Using your own headphones on AC planes
Mar 1, 01, 6:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Programs: AC E SPG Gold
Posts: 109
Using your own headphones on AC planes
Does anyone know where I can obtain an adapter allowing the use of the great headphones I use with my portable CD (standard 1/8 inch single jack) on the 2-prong outlets on AC equip?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Mar 1, 01, 10:10 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: somewhere north of stateside...
Posts: 4,077
In December, I flew YYZ-YYC on an internationally configured CP 767-300. They were using 'conventional headsets' in Y, and handed out little adaptors to adapt (Put that on the list of the most intelligent comments of the year 
). If you get the chance, liberate one!
). If you get the chance, liberate one!
Mar 2, 01, 7:45 pm
#8
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 8,563
Radio Shack sells one for U$5.00 (C$7.50)
Cat.#: 42-2495
Should be available in just about any RS.
They also sell a "travel kit" for about C$20 which consists of a pair of lousy ear-bud phones (3' cord), 2-mono-to-stereo (airplane) adapter, mono-to-mono-in-both-ears (TV) adapter, 1/4"-to-1/8" adapter.
The only drawback with their adapters is that they're two separate cables on the airplane end (vs. the solid molded piece AC used to use) which means they don't always make a great connection.
I found it interesting that AA seems to use both a regular stereo plug for headsets, and a regular cigarette adapter for power, instead of the ones other airlines do.
andrew
Cat.#: 42-2495
Should be available in just about any RS.
They also sell a "travel kit" for about C$20 which consists of a pair of lousy ear-bud phones (3' cord), 2-mono-to-stereo (airplane) adapter, mono-to-mono-in-both-ears (TV) adapter, 1/4"-to-1/8" adapter.
The only drawback with their adapters is that they're two separate cables on the airplane end (vs. the solid molded piece AC used to use) which means they don't always make a great connection.
I found it interesting that AA seems to use both a regular stereo plug for headsets, and a regular cigarette adapter for power, instead of the ones other airlines do.
andrew
Mar 3, 01, 10:38 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: YYZ, YYJ, ZRH
Programs: AC MM
Posts: 429
One airline I flew some years ago offered headsets for sale (only) on board - they charged about US$ 6 for them, but the headset came with an adapter (mini-stereo DIN into two jacks, like the plane requires).
The rationale behind this was that the passenger could throw away the adapter at the end of the flight, and then use the headset on all normal consumer devices on the ground.
I threw away the headset and kept the adapter. I now use it with my own good quality earphones on whatever airline I am travelling on.
I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the airline that provided this wquipment - perhaps check with some friends who have trevelled on a discount or charter carrier recently, they may have the adapter you are seeking.
The rationale behind this was that the passenger could throw away the adapter at the end of the flight, and then use the headset on all normal consumer devices on the ground.
I threw away the headset and kept the adapter.
I now use it with my own good quality earphones on whatever airline I am travelling on.I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the airline that provided this wquipment - perhaps check with some friends who have trevelled on a discount or charter carrier recently, they may have the adapter you are seeking.
Mar 5, 01, 12:04 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: YYZ, YYJ, ZRH
Programs: AC MM
Posts: 429
Hi Andrew:
Yes, you are correct. In fact I flew Air Transat this morning, from Toronto to Orlando (someone else made the travel arrangements) and they gave out headsets with this little adapter on them.
Bin 707, if you are still reading this thread, send me an email with your postal address, and I will mail you the adapter you are looking for when I get back to Toronto Wednesday.
[This message has been edited by Max Power (edited 03-25-2001).]
Yes, you are correct. In fact I flew Air Transat this morning, from Toronto to Orlando (someone else made the travel arrangements) and they gave out headsets with this little adapter on them.
Bin 707, if you are still reading this thread, send me an email with your postal address, and I will mail you the adapter you are looking for when I get back to Toronto Wednesday.
[This message has been edited by Max Power (edited 03-25-2001).]
Mar 6, 01, 10:23 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Toronto, ON, Canada
Programs: AC E SPG Gold
Posts: 109
Max - many thanks, you've got mail.
Andrew - thanks for the info - at the Radio Shack I looked into (before making my original post - I did at least try!) all they had was the $20-ish package with the cruddy little headphones. It seemed to go against my cheap nature to buy them & throw away everything except the adapter. Seems I might take a look at my expenditure priorities, considering that I did a YYZ-MUC out Sunday back Monday this weekend. As an aside, we had the pleasure of getting to within about 500 feet (both horizontally and vertically) at YYZ before zooming up and away and going on to Windsor - crosswinds and icy runways not to the driver's liking, apparently. Had a delightful hour and a half at Windsor gassing up before returning for another white-knuckle landing at YYZ. Hope I'll get the "Q" miles for YYZ-Windsor and back!
Andrew - thanks for the info - at the Radio Shack I looked into (before making my original post - I did at least try!) all they had was the $20-ish package with the cruddy little headphones. It seemed to go against my cheap nature to buy them & throw away everything except the adapter. Seems I might take a look at my expenditure priorities, considering that I did a YYZ-MUC out Sunday back Monday this weekend. As an aside, we had the pleasure of getting to within about 500 feet (both horizontally and vertically) at YYZ before zooming up and away and going on to Windsor - crosswinds and icy runways not to the driver's liking, apparently. Had a delightful hour and a half at Windsor gassing up before returning for another white-knuckle landing at YYZ. Hope I'll get the "Q" miles for YYZ-Windsor and back!
