If these are the over-the-head type headphones available to first and business class passengers on EK flights they are, as a previous member has pointed out, marked “Property of Emirates” so removal could technically constitute theft. Not that the flight crew will immediately arrest you and put you in chains for the rest of the flight, but they may well ask for their property back (nicely of course) which may cause you some embarrassment .

The noise cancelling headphones are only usable in first and business classes. The plug/socket having a three pin configuration (one pin being used to provide power to the internal noise cancelling circuit within the headset). Economy class headsets are two pin configuration plugs/sockets, so you would not be able to use the noise cancelling headphones in economy anyway.

You mentioned being offered ‘headphones’. I’m not sure if there is not a little confusion here.

This year Gold card members were offered a choice of ‘thank you’ gifts. One of these being a set of noise cancelling headphones. These headphones are in fact in-the-ear earphones. They are black, marked with the Emirates logo, come in a small carrying bag (also marked with the Emirates logo) and have both single and dual pin configuration, which allows them to be used with most audio devices having a standard stereo socket as well as in all classes of Emirates flights.

I opted for this gift and have found them quite good in terms of sound quality. They are not ‘true’ noise cancelling (as my Bosse headset), but they do a good job and are far more convenient to carry on board in my hand luggage. If you have been offered a set of these, take them.