BSHBusiness Supplies Hub

Travel kit

Best noise-cancelling headphones for long-haul flights

Six over-ear noise-cancelling headphones that suit long-haul work trips, with battery life, wired options and UK prices from official or retailer pages.

Updated 27 October 2026 · Researched from official and published sources

On a long-haul flight, good noise cancelling takes the edge off engine drone so you can sleep, read or work. For a business traveller, battery life, a proper carry case and the option to plug into the seat-back screen matter as much as sound quality.

We have compared current models on the specs and prices their makers and major UK retailers publish. We have not tested them hands-on. Prices move often, so treat the figures as a guide and check the live page before you buy.

At a glance

#PickPrice guide
1Best overall Sony WH-1000XM6£349.99 at John Lewis, checked Oct 2026
2Best for comfort on long flights Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)£399.95 on bose.co.uk, checked Oct 2026
3Best for iPhone and Mac users Apple AirPods Max 2£499 on apple.com/uk, checked Oct 2026
4Best battery life Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless£199 at John Lewis (black), checked Oct 2026
5Best for sound quality Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3£399 on bowerswilkins.com, checked Oct 2026
6Best value from Bose Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)£299.95 on bose.co.uk, checked Oct 2026

1 · Best overall

Sony WH-1000XM6

Over-ear, folding, Bluetooth multipoint

Sony's current flagship folds into a carry case with a magnetic closure, which makes it easier to pack than the previous model. John Lewis lists up to 30 hours of playback with noise cancelling on and 40 hours with it off. It also has a 3.5mm jack and USB-C for wired listening, so you can use it with in-flight entertainment.

  • Up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on
  • Folds and comes with a case
  • Connects to two devices at once
  • Wired 3.5mm and USB-C options

Watch out: A full charge takes around three and a half hours, so charge it the night before you fly.

£349.99 at John Lewis, checked Oct 2026Visit official site

2 · Best for comfort on long flights

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Over-ear, carry case included

Bose rates these at up to 30 hours of battery, or 23 hours with its Immersive Audio mode on. A 15-minute charge gives about 3 hours of playback, which helps on a tight connection. Wired USB-C audio is supported, and a carry case comes in the box.

  • Up to 30 hours battery
  • 15 minutes of charging gives about 3 hours
  • Lossless wired USB-C audio
  • Carry case included

Watch out: Bose lists the headphones at about 265g, so they are not the lightest pair here.

£399.95 on bose.co.uk, checked Oct 2026Visit official site

3 · Best for iPhone and Mac users

Apple AirPods Max 2

Over-ear, USB-C

Apple's second-generation AirPods Max claim up to 1.5 times the noise cancellation of the original model. Apple quotes up to 20 hours of listening with noise cancelling and Spatial Audio on. Lossless and low-latency audio work over a wired USB-C connection with supported content.

  • Pairs easily with Apple devices
  • Wired lossless audio over USB-C
  • Adaptive Audio and Transparency modes

Watch out: Battery life is the shortest here at up to 20 hours, and the Smart Case covers the ear cups only, not the headband.

£499 on apple.com/uk, checked Oct 2026Visit official site

4 · Best battery life

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Over-ear, folds flat, hard-shell case

John Lewis lists up to 60 hours of playtime per charge, roughly double most rivals. That can cover a return long-haul trip without a recharge. The headphones fold flat into a protective hard-shell case, and an audio cable with 3.5mm and 2.5mm plugs is included.

  • Up to 60 hours per charge
  • Hard-shell case
  • Cable for wired listening included
  • Lowest price in this list

Watch out: They fold flat rather than folding inwards, so the case takes up a bit more room in a bag.

£199 at John Lewis (black), checked Oct 2026Visit official site

5 · Best for sound quality

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

Over-ear, carry case included

Bowers & Wilkins quotes 30 hours of playback, and a 15-minute charge adds about 7 hours. The box includes both a USB-C to 3.5mm cable and a USB-C to USB-C cable, so you can plug into a seat-back screen or a laptop. Eight microphones handle noise cancelling and calls.

  • 30 hours battery
  • 15-minute charge gives about 7 hours
  • Both wired cables in the box
  • Carry case included

Watch out: At 300g without the case, they are among the heavier models here.

£399 on bowerswilkins.com, checked Oct 2026Visit official site

6 · Best value from Bose

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)

Over-ear, carry case included

A cheaper way into Bose noise cancelling. Bose rates them at up to 24 hours, or 18 hours with Immersive Audio on, and a 15-minute charge gives 2.5 hours. Both a USB-C cable and a 3.5mm to USB-C cable come in the box for wired listening.

  • Up to 24 hours battery
  • Wired cables included
  • Carry case included
  • £100 less than the Ultra model

Watch out: Battery life is shorter than the Sony, Sennheiser and Bose Ultra models.

£299.95 on bose.co.uk, checked Oct 2026Visit official site

What to look for

For flights, battery life comes first. A long-haul day can mean 15 hours or more from leaving home to reaching the hotel, so aim for at least 24 hours with noise cancelling on.

Check how you will connect to the seat-back screen. Most planes still use a 3.5mm socket, sometimes a twin-pin one, so a 3.5mm cable or USB-C to 3.5mm cable in the box saves buying one later.

  • Battery: 24 hours or more with noise cancelling on, plus quick charging
  • Wired listening: a 3.5mm or USB-C to 3.5mm cable for in-flight entertainment
  • Case: a hard or semi-hard case protects them in a laptop bag
  • Weight and clamp: lighter headphones are easier to wear for a whole flight
  • Multipoint: connecting to a phone and a laptop at once helps between flights
  • Calls: good microphones matter if you take calls in lounges or taxis

How to choose for a team

If you are buying for several frequent travellers, standardising on one model makes support and spare cables simpler. Match the brand to the devices people already use: AirPods Max suit an Apple-only office, while Sony, Bose, Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins work well across Windows, Android and Apple.

Buy from a UK retailer or the maker's own store so warranty claims are straightforward. Bose, for example, lists a two-year warranty on its UK site. Keep receipts centrally, and consider asking staff to label cases, since headphones are among the items most often left on planes.

  • Pick one model for easier support and shared spares
  • Check the warranty length and returns window before ordering
  • Budget around £200 to £500 per person depending on model
  • Keep a spare 3.5mm cable and airline adaptor in the office travel kit

Flying with headphones, cases and power banks

The headphones are rarely the issue; the power banks used to top them up now have stricter rules. The UK Civil Aviation Authority says devices such as phones, tablets and laptops should normally go with you in the cabin, and batteries under 100Wh can be carried there.

New international rules took effect on 27 March 2026 for power banks. The CAA lists them as follows:

  • No more than two power banks per person
  • Power banks must be in carry-on baggage, never in checked luggage
  • Power banks must not be recharged on board, and should not be used to charge other devices in flight
  • Up to 100Wh needs no airline approval; 100Wh to 160Wh needs the airline's approval; over 160Wh is not allowed in passenger baggage
  • Airlines can add their own limits, so check before flying

Questions people ask

Can I use Bluetooth headphones with in-flight entertainment?

Most seat-back screens need a wired connection. All six models here support wired listening, either with a 3.5mm cable or a USB-C to 3.5mm cable, so check the right cable is in your bag.

Which noise-cancelling headphones have the longest battery life?

Of the models here, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless has the longest rating at up to 60 hours per charge. The Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) and Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 are rated at around 30 hours.

Is the Sony WH-1000XM6 out in the UK?

Yes. The WH-1000XM6 is on sale in the UK, and John Lewis listed it at £349.99 when we checked in October 2026. It replaces the WH-1000XM5.

Are over-ear or in-ear headphones better for long flights?

Over-ear models usually have bigger batteries and more comfortable padding for many hours of wear. In-ear buds are lighter to carry but often need recharging in their case on a long flight.

Do noise-cancelling headphones work on planes?

Yes. Active noise cancelling is especially effective on the constant low drone of aircraft engines, which is the main source of cabin noise on a long flight.

What type of headphones are best for flying?

Over-ear noise-cancelling headphones suit long-haul best. They usually have bigger batteries and better passive isolation than earbuds, while on-ear designs tend to be uncomfortable over many hours.

Can I bring noise-cancelling headphones on a plane?

Yes, in your hand luggage. The CAA says devices with batteries should normally travel in the cabin. If you carry a power bank to charge them, keep it in carry-on, take no more than two, and do not recharge it on board.

Business trip cost calculatorHotel, flights, meals and transfers for the 30 most common work destinations, checked against HMRC's day rates.HMRC day-rate (per diem) checkerThe tax-free meal and room allowance for UK and overseas trips, converted to pounds.

Related guides

GuideBest business travel insurance for UK companiesGuideBest Heathrow airport hotels for an early flightGuideBest Gatwick airport hotels for an early flightGuideBest business class from London to New York