Airpods Pro 3 Active Noise Cancellation Issue in Airplanes

Is anybody having issues with Airpods Pro 3 Active Noise Cancellation in Airplanes?!


I got 3 flights this week and had the same problem in all of them.


Both earbuds, intermittently make eventual high pitch noises (like a mic feedback) depending on the position of the earbud.


I know we are supposed to grant that the earbud fits perfectly to our ears. I did the test several times and it was ok! Earbuds were fitting perfectly.


But even with a good fit, noises start discretely and then increase slowly until I have to position the earbuds again!


Even worse is trying to have a meal with these earbuds. When I start chewing those noises start and become so loud that I have to remove them to avoid a headache!


I’m really disappointed with that.


I had Airpods Pro 1 and 2 for a total of 6 years! Got at least 20 to 40 flights with them and never had any kind of issues.


Now I really miss my Airpods Pro 2 for flights!


Does anybody know what is happening?!

Posted on Sep 24, 2025 10:03 AM

Reply
19 replies

Oct 16, 2025 3:08 AM in response to fhypolito

Exactly the same issues. Multiple reports of this on Reddit or elsewhere. But Apple does not seem to acknowledge any issue. Had mine replaced but it did not change anything. Tried every ear tips in the plane to see if it changed it. It did not. This is a serious issue.

does not happen on the ground except when sneezing for example.

will return mine

Oct 20, 2025 7:45 PM in response to fhypolito

I’ve flown with my APP3’s at least 5 or 6 times now, and I get the feedback issue every time I fly. Came here to see if anyone else has had the issue hoping that maybe I got a dud pair.


It has gotten so bad that I’ve switched back to exclusively using my Pro 2’s when I fly. Which is a shame because the 3’s really do cancel the noise better, but it’s not worth dealing with the feedback issue. Can’t believe I’m saying it but I prefer using my older pair.

Nov 1, 2025 9:21 AM in response to fhypolito

I too have had the same issue on both recent flights. The airpods are supposed to protect my ears and instead they are hurting them. I have noticed it occurs soon after hitting the 10,000 feet altitude. I have tried all the fixes that others have stated, but it continues until we get higher in the air in my experience. I had the pro 2s and used them on many flights both long and short and NEVER had this happen. I am saddened by this as I wish I had not bought the pro 3s. I only wanted the translation option and didnt realize that there would be an update for the pro2s. Now, my son has my old ones and I am stuck with going on flights and not having workable earpods. I have another flight in a few weeks so I will try to not use them until 5 minutes passes the 10,000 mark and see if that works. Frustrating!

Oct 9, 2025 2:32 PM in response to thomasfromwethersfield

I did also, Both earbuds, intermittently make high pitch noises (like a mic feedback) depending on the position of the earbud. I also had multiple low frequency sound swhen trying to eat anything on the plane, even after I stopped eating. I eventualy had to remove them. Sucks on a 4-5 hour flight!!

Did the screeching stop once you got back on the ground?


Airpods Pro 3 Active Noise Cancellation Issue in Airplanes

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