Flight Attendants Say You Should Always Ask for This Free Item on a Plane

Key Points

• Flight attendants recommend using headphones or earbuds when watching videos, listening to music, or using personal electronic devices on planes.

• Many airlines offer complimentary wired headphones or earbuds, which passengers can request from flight attendants.

• United Airlines requires passengers to use headphones when listening to audio and may remove travelers who refuse to comply.

Even when flying in economy class, there are a handful of mid-flight freebies that passengers can expect during their journey. This includes snacks, cans of soda, basic medications, and first-aid supplies, as well as alcohol, pillows, blankets, and meals on longer flights. Many carriers even offer coloring books and activity sheets for children to keep them occupied, especially if complimentary in-flight WiFi and entertainment systems fail to do the job.

But there’s one thing that every traveler should ask for, according to flight attendants, and it’s usually offered freely: headphones or earbuds.

“Before the plane pulls back, we will often walk through the aisle and ask if anyone needs them,” an anonymous United Airlines flight attendant confirmed to Travel + Leisure. “It’s plane etiquette 101 to ensure that those around you aren’t bothered by preventable noise, especially if they are trying to rest, read, or sleep.”

Many domestic airlines make it a point to encourage the use of headphones or earbuds when using personal electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets. In fact, United Airlines recently made it a requirementand failure to do so could result in removal from an aircraft.

“Please, for the love of aviation gods, use some type of headphones or earphones while on a plane or in any public setting, for that matter,” said a Southwest Airlines flight attendant via email. He said he’s even loaned his personal earbuds to someone who left theirs behind.

Though most onboard, wired options will work with seatback screens, it’s always wise to travel with a spare set or a headphone jack adapter. While some seatback entertainment modules have the ability to connect by Bluetooth, it’s always safe to assume that most will require a single- or double-pronged cable, or a standard USB-C outlet.

“This is why it’s important to take advantage of this freebie,” stressed the United source. “We will have an exact match. Even though the audio quality may not rival Beats by Dre or your favorite brand, you’ll at least take comfort in knowing that it will work for the entire flight.”

For those in business class, headphones will always be waiting for passengers at their seats and are usually an upgraded, over-the-head version of what is offered in economy. The only catch is that they’re not meant to be taken home and will be useless beyond a flight, as they’re usually manufactured with a larger, specialized jack that is only compatible with in-flight systems.

In short, if you find yourself on a plane and realize that you accidentally left your headphones at home, don’t be afraid to ask a flight attendant to swoop in and provide backup. They also want you to enjoy the flight without disrupting your neighbors.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure