Airpods Pro 3 Active Noise Cancellation Issue in Airplanes

I started having the feedback/high pitch issue in my right earbud about 2 weeks ago. I got my Airpods Pro 3 the day they were released and they worked great up until a couple of weeks ago. I assume that Apple made some changes to the ANC feature in a firmware release because when I turn the ANC off, the issue goes away. Also, it’s happening when I’m home and I haven’t flown with them. I have tried reseting them, tried all the different tips and issue still persists. Also Apple just came out with new firmware today 8B25 and same issue going on.

One user reported that the issue was due to the altitude (i.e. air pressure) at the time of the screeching. Its seemed to him that when he went to lower altitude the screeching stopped.

Did your AirPods Pro 3 exhibit the problem when back on the ground? Except maybe in Denver, Co.

That topic is High pitched noise on AirPods Pro 3 - Apple Community

Exactly the same issues. Multiple reports of this on Reddit or elsewhere. But Apple does not seem to acknowledge any issue. Had mine replaced but it did not change anything. Tried every ear tips in the plane to see if it changed it. It did not. This is a serious issue.

does not happen on the ground except when sneezing for example.

will return mine

I reported before on the same issue and also thought it only happens while on a plane. But was doing hikes last weekend and had the same problem in the mountains. Definitely altitude issue.

Yes, it also does it when you sneeze or blow your nose. It must be related to pressure variation inside the ear canal. I don't know if it's only affecting some ear canal shapes or everyone (probably the former). It's funny to look at Apple's claim that it took into account 10k+ ear shapes to do this version...

I’m having the exact same issue with my AirPods Pro 3rd gen . Since the first day, there’s a constant hiss or “whoosh” sound, and sometimes a short high-pitched beep especially when switching modes or touching the earbuds.

It’s even worse on airplanes — the hiss becomes unbearable even with ANC on. I’ve tried resets, firmware updates, cleaning, and different ear tips. Apple ran diagnostics and said everything looks fine, but I already had to escalate the case because the problem persists.

need help or confirmation if anyone actually got this fixed or if it’s a hardware flaw.

I’ve flown with my APP3’s at least 5 or 6 times now, and I get the feedback issue every time I fly. Came here to see if anyone else has had the issue hoping that maybe I got a dud pair.

It has gotten so bad that I’ve switched back to exclusively using my Pro 2’s when I fly. Which is a shame because the 3’s really do cancel the noise better, but it’s not worth dealing with the feedback issue. Can’t believe I’m saying it but I prefer using my older pair.

Same issues for me as well. took 2 flights 2 weeks ago and was unable to use the pro 3. I had my Pro 2 with me and switched to those and had no issues. When on the ground, the pro 3's work great. but during a flight they are horrible. Eating or accidently hitting your teeth together was the worst.

I too have had the same issue on both recent flights. The airpods are supposed to protect my ears and instead they are hurting them. I have noticed it occurs soon after hitting the 10,000 feet altitude. I have tried all the fixes that others have stated, but it continues until we get higher in the air in my experience. I had the pro 2s and used them on many flights both long and short and NEVER had this happen. I am saddened by this as I wish I had not bought the pro 3s. I only wanted the translation option and didnt realize that there would be an update for the pro2s. Now, my son has my old ones and I am stuck with going on flights and not having workable earpods. I have another flight in a few weeks so I will try to not use them until 5 minutes passes the 10,000 mark and see if that works. Frustrating!

I'm having the same issue I took 4 flights and they kept giving me these high pitched noises and hurt my ear. It kept coming back on an on. I had so issues with my AirPods Pro 2. I may just return my AirPods 3 Pro

I did also, Both earbuds, intermittently make high pitch noises (like a mic feedback) depending on the position of the earbud. I also had multiple low frequency sound swhen trying to eat anything on the plane, even after I stopped eating. I eventualy had to remove them. 4-5 hour flight!!

[Edited by Moderator]

I did also, Both earbuds, intermittently make high pitch noises (like a mic feedback) depending on the position of the earbud. I also had multiple low frequency sound swhen trying to eat anything on the plane, even after I stopped eating. I eventualy had to remove them. Sucks on a 4-5 hour flight!!

Did the screeching stop once you got back on the ground?

Hi. Same issue. On my second flight this weekend and there is a high pitched noise whether I listen to podcast/book/movie.

It is bearable as I sit in silence, writing this post.

Thinking about downgrading..

I’m having the exact same issue on the airplane. Every flight turns into a 20–30 minute ritual of removing them from the case, putting them back, inserting, un-inserting, wiggling them around, switching between content, and cycling through Adaptive, Transparency, and Noise Canceling modes — like some kind of desperate AirPods exorcism.

Then, miraculously, it fixes itself… for a while.

But the moment a flight attendant asks me a question or I need to take one earbud out, the curse returns. It’s genuinely stressful — I fly almost every week for work, and this has become a recurring midair drama.

Very disappointing. I never had a single issue with my AirPods Pro 2 — they were the reliable travel buddies these new ones clearly aspire to be.

It’s not just you many are having problems with noise cancellation. Basically forcing us to buy the new AirPods if we want this feature.