How To Listen To Music On a Plane? ( 2026 Mind-Blowing Tricks )

Besides reading my favorite book, I’m always looking forward to discovering new songs on my flights. But how can you listen to music on a plane, and what options are available?

Here is a short answer before we dive deeper into more ways.

There are many ways to listen to music on a plane. You can download your favorite songs for offline listening, use streaming apps like Spotify, or listen to music through the airline’s inflight entertainment system. If your airline offers WiFi, you may also be able to stream music during the flight.

Let’s look at the different ways you can listen to music on a plane and how other travelers enjoy their favorite songs during flights.

Let’s dive right in.

TL;DR

  • You can listen to music on a plane, even without WiFi and offline.
  • You can download your favorite songs, albums, or playlists before your flight and play them offline.
  • Apps like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music can work well for offline listening.
  • You can use AirPods or Bluetooth headphones on most flights.
  • If your flight has WiFi, you may be able to stream music online.
  • Some airlines also offer music through their inflight entertainment systems.
  • Make sure to download enough music before your flight in case WiFi is unavailable or your flight is delayed.
Woman wearing headphones and listening to music on an airplane

Can You Listen to Music Offline on a Plane?

You can listen to your favorite songs without WiFi and offline while in airplane mode on Amazon Music.

You can download your favorite music and play them offline in the Amazon Music app by logging in to your account and choosing the songs you want to listen to during your flight.

Otherwise, Spotify works great on planes as well.

You can get a Spotify Premium membership, which will allow you to download songs to play offline without the need for WiFi.

What is good about Spotify is that you can listen to podcasts if you don’t want to listen to music anymore. You can purchase a month or two of Spotify and cancel whenever you want.

If you don’t want to use one of these apps,

one of the things I also like to do whenever I travel with my laptop is prepare a list of my favorite songs in a file. I usually do some kind of work or play while listening to my preferred tracks.

How to Download Music on the Amazon Music App

You can have Amazon Music on almost any device, including an iPhone, Android phone, or iPad.

  • When you log in, go to your app homepage and click on My Music.
  • You can either choose your favorite song, click on the dots shown on the screen, and choose Download.
  • When you click Download, the song will be added automatically to your downloaded list.
  • Downloaded songs will be marked on your list, and they will play offline whenever you click on one of them.

Can You Use Your Phone on a Plane to Listen to Music?

White wireless earbuds on a white background
Image courtesy of Amazon

However, I mostly use my laptop, but I have never been on a flight when I don’t use my phone to stream music.

The best way to listen to music on planes is on your phone.

You can either use an app or download your favorite music to a file. However, apps will provide you with more recent songs and choices.

If the WiFi is accessible on your flight, you can stream your favorite songs on the Spotify free app or any other streaming apps.

However, remember that free app options are always limited.

If you have some free time before your flight and have a laptop, you can also download some songs online, convert them into MP3 files, and play them during your flight.

Inflight entertainment is also a great option for listening to music on planes.

How to listen to music on a plane-03

You can also stream music via some airlines that have free inflight apps, like American Airlines, which permits passengers to stream Apple Music and listen to songs and playlists on any domestic flight equipped with Viasat satellite Wi-Fi, with no Wi-Fi purchase required.

hand wearing ring and wristwatch in front of plane window
Photo by kira schwarz on Pexels.com

Can You Listen to YouTube Music on a Plane?

If you have a YouTube membership, you are also able to download music and play it during your flight.

When turning on your mobile data, open YouTube and tap on your preferred songs to download them.

They may take some time to download, but it is a really good way to enjoy your favorite songs and clips while you are on your journey.

Can You Listen to Apple Music in Airplane Mode?

Yes, just like Spotify Premium and Amazon Music, Apple Music will permit you to listen to music in airplane mode when you download your favorite songs beforehand.

If you are an Apple Music subscriber, you can download music using your internet connection and play it offline on your flights.

To download tracks on Apple Music to play in airplane mode, you can just open your Apple Music app on your phone, tablet, or Android device.

Click on the song or playlist and tap Add to Library.

After you add the music to the library, you can now download it by clicking on Download.

When you are on your flight, you can easily access your downloaded playlist and songs.

What Are the Popular Music Apps to Use on a Flight?

Amazon Music
SoundCloud
Spotify
Google Play Music
Jamendo
YouTube
Napster
Deezer
MusicUp.
Some of the popular apps to use on your flight to listen to music

What Can You Listen to on an Airplane?

In case you wanted to use the airline’s inflight entertainment, there are limits to what you can listen to.

You can listen to pretty much everything you like on Amazon Music, Spotify, or any other apps mentioned above. However, I recommend downloading a long playlist before heading to the airport.

You can assemble a mix of the songs and tracks you like to enjoy in the sky, or this can even be an opportunity to discover some new songs and music categories. I like to listen to a few pop hits and classical music.

Final Thoughts: How to Listen to Music on a Plane?

To sum up, you can freely listen to music on planes by using apps or downloading your favorite tracks to your phone before your flight.

In addition to inflight entertainment, most airlines do offer either paid or free WiFi on board their airplanes, so you can access your favorite app or website and listen to your favorite songs.

Just remember that WiFi is not guaranteed with your airline (especially on low-cost airlines), so ensure that you always download songs and tracks to your phone or laptop, just in case.

I hope this helps.

Happy travels.

FAQs About Listening To Music On Planes

Can I Listen To Music On A Plane Without WiFi?

Yes you generally can listen to music without WiFi if you download your songs before your flight. Once they are downloaded, you can play them in airplane mode.

Can I Listen To Spotify On A Plane?

You can use Spotify on a plane if you download your music before the flight. You can then listen to your downloaded songs without WiFi.

Can I Listen To Spotify In Airplane Mode?

Yes. Spotify Premium users can download songs, albums, and playlists before the flight and listen to them in airplane mode.

Can You Use AirPods On A Plane?

Of course you can use AirPods on a plane to listen to music, Most airlines do not have any issues without using airports after take off.

Can I Use Bluetooth Headphones On A Plane?

Yes you can sue Bluetooth headphones on planes to listen to music.

Can I Connect Bluetooth Headphones To The Airplane Entertainment System?

Sometimes. Some newer airplane entertainment systems support Bluetooth headphones, but not all of them do. If Bluetooth is not available, you may need to use wired headphones.

Can I Listen To Music During Takeoff And Landing?

Usually, yes, if the airline allows you to use headphones and your device is in the required mode. Always follow the crew’s instructions during takeoff and landing.

Can I Listen To Downloaded Music Without Internet?

Downloaded music does not need an internet connection. This is one of the easiest ways to listen to music during a flight.

What Is The Best Music App For A Flight?

There is no single best app for everyone. Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music can all work well if you download your music before the flight.

How Much Music Should I Download Before A Flight?

this will depend on the length of your flight. For a few hours, a playlist of several hours of music should be enough. I also recommend downloading more than you think you will need in case your flight is delayed.

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Alyssa Chua