While this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, Delta will no longer proactively offer complimentary earbuds to passengers sitting in Delta Comfort or Main.
Delta Will Only Distribute Earbuds Proactively
According to an internal memo, which was first reported by Gate Access, as of May 15, 2025 Delta will only proactively provide complimentary earbuds to passengers traveling in First Class and Delta One (Business Class).
Flight attendants have also been told not to walk the aisles and offer earbuds during boarding, something which has been common on Delta flights in the past. The portion of the pre-flight announcement mentioning earbuds has also been removed as part of this change.
According to the report, this is just a temporary change due to “challenges with global sourcing networks.” The earbuds Delta uses onboard are currently manufactured in China and increased tariffs likely has the Atlanta based carrier looking to cut spending and reduce waste.
It’s worth noting that these changes won’t be in place on all flights. Passengers traveling in Delta Comfort or Main on long-haul international flights will still be proactively offered during boarding.
This Change Doesn’t Bother Me
While we have seen airlines look for ways to cut costs at every turn, this change doesn’t bother me. We’re increasingly seeing next-gen in-flight entertainment (IFE) screens that support Bluetooth headphones and I would much rather use my own when traveling.
Also, even when I really didn’t need them, I reflexively would take a pair of earbuds when offered during my Delta flights. As I’m writing this, I currently have four pair of Delta earbuds in my briefcase. Two of which have never been opened.
This has no doubt created a ton of electronic waste and I wouldn’t mind the carrier making this change permanent assuming it doesn’t impede the flight attendants’ abilities to perform their duties onboard.
Summary
Delta Air Lines is eliminating the proactive distribution of complimentary earbuds for passengers traveling in Delta Comfort and Economy on most flights. The carrier will still have complimentary earbuds available but, they will now be made available on-request for passengers not traveling in First Class or Delta One.
If you’re so concerned about electronic waste, why did you take them?
I said it has likely created a lot of electronic waste. They were offered and I thought I might use them so I took them. I also take them with me when I get off of the plane instead of leaving them onboard.
I mostly fly American and they stopped doing this years ago, it’s rare to be offered the disposable ear plugs on an AA flight…but of course most of the AA planes don’t have seat back monitors š
Reign is the period of rule – like the Reign of King George III during the American war of independence.
The article implies Delta is the best at giving these away
Good catch, updated. Though they have been the best at giving them away as most other carriers have stopped.