Traveling the world may sound glamorous, and many moments are indeed. However let’s not pretend that there aren’t just as many moments where you begin questioning whether all the headaches are worth it!

With every year that passes it seems travel, especially international travel, is becoming more hectic and increasingly difficult to bear. From standing in lines that rival a Disney ride, to being seated beside passengers you wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy, the physical act of travel is chaotic, and I lust over the experience of first class.

My favorite music / movie transports me away from my surroundings each time. However airline headphones don’t exactly block out the noise. My last flight I was seated in a row with not one, or even two, but three crying infants and a man which had to be going for a Guinness World Record of loudest snorer.

Already suffering from a headache I disobeyed the fasten seat belt sign as I made a quick grab of my headphones from the overhead luggage. After two or three minutes channeling my inner scout to untie a sequence of knots, I did find some reprieve, though had to wonder when Lorde had added young crying backup singers to her tracks.

Block Out the Noise

I long for the day when I win the lottery and can fly First Class indefinitely however I am somewhat reluctant to purchase the higher priced ticket for now in the fear I could never go back to the mortal cabin.

It’s amazing how far the little extras associated with First Class can go to providing you with a more enjoyable experience. And when you exit you get a glimpse of all those fancy additions they are given, like compression socks, slippers, pajamas, and those seemingly much more high tech headphones. Upon seeing them on my last flight I was jealous enough that I finally looked into replacing my free tangled mess given to me by the flight attendant.

I came across Sennheiser’s PXC 550 Wireless noise cancelling headphones. A German based company that specialises in premium audio products, there are headphones, and then there are these.

Sennheiser’s PXC 550 Wireless

Wireless headphones are tricky in that very rarely can you find a set that reproduces incredible sound while providing top of the line noise cancellation and long battery life. But this is exactly what Sennheiser achieves. Add extreme comfort and a lightweight design and you have a gold standard resting upon your ears.

The PXC 550 Wireless is truly a machine in it’s own right. A touch control panel is integrated into the earcups, which gives you complete control on the move. With the swipe of a finger, you have a convenient selection of settings, from volume control, to skipping a track, to taking a call.

An in terms of taking a call, the PXC 550 Wireless offers unrivaled speech clarity. It identifies and filters out all ambient noise and makes sure you will be perfectly understood at the other end of the line, no matter how busy your environment, or how many crying children in front of you!

And with a multiple microphone design feature, it allows you to hear your own voice so you’re not of those annoying people screaming into the phone or laptop in the airport lounge.

Remarkable Battery Life

Being based in Australia, any international flight is a minimum of 8 hours. At least. So if I was investing in a top-of-the-line pair of headphones, it needed to have a remarkable battery life.

The PXC 550 Wireless is impressive, and seamlessly anticipates your needs by powering on as you unfold it, automatically pausing your track when you remove it, and switching off when you fold it away. So you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn them off.

That said, with a battery which lasts up to 30 hours of continuous use, this means they outlast the longest of any international flight, and you can span the globe on a single charge without leaving your private audio lounge.

My Private Audio Lounge

Sound Quality

I was amazed at the difference in sound quality offered and wondered how I ever got by listening on cheap headphones. I am still blown away by the NoiseGard adaptive noise cancellation as it is truly a surreal experience. It literally erases all outside noise to the point I cannot hear a thing even when nothing is being played.

Wearing these headphones creates your own aural space in even the most chaotic of environments: the louder the noise around you, the stronger it is cancelled, giving you the most comfortable listening experience.

It’s basically like comparing to a 60”+ 4K OLED TV to a small Soniq special from your local discount store. With over 70 years experience, I knew I was getting a trusted brand with Sennheiser, and a product that somehow managed to balance the best aspects of wireless headphones in harmony.

Block Out the Rest of the World

The Verdict

Although First Class flights may not be in my near future I now have a piece of it back in Economy. My Sennheiser headphones have become a carry on necessity for every trip, which is made easy by just how compact and lightweight they store away (the fold-flat collapsible frame enables it to discreetly fold away into the stylish, compact travel case).

They have also become part of my life when not traveling, a great way to drown out noisy neighbors, block out busy cafes when I go to write, and just whenever I want to transport myself away from stress.

I am usually one to recommend cheaper alternatives when it comes to gadgets and tech but what Sennheiser offers is so beyond what any cheap alternative can offer. Sometimes there is no alternative to First Class, and in terms of the best escape money can buy, besides travel itself, these headphones are the next best thing!

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Other Products We Recommend for the Plane

In addition to your headphones, face masks are now an essential part of the travel experience. And just like your headphones, while airlines may provide a cheap version, it’s worthwhile investing in a quality product of your own which you know is yours, and you’re comfortable wearing.

Click here to read about how to choose a good quality face mask for travel. Our favorite is LCP-Medical’s FrontLine™ Face Mask.

With its protection against airborne viruses, breathability, replaceable filters, comfortable shape and washable fabric, the FrontLine Face Mask covers everything you needfor staying safe and comfortable when traveling post pandemic.

You can pick one up today at: lcp-medical.com/product/frontline-face-mask-kit/

Giveaway Winner: Bijan A

Want a pair too? We know you do! In partnership with Sennheiser, we’re giving away a pair of PXC 550 Wireless noise cancelling headphones. Can’t wait for the competition to end? Head to Sennheiser.com to order before your next trip.

Competition is open to residents of all countries, and runs until 11:59PM 2nd September 2017 Pacific Time (US & Canada). Please read the terms and conditions for further competition details.

Enter by completing any of the actions listed below (there are multiple entries up for grab). The winner will be drawn at random at the giveaway end and contacted via email.

Sennheiser’s PXC 550 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

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Megan is an Australian Journalist and award-winning travel writer who has been blogging since 2007. Her husband Mike is the American naturalist and wildlife photographer behind Waking Up Wild; a website dedicated to opening your eyes to the wild & natural world.

Committed to bringing you the best in adventure travel from all around the globe, there is no mountain too high, and no fete too extreme! They haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on their list.

If you enjoy getting social, you can follow their journey on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest and Instagram.