Travel Technology - Cheapest place to purchase double prong headphone adapter?

I was recently on a CO flight, where I managed to damage not one, but TWO double prong headphone adapters. This happened because on the 738's I was on, the headphone jack is on the inside of the armrest, not at the end of is, but that's besides the point...

I now need to purchase a few double prong headphone adapters before my next flight. I know the actual adapters are cheap, but shipping will cost 10 times as much if I order online.

Where can I purchase a few adapters cheaply, either online (with free/reduced shipping) or at a brick-n-mortar store?

Thanks,
Bostonbali

I bought mine at Office Depot.

Radio Shack - definately online; probably in stores.

Radio Shack's is 42-2495 (http://www.radioshack.com/sm-aircraft-2-adapter-1-8-stereo-jack-to-2-1--pi-2103860.html). This is a Y-cable with the two monophonic plugs on different wires, rather than the all-in-one block you usually see. They sell it in-store.

Office Depot's item is more conventional and is only $2.99. It's item #861248 (http://www.officedepot.com/textSearch.do?uniqueSearchFlag=true&Ntt=861248&x=28&y=18).

I've found these items at airport vendors for about $5.

Office Depot's item is more conventional and is only $2.99. It's item #861248 (http://www.officedepot.com/textSearch.do?uniqueSearchFlag=true&Ntt=861248&x=28&y=18).
Thanks for pointing this out. The item is now down to 99c, but sadly it's not available in stores, so you need to get up to $50 to get free shipping (or pay $7.95).

Thanks for pointing this out. The item is now down to 99c, but sadly it's not available in stores, so you need to get up to $50 to get free shipping (or pay $7.95).

8$ is up there...but still worth it since you will actually be able to hear the movie if you use your own presumably superior gear...

ontop of that you will never have to pay for phones again...

8$ is up there...but still worth it since you will actually be able to hear the movie if you use your own presumably superior gear...

ontop of that you will never have to pay for phones again...

My mum wasn't carrying her normal headphones on a AA TATL flight in Y and is so used to the BA ones that she thought there weren't any onboard for Y pax. When I pointed out that AA provice in ear ones, and that they had been on the seat in a small packet she just said she'd enjoyed the movie more without them!

In the UK these are available for £2.99 (gold connections) at Maplins (http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=28654) or £1.22 (not gold) at CPC (http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=AV17272&_requestid=276958)

I've lost a couple of them myself. After both occurrences, I stopped by a Bose kiosk and asked if they had any extras. On both occasions they did, and provided them for free (I of course mentioned that I carried my QC2s with me wherever I went, though :)).

They're cheapo, but most of the airline-sold headphones are conventional earbuds with an airline adapter added. You can unplug the airline adapter and use it with your own headphones.

The latest cheapo headset that CO sells are regular earphones with a two prong adapter. I think this is because the latest CO AV system (the one with LiveTV) has a regular headphone jack rather than the two prong airline plug.

Anyway, CO sells them for $1. They *might* last through your flight.

pm me, I think I have a few lying around.

I think this one from Monoprice, with a format like the RadioShack one but quite a bit cheaper, would work, though it's not marketed as an airline-type adapter: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021802&p_id=669&seq=1&format=1

The OfficeDepot one for 99¢ is great, but as indicated by MisterBill doesn't seem to be available for in-store pickup.

Monoprice's shipping is pretty reasonable and quick.

thats a great idea...im supprised it took this long for an airline to start doing that.... i dont know why airlines insist on there own proprietary jack, even the ones that have free headphones...

I recently flew on a Continental 737 domestic flight in First Class where the new headsets were distributed for free & did include the two prong adapter piece. Will be taking a TATL flight next week and assume they will be given out for free to coach passengers also.:)

In addition to CO including them on their headphones these days, DL does, too, and has for a while. Others have complained about the quality but I've not experienced those problems.

I think this one from Monoprice, with a format like the RadioShack one but quite a bit cheaper, would work, though it's not marketed as an airline-type adapter: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021802&p_id=669&seq=1&format=1Unfortunately, I don't think that one will work. You need a 2 mono plugs to 1 stereo socket adapter. This is a stereo/stereo adapter.

There are lots for sale online, but the shipping over doubles the price. Walmart (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10807014) has one for $4.88 that they'll ship to your local store for free.

The intent of the "airline" jack was to keep you from using your own headphones, so you'd buy the airlines' one. Originally you'd rent the headphones and give them back at the end of the flight. Now most have switched to the disposable earbuds and usually don't care if you use your own, but it takes decades to update airline equipment.

Hawaiian does say "There is a $5 viewing fee for coach passengers. (Fee still applies if you bring your own headsets.)", however the FA's have said "go ahead" when I've asked about using my own.

Hmmm. Am I missing something?

We flew TATL last October, KLM 747. return NW Airbus, last month NW 747, AF 777, and in all cases I used a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. They came with the two-prong adapter, but every plane allowed me to plug in the standard stereo jack on the end of the cord. No adapter needed.

Is it the case that I was only receiving mono all this time? I seem to recall sound from both ears, so I don't think that's the case.

I was ready to disacrd the adapters, but I never actually throw anything away. :)

Hmmm. Am I missing something?

Maybe...

Some planes have switched to just a normal single stereo plug. Others are still the split with each prong representing one of the two channels of audio.

Keep the adapter; you may need it on your next flight.

...The intent of the "airline" jack was to keep you from using your own headphones, so you'd buy the airlines' one. Originally you'd rent the headphones and give them back at the end of the flight....


Actually, thinking back to the dark ages, I think that the intent was to discourage pax from stealing the carriers' valuable headphones since they wouldn't work elsewhere.

Keep the adapter; you may need it on your next flight.

I always keep at least one extra in my laptop case, courtesy of Delta Airlines.

I always keep at least one extra in my laptop case, courtesy of Delta Airlines.

I do the same... I almost always take the headsets when offered, toss the adapter in my bag, and the headset in the seat-back. I used to keep the headset too, just in case my QC2s failed or battery died, but now I have a desk drawer full and no reason to let them keep piling up.