Reports of strange noises when using AirPods Pro 3 on airplanes

Apple's completely wireless earphones , AirPods Pro 3 , which were released in September 2025, feature advanced noise-canceling technology . However, several users have reported experiencing strange noises when using AirPods Pro 3 during airplane flights.

The AirPods Pro 3 Flight Problem — Basic Apple Guy
https://basicappleguy.com/basicappleblog/the-airpods-pro-3-flight-problem

According to a report from Apple fan site Basic Apple Guy, a user wearing AirPods Pro 3 on a plane reported hearing a high-pitched noise coming from the left earbud while flying at an altitude of 39,000 feet (approximately 11 km). The high-pitched noise was picked up by the noise-canceling microphone, causing a feedback-like condition that resulted in an earsplittingly loud noise. The noise persisted even after adjusting the angle of the AirPods Pro 3, and the noise worsened when the user placed their finger on the microphone.

Basic Apple Guy suspected that the noise was caused by a poor seal in the ear tips, so after the flight he changed the ear tips from size XS to size M. After that, he felt comfortable on the ground, but the noise recurred on another flight.

Other users besides Basic Apple Guy have also reported similar issues. For example, one user on the online message board Reddit posted, 'When flying with AirPods Pro 3 with Active Noise Cancellation turned on, I hear a strange whooshing noise, like wind noise. Sometimes I hear a high-pitched whistling noise. This issue did not occur with the original AirPods Pro.'

Additionally, the social news site Hacker News has received reports such as, ' The sealing test shows it's sealed, but when I get on an airplane, I hear a high-pitched noise,' and 'The noise isn't just when I'm on an airplane, it's also when I'm walking or running. I sent a bug report to Apple, but they haven't responded. '

The AirPods Pro 3 has also been reviewed by GIGAZINE, and the following article summarizes how to use the heart rate measurement function and a comparison with the previous model.

How has Apple's 'AirPods Pro 3' evolved, with noise cancellation performance doubled from the previous generation? Compared to AirPods Pro 2 - GIGAZINE

AirPods Pro 3 are available on Amazon.co.jp for 38,192 yen.

Amazon.co.jp: Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Heart Rate Sensor, Hearing Aid, Bluetooth Headphones, Spatial Audio, USB-C Charging Case, Dust, Sweat, and Water Resistant, Find My, Qi Charging: Musical Instruments & Audio Equipment