Bose sells two aviation headsets, not a range: the A30 at $1,299 and the ProFlight Series 2 at $1,099. They are not tiers of the same product: the A30 is an around-ear headset for loud, unpressurised aircraft, and the ProFlight Series 2 is an in-ear headset for the quieter crewed cockpit of a jet. Choosing between them is a question about the aircraft you fly, not about budget.
They are also not headphones, despite how they are usually searched for. An aviation headset carries a boom microphone, plugs into the aircraft’s intercom, and is certified to a technical standard. That certification is the reason a pilot headset costs what it does, and it is worth understanding before comparing the price to a pair of consumer noise-cancelling cans.
The two models at a glance
| A30 Aviation Headset | ProFlight Series 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,299.00 | $1,099.00 |
| Design | Around-ear, full earcups | Headbanded in-ear |
| Intended aircraft | Noisier types, including unpressurised singles | Crewed aircraft, typically pressurised and quieter, such as jets |
| Noise cancellation | Three user-selectable modes: Low, Medium, High | Three modes of active noise cancellation |
| Weight | Around-ear, reduced on-head weight | 4.5 ounces |
| Certification | FAA TSO and EASA E/TSO-C139a certified | Certified aviation headset |
| Warranty | Bose 1-Year Limited Warranty, covering mechanical breakdown and battery failure | |
Why the aircraft decides, not the budget
The two designs solve different problems.
In a piston single at 2,300 RPM, cockpit noise is loud and broadband. An around-ear headset gives you two layers working together: passive attenuation from the earcup seal, and active cancellation on top of it. That is the A30’s job, and Bose positions it for noisier aircraft including unpressurised single-engine types.
In a pressurised jet, the noise floor is far lower and the flight is far longer. Bulk and clamping pressure become the limiting factor rather than attenuation, which is why Bose built the ProFlight Series 2 as an in-ear headset at 4.5 ounces, the lightest and most compact aviation headset the company has produced. In that environment, a large around-ear headset is solving a problem you no longer have while creating a comfort problem you did not need.
The practical rule: if the aircraft is loud, buy the A30. If you fly a crewed, pressurised cockpit for hours at a time, the ProFlight Series 2 is the better instrument even though it costs less.
Comfort: the A30’s actual headline change
Bose’s specific claim for the A30 is that it has 20% less clamping force than the Bose A20 Headset it replaced. That is the number that matters on a four-hour cross-country. Clamping force is what causes the ache above the ears and the pressure behind glasses temples, and it is the most common reason pilots take a headset off before they need to.
The A30 also carries distinct left and right earcups with a quick release, and a side-swappable microphone, so the boom can move to whichever side suits the seat you are in, without tools.
Three noise cancellation modes, and why they exist
Both headsets offer three levels rather than a single on/off. Bose engineered each of the A30’s modes (Low, Medium and High) for a specific use case, and the reasoning is aviation-specific rather than marketing.
- High is for cruise in a loud aircraft, where you want the maximum reduction.
- Medium and Low matter in situations where you need to hear the aircraft: a training environment where an instructor is speaking off-intercom, or a cockpit where you want more awareness of engine and airframe cues.
Both models also include tap control for talk-through communication, so you can hear someone speaking to you directly without removing the headset.
Getting the right connector
This is the part that catches first-time buyers, because the A30 is sold in several distinct variants and the plug is not interchangeable after purchase. Bose lists:
- Dual Plug: PJ 068 and ¼-inch stereo. The standard general aviation pair.
- 6-Pin LEMO: aircraft powered, drawing power from the panel rather than batteries.
- 5-Pin XLR: the Airbus fitment.
- U-174: the helicopter connector.
Check what your aircraft actually has before ordering. If you fly more than one type, the panel-powered LEMO version is convenient in the aircraft that supports it but useless in the one that does not. The battery-powered dual-plug variant is the more portable choice.
Battery life
The A30 runs from two AA alkaline batteries and Bose quotes a minimum of 45 hours of operation while flying. With continuous use of the Bluetooth function, that drops to 25-plus hours. Two AA alkaline batteries are supplied in the box.
That gap is worth planning around. Bluetooth in an aviation headset is genuinely useful: it takes a phone call or an EFB’s audio alerts into the same earcups, but leaving it connected all day roughly halves your endurance. Carry spares regardless; a headset that dies mid-flight in a loud aircraft is a real distraction, not an inconvenience.
Bose lists the A30’s Bluetooth as version 4.2, supporting the A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, SPP and PBAP profiles, a deliberately conservative, reliability-first specification rather than a consumer audio one.
What TSO certification actually means
The A30 is FAA TSO and EASA E/TSO-C139a certified. TSO-C139a is the technical standard order covering aircraft audio systems, and certification means the equipment has been shown to meet a published minimum performance standard rather than the manufacturer’s own marketing claim.
This is the substantive difference between an aviation headset and consumer noise-cancelling headphones, and it is worth being blunt about: consumer headphones have no boom microphone, no intercom-compatible impedance, no certification, and no design constraint requiring you to hear an alarm through them. They are not a cheaper version of the same thing. For general aviation ratings and what standards actually certify, the same logic we set out in our guide to rugged smartwatch ratings applies here: a named standard is checkable, an adjective is not.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Bose aviation headsets cost?
The Bose A30 Aviation Headset is $1,299.00 and the ProFlight Series 2 is $1,099.00 on Bose’s own store. Both come with the Bose 1-Year Limited Warranty, which covers mechanical breakdown and battery failure and begins immediately.
What is the difference between the Bose A30 and the ProFlight Series 2?
The A30 is an around-ear headset intended for noisier aircraft, including unpressurised single-engine types. The ProFlight Series 2 is a headbanded in-ear headset weighing 4.5 ounces, intended for crewed aircraft that are typically pressurised and quieter, such as most jets. Both offer three modes of active noise cancellation, Bluetooth and tap control for talk-through.
How long does the Bose A30 battery last?
Bose quotes a minimum of 45 hours of operation while flying from two AA alkaline batteries. With continuous operation of the Bluetooth function, battery life is quoted at 25-plus hours. Two AA alkaline batteries are included in the box.
Is the Bose A30 more comfortable than the A20?
Bose’s specific claim is that the A30 has 20% less clamping force than the A20 headset. It also has distinct left and right earcups with a quick release and a side-swappable microphone. Clamping force is the usual cause of discomfort on long flights, so that is the change most likely to be noticed.
Can I use regular Bose headphones for flying?
Not as a substitute for a headset. Consumer headphones have no boom microphone, are not designed for aircraft intercom systems, and carry no aviation certification. The A30 is FAA TSO and EASA E/TSO-C139a certified, which means it meets a published performance standard. Consumer headphones are fine as passenger listening, not as pilot equipment.
The bottom line
Pick by aircraft first: A30 for loud and unpressurised, ProFlight Series 2 for the quieter crewed cockpit. Then pick the connector to match the panel, because that decision cannot be undone afterwards. The A30’s 20% clamping-force reduction over the A20 and its 45-hour AA endurance are the two figures that describe what actually changed, and the TSO certification is what separates this category from consumer headphones regardless of how good those headphones sound.
More audio and wearables coverage on Tech2Post: what changed when Sony Headphones Connect became Sound Connect, connecting AirPods to a laptop, and finding lost AirPods with Find My. On the wrist, see what MIL-STD-810 and ATM ratings actually certify, the Garmin fēnix 8, and how wrist heart-rate sensors work, all relevant kit for the same audience.
Elsewhere: the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 covers cockpit and cabin recording, phones built for the outdoors covers the handheld side, and eSIM support by iPhone model matters if you fly internationally with an EFB.
Sources: Bose: A30 Aviation Headset for pricing, connector variants, the three noise cancellation modes, the 20% clamping-force claim, battery figures, TSO certification and warranty; and Bose Support: A30 Aviation Headset Specifications for the Bluetooth version, supported profiles and included batteries.
