UA Headphone adaptor / connection Q&A
Sep 28, 2013, 5:54 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 923
+1. Last week flew 757-300 in F with 2prong & I gave up after 5 min. Then flew new 737-900 & I don't think I even had a jack; certainly no video. Made me think that UA has decided that IFE is not necessary in this day & age on domestic flights, a business decision I agree with.
Sep 28, 2013, 6:02 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 638
I can't comment on the issue with the Bose, but I've had almost nothing but problems with those two-prong plugs where the two prongs are not the same size. And also those three-prong plugs. Whoever designed them, what were they thinking??
Sep 28, 2013, 6:04 pm
#18
Used to be 'joony'
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: NEC
Programs: General Member!
Posts: 203
Had plenty flights where I had to nudge the plug in just right to get sound out of both ears, though it was probably just mono going into both vs true stereo. Haven't had any issues with the modern lie flat IFE. Also, I left my double prong adapter on a flight :/
Sep 28, 2013, 6:13 pm
#19
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ONT, SNA, LAX
Programs: UA Plat, AA Plat, SPG Plat, HGP Diamond, Avis First
Posts: 270
Audio jacks are by far the largest maintenance issue for any airline.
And it's usually damage caused by passenger abuse
. Primarily when someone stands up and the headphones are still on.
Remember, there were a few people using that seat before you. But rarely is the problem reported.
And it's usually damage caused by passenger abuse
. Primarily when someone stands up and the headphones are still on.Remember, there were a few people using that seat before you. But rarely is the problem reported.
Sep 28, 2013, 7:48 pm
#20
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 690
http://www.amazon.com/golden-airline...e+plug+adapter
If you have to have the plug just right (and not plugged all the way in) on a two-jack system, then you are definitely not getting stereo (nor high-quality audio). Get a handful of the adapters.
Sep 30, 2013, 12:13 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Houston, TX USA
Programs: UA - GS/1MM, Marriott- PT, SPG-Gold/Fairmont Presidents
Posts: 204
Not sure if I'm the only one that has this frustration, but I feel like recently my headphones (Bose QC15) just don't seem to be staying in the UA planes. The CO planes with DirectTV rarely seem to have a problem - but the old UA planes (single or double prongs), just don't seem to work very well.
The double prong adapter that came with the Bose rarely work in the double prong jacks (just flew a 757 for AUA-EWR yesterday, had to jiggle the headphone jack to get it to stay perfectly to get volume in both ears - but that didn't last). The double prong jack didn't even stay in the jack.
Am I getting crappy seats, or do others have this problem?
I assume most people don't watch the movies (and 4 domestic/carribean long haul roundtrips this month & the movies are getting tiring and can only watch so many repeats of Big Bang Theory) - so maybe folks don't run into this issue - but I feel like almost every one of my flight have had screwed up audio that doesn't work well (even with the crappy UA supplied headsets) unless it on a Direct TV flight.
And, of course, the FA's (who have validated that my jacks were busted on 3 of the last 4 flights, first one I didn't say anything) say they no longer give out customer care kits for things like this - so 4-5 hour flights without IFE...guess I need to start downloading to my iPad...
The double prong adapter that came with the Bose rarely work in the double prong jacks (just flew a 757 for AUA-EWR yesterday, had to jiggle the headphone jack to get it to stay perfectly to get volume in both ears - but that didn't last). The double prong jack didn't even stay in the jack.
Am I getting crappy seats, or do others have this problem?
I assume most people don't watch the movies (and 4 domestic/carribean long haul roundtrips this month & the movies are getting tiring and can only watch so many repeats of Big Bang Theory) - so maybe folks don't run into this issue - but I feel like almost every one of my flight have had screwed up audio that doesn't work well (even with the crappy UA supplied headsets) unless it on a Direct TV flight.
And, of course, the FA's (who have validated that my jacks were busted on 3 of the last 4 flights, first one I didn't say anything) say they no longer give out customer care kits for things like this - so 4-5 hour flights without IFE...guess I need to start downloading to my iPad...
Warning - Never have them plugged in on the sUA A319/320's when they start the engines. I have had two sets of headphones (BOSE/Dr. Beats) ruined due to a power surge in the entertainment system.
Sep 30, 2013, 2:25 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
Programs: UA Pt, Marriott Ti, Hertz PC
Posts: 6,091
I have plain ol' IEMs, but second this as the resulting static "shriek" can be ear-splitting!
Sep 30, 2013, 2:50 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
Interesting that so many people have this problem.. I can't remember the last time I had any sound issues with my QC15's on UA planes. I know it has happened before where I've had to twist the plug around during the flight to get it to work properly but not recently. I've never had a problem with the 2 prong connections at all.
I just sold my QC15's last week and bought some QC20's..looking forward to trying them out for the first time when I fly this Thursday.
I just sold my QC15's last week and bought some QC20's..looking forward to trying them out for the first time when I fly this Thursday.
Oct 29, 2013, 9:46 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC E75K / Marriott Silver Elite / SPG
Posts: 143
Sorry to bump a old thread.
But I was wondering, does anyone experience that the right side of the headphone sounds louder than the left?
I keep getting the perception that my right side sound louder..
But I was wondering, does anyone experience that the right side of the headphone sounds louder than the left?
I keep getting the perception that my right side sound louder..
Oct 29, 2013, 10:09 pm
#26
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
Oct 29, 2013, 10:26 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC E75K / Marriott Silver Elite / SPG
Posts: 143
Oct 29, 2013, 11:05 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 15,023
After years of frustration with airline jacks (and it's not a problem restricted to UA), I have all my entertainment on my iPad. I will never dependent on airline's jack(s) ever again.
Oct 30, 2013, 5:32 am
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,595
It is the jack. I have Bose headphones, and don't have any problem using them with my IPad or ITouch, or on other carriers. United's planes - especially the older ones - seem to have a large number of worn jacks.
