Using my Earpods on an airplane?

Consider that EarPods with a 3.5mm plug are designed to work with a simple analogue electrical connection that directly drives the EarPods.

By contrast, USB-C is a digital connection - that takes its input from the digital audio stream that is output from a compatible audio source. USB-C EarPods incorporate a DAC (Digital to Analogue Converter), this being a tiny chip that converts the digital audio to the analogue signal that you hear.

For this reason, you cannot directly connect USB-C EarPods to a 3.5mm audio connection. What you can do is use a suitable Adapter to convert a USB-C digital connection to a 3.5mm analogue audio connection - to which you connect "basic" analogue EarPods or similar headphones. The Adapter includes the DAC that performs the magic:

• Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

https://store.apple.com/xc/product/MW2Q3ZM/A

In summary:

• You can connect [basic] analogue EarPods or headphones to a digital audio source using a suitable Adapter - the Adapter converting the digital audio to analogue and providing the electrical connection for the EarPods/headphones analogue connection.
• You can't connect EarPods, that are designed to directly connect to a digital audio source, to an analogue signal.

Nope, but they make EarPods with the 3.5mm jack. Personally, I would have gotten those, and then get the USB-C to 3.5mm adapter for $9 extra to be able to use them with the phone, and then you could take off the adapter to plug it directly to a 3.5mm jack like they have on the plane.

Here’s the adapter you might need but I don’t know if it will work with your EarPods. Amazon warns that it is a frequently returned item.

USB-C Headphone Adapter

On Amazon for $6

If you do ever decide to get Bluetooth headphones, you can also use those on the plane as well with an adapter such as an Airfly: https://store.apple.com/xc/product/HS4J2ZM/A

Corollary:

DAC Adapters are available in a wide choice of price-points and quality, the more expensive supporting hi-resolution digital audio formats. The Apple Adapter is good quality - and is low cost - but doesn't support the more exotic hi-res audio formats.

The vast majority of end-users that are using EarPods are not Audiophiles; for these Users the Apple Adapter is more than adequate.

you need not get airpods if you do not wish any bluetooth headsets and earplugs would work just fine