are cheap noise cancelling earbuds worth it for long flights?
I’m getting ready for a long flight from Frankfurt to Atlanta next week, and honestly, I’m a bit nervous about being stuck in a noisy plane for hours. Last time I flew, I tried using the free headphones they handed out, but they were so flimsy I could barely hear my movie, let alone block out the engine noise. I keep hearing everyone rave about noise cancelling headphones, but I just can’t stand those big, bulky ones that cover your whole ear. I’d rather have something small and light, like in-ear buds.
Here’s the catch: I almost never use headphones in daily life, so I really don’t want to spend a fortune—maybe around $20, tops. But I’m worried that if I go too cheap, they’ll be just as useless as the airline freebies. Has anyone actually found a pair of in-ear noise cancelling headphones that work decently for that price? Or is it just wishful thinking? I’d hate to waste money on something that ends up in the junk drawer after one trip.
On top of that, my travel buddy insists we print our tickets instead of using digital check-in. I get it—sometimes the old ways feel safer. But I’m wondering if I can still use the Delta app just to get flight updates, especially for our connection. I’ve heard the app sometimes gives you the option to check for seat upgrades, maybe even for free? That sounds almost too good to be true. But I’m also a bit paranoid that if I sign up for the app, they’ll automatically switch us to digital tickets, and I really don’t want to mess up our plans. Has anyone tried this and managed to keep their paper tickets?
And one more thing—are these Frankfurt to Atlanta flights usually packed these days? I keep hearing stories about overbooked flights and crowded cabins, and I’m hoping we don’t end up squished in the middle seat. I’d love to hear what your recent experiences have been like!
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