What are the differences between the Bose A30 aviation headset and the Bose A20? Should I buy the Bose A30 instead of the Bose ProFlight Series 2? My Instagram DM’s are flooded with questions about these 2 Bose aviation headsets, so let’s talk about it. Bose currently has a holiday season promotion! If you purchase a ProFlight Series 2 or A30 aviation headset you receive a free Sound Link Micro bluetooth-speaker. Click here for more information about this holiday season promotion!
The Bose A20 Aviation Headset
Pilots love the Bose A20 because of the immense noise cancellation in noisy environments. Every time you let a pilot try on this headset in the cockpit, they are sold and it’s just a matter of time before they invest in it themselves.
Once a pilot is used to a Bose aviation headset, every other headset is considered ‘below standard’. Even though the Bose A20 is extremely popular and found in most cockpits, it has been on the market since 2010. It was due for an upgrade!
The Bose A30 Aviation headset
The Bose A30 is the successor of the extremely popular Bose A20. With the arrival of the Bose ProFlight and Bose ProFlight Series 2, it was just a matter of time until the successor of the Bose A20 would be released.
Long term comfort, very little clamping force compared to the Bose A20 and 3 different active noise cancelling modes with tap control are its unique selling points.
The Bose A30 Aviation Headset or the Bose ProFlight Series 2?
Can the Bose A30 compete with my all time favorite headset; the super comfortable in-ear ProFlight series 2? I personally love to use the Bose ProFlight Series 2, which is an in-ear noise cancelling aviation headset with little to no clamping force.
While wearing an around-ear headset during long flights, pilots usually experience some sort of discomfort due to the weight and clamping force on their heads. That’s why I didn’t leave my house without the ProFlight Series 2 whenever I had a flight longer than 2 hours.
So I decided to put the Bose A30 to the ultimate test and wore this new headset from Amsterdam to Las Palmas and back. One of the longest duties a pilot is allowed to make in a day. The results?
I didn’t think I could say this, but 12 hours later I still did not experience any discomfort or clamping force on my head and it made me forgot is was actually wearing it. Something I did not expect from an around-ear aviation headset.
Special permission to use this headset at my airline?
Airline requirements vary greatly. Some allow pilots to use headsets of their choice while others require an approved list of products. The headset is FAA/EASA TSO certified, just like the Bose A20 and ProFlight Series 2.
Approval to use the (or really any) headset on any specific aircraft may vary by the airline, type of operation, by country and even by the aircraft certification organization.
The Bose A30 is optimized for use in general, military and commercial aviation aircraft. It can be used in both fixed-wing aircraft and in helicopters.
More information
If you want to learn more about the specifications of the new Bose A30 aviation headset, check out this website.
If you have a limited budget, the Bose A20 is still a great option and you might be able to find it a discounted price! You can check out our review here.
I also created a video featuring the ProFlight Series 2, you can watch it below!
Really serious about becoming a pilot? Check out my eBook, it contains everything from you need to know (from A to Z) and be aware of. Make sure you are prepared for a selection by completing our flight school and airline selection preparation courses on YourPilotAcademy.com.
I have a question. I am an american pilot with a low flight time and I am interested in becoming a pilot in a european airlines. How many hours and what are the requirements I need to work for a european airline with low flight time?