TAP Expands Bluetooth Access in Economy Class on Long-Haul Flights

(LISBON) TAP Air Portugal has finished rolling out Bluetooth headphone connectivity to its long‑haul Economy Class cabins, a move the airline says is now live across its updated fleet and aimed at improving in‑flight entertainment comfort while cutting waste. As of early September 2025, the feature is active on all Airbus A330neo and A321neo LR aircraft, allowing passengers to pair their own wireless headphones directly to seatback screens rather than rely on airline‑issued wired sets. Older A330ceo jets are not included due to hardware limits, according to the airline’s service update.

The rollout covers a total of 32 aircraft—19 A330neo and 13 A321neo LR—effective September 2025, with the system enabled through a full software update. The change removes the need for disposable earphones on most long‑haul routes. Economy passengers can still request wired headphones if they prefer, but TAP says they’ll be provided only on request rather than as a default amenity. The airline has also updated packaging for headphones in both cabins to reduce plastic and other single‑use materials.

Rollout scope and how it works

TAP confirms the Bluetooth pairing feature is operational across the eligible long‑haul fleet as of September 10, 2025. The three remaining Airbus A330ceo aircraft are excluded from the upgrade.

On enabled flights, travelers:

1. Put their personal headset in pairing mode.
2. Open the Bluetooth option on the seatback screen.
3. Follow the on‑screen prompts to connect.

The airline says the system supports movies, TV, music, and games without extra adapters.

• Fleet enabled: 19 Airbus A330neo + 13 Airbus A321neo LR = 32 aircraft
• Excluded: 3 Airbus A330ceo (older hardware)
• Economy Class distribution: Disposable headphones now available only on request
• Live date: Early September 2025, full operational status confirmed on September 10

For background on portable electronic device rules, travelers can review the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s guidance at the official EASA page: https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/aircraft-operations/portable-electronic-devices.

Passenger impact and industry context

The main passenger benefits are improved comfort and sound quality. Many travelers prefer their own earbuds or noise‑canceling headsets, and tapping the Bluetooth icon on the screen now replaces the need for adapters or airline cords.

• Parents gain a quieter cabin when children use familiar headphones.
• People with hearing sensitivities can adjust settings on their own devices instead of being limited by airline‑issued wired sets.
• The change is particularly relevant on overnight transatlantic flights, where sound isolation can affect sleep quality.

Industry observers view TAP’s Economy Class deployment as raising the bar for European long‑haul in‑flight entertainment. Analysis by VisaVerge.com suggests TAP’s fleet‑wide activation on A330neo and A321neo LR aircraft may pressure rivals to accelerate similar upgrades, especially where personal tech use is common.

TAP emphasizes the upgrade was completed via a software refresh rather than a full seat replacement, which minimizes aircraft downtime. That approach helps preserve schedule reliability, since long‑haul aircraft rotations are tightly planned and even small delays can ripple across networks.

Sustainability and next steps

TAP ties Bluetooth connectivity to its waste‑reduction goals. By handing out wired sets only upon request in Economy Class, the airline expects fewer single‑use headphone disposals. It has also redesigned headphone packaging in both cabins to reduce material use.

• Small per‑flight reductions scale across a large long‑haul operation, lowering both cost and waste.
• The move reflects broader industry efforts to trim plastics, paper, and e‑waste while maintaining passenger services.

The carrier has not announced plans to retrofit the three A330ceo aircraft due to older hardware, so some flights will still rely on wired headphones. TAP advises travelers to check the aircraft type during booking or via reservation details if Bluetooth capability is essential. Current service information is available at the official site: https://www.flytap.com.

How to use the feature — practical tips

1. Bring a fully charged Bluetooth headset and, if possible, a wired backup.
2. Pair during boarding or after takeoff, following the on‑screen prompts.
3. If pairing fails, forget the device on both ends and try again, or request a wired set.
4. Keep volume at safe levels; cabin noise can lead to excessive volume.

The airline says in‑flight entertainment pairing supports movies, series, music, and games. Streaming from personal devices to the seatback is not part of this change. The system should remember the device during the flight, but passengers may need to re‑pair after long pauses or a screen reset by crew.

Who benefits

• Families: fewer cord tangles and a tidier seating area.
• Older travelers: easier handling with familiar earbuds.
• People who use hearing aids with Bluetooth-capable over‑ear models: improved accessibility and comfort.

TAP frames this update as one element of its broader digital and cabin modernization program. While the airline has not detailed the next wave of changes, it signals further upgrades will come as aircraft undergo planned maintenance and interior refreshes. Software‑based improvements can often be incorporated with less disruption thanks to TAP’s relatively young, all‑Airbus fleet.

Bottom line: on most long‑haul flights, Economy Class passengers can now pair their own Bluetooth headphones to the seatback and enjoy the full entertainment catalog without wires. Disposable sets remain available, but only when requested. This small switch gives travelers more control, can cut waste, and positions TAP alongside carriers that treat personal audio as a core part of comfortable travel.

For details about a specific flight, check aircraft type and onboard services during booking or contact customer support via https://www.flytap.com.