronic devices.
I may have skipped some steps or made some assumptions in there. The article states that the airline has to prove that the plane will not be affected by the electronic device. Generally, they’re going to do that by adding shielding to the plane’s electronics. That’s usually done when a plane is retrofitted for WiFi service. So, maybe I made to big of a leap in associating the two, but someone earlier did mention a restriction on a smaller, older plane. I’ve experienced different policies on planes that had not been fitted with WiFi, and it seems like a logical correlation to me.No, re read the article. Nowhere does it say you can only use bluetooth devices on Wifi enabled planes.
You can freely use bluetooth headphones an all major US airlines from gate to gate whether or not the plane has Wifi.