If you want simple, wired headphones with a clear retro look for flights, choose Koss CL/20; if you need wireless earbuds with noise-control modes and case-based touch controls, choose AIRO Duo Touch Screen. For a child who prefers an over-ear-style fit, I’d lean toward the Koss; for an adult who wants compact travel earbuds and flexible listening modes, the AIRO is the more feature-rich pick.
• Koss CL/20’s biggest strength: a wired 3.5 mm connection, adjustable on-ear fit, and transparent retro design. Trade-off: no wireless connection or selectable ANC and transparency modes.
• AIRO Duo Touch Screen’s biggest strength: Bluetooth earbuds with a touchscreen case, ANC, Transparency, and Normal modes. Trade-off: they rely on wireless use and an in-ear fit rather than a headband.
• For flights: Koss is the straightforward choice if you want wired headphones; AIRO suits you if wireless control and switching listening modes matter more.
• Choose Koss CL/20 for a familiar headphone shape and 3.5 mm connectivity.
• Choose AIRO Duo Touch Screen for compact earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4, and case controls.
The Koss CL/20 is a wired, on-ear headphone with a 3.5 mm plug. Its clear earcups and headband give it a distinctive retro look, while the adjustable headband and sliding yokes let the fit be adjusted. Plush leatherette and sponge earpads are intended to sit around the ears and provide acoustic isolation. The product information describes the headphones as suitable for adults, kids, and teens, which makes them worth considering when shopping for headphones for flights for different ages.
The practical appeal is simplicity. There is no Bluetooth pairing to manage: connect the cable to a laptop, tablet, or gaming device with a standard 3.5 mm jack. The listed frequency range is 16 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and the audio uses a dynamic driver. Those figures describe the stated audio range and driver type, not a guarantee that every listener will hear the same character. The adjustable headband and lightweight construction may also suit someone who wants a traditional headphone shape rather than earbuds.
The trade-off is the wired design. A cable can be less convenient when moving around, and the CL/20 does not offer the AIRO’s wireless connection or selectable ANC and Transparency modes. The stated sound isolation comes from the earcups and cushions; it should not be confused with an electronic noise-cancelling mode.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-21 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The AIRO Duo Touch Screen is an in-ear wireless earbud set built around Bluetooth 5.4 and a touchscreen charging case. The case can be used to play music, change tracks, switch listening modes, locate earbuds, and access other functions without continually reaching for a phone. That is a notably different approach from the Koss: instead of a cable and headband, the AIRO puts control and charging into a compact case-and-earbud setup.
Its three listening modes are ANC, Transparency, and Normal. ANC is intended to reduce distractions, while Transparency is designed to let surrounding sound through; Normal mode provides another option when neither of those is wanted. The listing also specifies five EQ presets—Standard, Rock, Pop, Classic, and Jazz—so listeners can choose among preset sound profiles. A 13 mm copper-ring composite dynamic driver is listed, alongside dual MEMS microphones with ANC/ENC filtering for calls. Bluetooth 5.4 supports the wireless connection, while the case adds features such as earbud finding and camera control.
For travel, that collection of controls can be useful if you want to move between listening and awareness without taking out your phone. The included silicone ear tips come in two small and two large tips, giving some choice in fit. IPX4 protection is specified for sweat and splashes, a practical detail for everyday use, though it does not make the earbuds waterproof. The central trade-off is fit and reliance on wireless hardware: these are in-ear earbuds, not on-ear headphones, and the supplied specifications do not state battery life. I would not choose them on the assumption that they provide a particular number of hours of listening.
Who should skip them: Skip the AIRO if you prefer a wired connection and headband-style headphones, or if you need a stated battery-life figure before choosing a flight companion.
• Best for a wired 3.5 mm connection → Koss CL/20. It plugs into compatible laptops, tablets, and gaming devices without Bluetooth pairing.
• Best for wireless listening → AIRO Duo Touch Screen. Bluetooth 5.4 connects the earbuds without a headphone cable.
• Best for choosing between noise modes → AIRO Duo Touch Screen. ANC, Transparency, and Normal modes address different listening situations.
• Best for a headband and on-ear fit → Koss CL/20. Its adjustable headband and sliding yokes offer a different fit from silicone-tipped in-ear earbuds.
• Best for case-based controls → AIRO Duo Touch Screen. The touchscreen case handles functions such as playback, track changes, mode switching, and earbud finding.
• Best for someone who wants a clear retro design → Koss CL/20. Its transparent earcups and headband make the look part of the appeal.
• Best for preset EQ choices → AIRO Duo Touch Screen. It lists Standard, Rock, Pop, Classic, and Jazz options.
• Best for splash protection in everyday use → AIRO Duo Touch Screen. Its IPX4 specification covers sweat and splashes, not immersion in water.
Buying Considerations
For flights, start with the connection and fit you actually want. The Koss uses a physical 3.5 mm plug, so you will need a compatible headphone jack on the device you plan to use. In exchange, it avoids Bluetooth pairing. The AIRO connects over Bluetooth 5.4 and offers touch controls through its charging case, but its wireless setup is a different choice, not simply a cable-free version of the Koss.
Fit is another deciding factor, especially when choosing the best kids headphones for flights. The Koss is described for adult, kid, and teen use, with an adjustable headband and cushions. The AIRO includes silicone tips in two sizes, but its in-ear design will suit some listeners better than others. The information provided does not establish that either product will fit every child, so the intended wearer’s preference matters.
Finally, the AIRO feature list is broader, but more features do not automatically make it the better travel pick. Its listed details include EQ presets, a touchscreen case, ANC modes, earbud finding, and IPX4 protection; its battery-life figure is not supplied here. The Koss has fewer controls, but its wired connection and traditional fit may be exactly what a buyer wants. If price is part of your decision, check the current price on Amazon rather than relying on an outdated figure elsewhere.
I’d choose the AIRO Duo Touch Screen for flights if I wanted wireless earbuds, selectable ANC and Transparency modes, and controls on the charging case. Its features give it more ways to adapt to changing travel situations.
I’d choose the Koss CL/20 instead for a wired, adjustable on-ear design with a standard 3.5 mm connection. For my flight pick, though, I prefer the AIRO’s wireless flexibility—provided its in-ear fit suits the listener.
Choose the Koss for wired, on-ear listening through a 3.5 mm jack. Choose the AIRO for Bluetooth earbuds with ANC, Transparency, and Normal modes. The better fit depends on whether you prefer a headband or in-ear tips.
The CL/20 is listed with sound isolation from its earcups and cushions. It does not list selectable ANC modes, so its passive isolation should not be treated as electronic noise cancellation.
They offer ANC, Transparency, and Normal modes. The touchscreen case can switch modes, and the earbuds also list five EQ presets: Standard, Rock, Pop, Classic, and Jazz.
The Koss is described for adults, kids, and teens and has an adjustable headband. The AIRO includes multiple silicone ear-tip sizes, but it is an in-ear design. I’d base the choice on the child’s fit and comfort preference rather than assuming one style will suit everyone.
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