Should I buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra for long flights?

For long flights, I’d lean Sony WH-1000XM5 for most people.

• Pick the Sony WH-1000XM5 if you want the safer all-around travel choice, especially for battery life. It lasts about 31 hours 53 minutes with ANC on, which is roughly 8 hours longer than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
• Pick the Bose QuietComfort Ultra if you prefer Bose’s tuning and are okay with shorter battery life.

One practical difference is that the Sony WH-1000XM5 is generally less likely to let sound out, so it’s a good pick if you want to avoid bothering the person next to you.

If your flight is very long or you’ll be away from charging for a while, I’d choose the Sony. If you like Bose’s sound and comfort enough to accept shorter battery life, the Bose is still a great option.