Best Noise Cancelling Headphones for Flying in 2026 Sony vs Bose
I have a lot of international flights coming up for work and I am desperate for a new pair of noise-cancelling headphones. My old Bose QC35s are falling apart and the battery does not last through a transatlantic flight anymore.
I am looking at the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Both seem to have amazing reviews, but I am stuck on which one is better for actual plane engine noise. I have heard the Sony has better features but the Bose is more comfortable for long wear.
I am also curious about the transparency mode. Sometimes I need to hear the flight attendant without taking my headphones off. Has anyone tried both of these in a real-world flying scenario?
The price is pretty similar for both, so it really comes down to performance. I do not want to regret my choice when I am stuck on a 12-hour flight next month.