I took my son on his first cruise when he was just a few months old, and our family hasn't stopped cruising since.
14.10.2023 - 19:19 / thepointsguy.com / Jason Birnbaum
These days, wireless headphones have become a staple item on my packing list (and likely yours, too).
Being able to effortlessly listen to music, catch up on a podcast or finish a call makes me a more efficient traveler. No longer do I need to worry about cords getting tangled in my bag or forgetting to pack the right audio adapter.
Just pop on the headphones and viola ... except when you're on an airplane.
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Many airlines offer seatback screens, but just a handful support the ability to wirelessly pair your headphones to the entertainment system. This is a feature that I've been waiting for years to see, especially as wireless headphones have soared in popularity.
Well, there's some good news on that front: United Airlines announced on Thursday that more than 100 planes already sport this feature, and it'll become available on more than 800 jets by 2032.
Bluetooth connectivity has become increasingly important to travelers, many of whom now travel with their own devices.
United and Apple hosted a media event in San Francisco on Thursday to provide an update on Bluetooth connectivity and much more.
Timed to coincide with the recent launch of Apple's new second-generation AirPods Pro, United highlighted its new capabilities by showing how Apple's AirPods Pro worked with its new in-flight set-up. Personally, I swear by the AirPods Pro — but here's everything else you need to know from Thursday's event.
Every new and retrofitted United mainline domestic jet now features seatback screens with Bluetooth connectivity. While this feature initially launched in beta, it's now ready for prime time, according to Jason Birnbaum, United's chief information officer.
You'll find Bluetooth-enabled screens on the following jets: all Boeing 737 MAX 8s, some Boeing 737 MAX 9s, some Boeing 737-737-800s, some 737-900s, some Airbus A319s and some Airbus A320s.
During Thursday's media event, United and Apple demoed the Bluetooth connectivity on a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 9 parked in one of its hangars at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
There, Birnbaum welcomed a crowd of journalists and social media influencers before ushering the crowd onto the waiting jet to experience the feature firsthand.
Connecting your headphones to the TVs couldn't be simpler. Birnbaum said that during the beta period, United was focused on streamlining the customer experience, and that's exactly what the airline has done.
You'll find a Bluetooth logo at the bottom right of the home screen, and clicking it reveals the Bluetooth audio panel. Simply flip the switch to "on" and search for your device.
It should take just seconds after enabling pairing mode
I took my son on his first cruise when he was just a few months old, and our family hasn't stopped cruising since.
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