Bang & Olufsen's A8's are an awesome set of headphones --- I also HIGHLY recommend the Sony MDR-NC20, which are $150 and completely equivalent to the Bose in sound quality

Bose are good but they are not Noice cancelling headphones, more of noice reducer (specially if you flying it takes that hum noice off completely, it is brilliant feeling). As per better noice cancellation headset, I would bring my Shure noice cancelling streao headphones. Sideeffect may include pains inside ear in this headset, as these headsets go inside your ears and fits depending what type of ear you have. I still prefer my Shure noice cancelling headphone any day over bose till I have to fly. On flight Bose is the best, due to its light weight and it eliminate "humm" noice from background, gives you silence for good.

the bose set is good.i have a pair and use them all the time. excellent sound quality.