Testing Sony, Apple, and Sennheiser Headphones in Real Flight Conditions

In noisy airports and aircraft, critical headphone features include effective noise cancellation, long battery life, and comfort during extended wear. An expert conducted a practical test of four popular models to determine which is best suited for travel.

Apple AirPods Max 2 demonstrated excellent noise cancellation, particularly in the low-frequency range, effectively reducing aircraft engine noise. However, their weight and size became problematic during prolonged use—discomfort set in after just two hours. While Apple’s ecosystem enabled seamless device switching, the model’s physical limitations reduced its appeal for frequent flyers.

Sony WF-1000XM6 stood out for its compact design and robust functionality, including strong noise cancellation and long battery life. However, the earbud shape proved unsuitable for the tester—even with adjusted tips, they frequently fell out during conversations or chewing. This made them less practical for active use on the go, despite their technical advantages.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 emerged as the test leader, combining comfort, high-quality sound, and extended battery life. The headphones lasted several days without recharging, and their noise cancellation effectively handled in-flight background noise. The only drawback was inconvenient portability due to the lack of a folding mechanism—they took up too much space in travel bags.

Sony’s 1000X The Collexion special edition proved the most comfortable for extended wear, thanks to soft ear cushions and a lightweight design. While its noise cancellation was slightly weaker than the flagship WH-1000XM6, it excelled at suppressing human speech. Like the Sennheiser model, the absence of a folding mechanism was a downside for travelers prioritizing compactness.