wind016,
I think everything you said is completely what Bose was aiming for with them. Did you notice at best buy when you click the demo button they have the airplane outside simulation noise on? Plus with the small size, light weight, simple look, and super super comfortable feel...I can see why people buy them for travel.
It's funny that you brought it up because I had a listen today, the QC3, at my buddy's house who is actually is a pilot. I didn't think they were aweful, but they are definitely not great. The noise cancellation impress me every time, you hear almost nothing except the voice of other with no echo. SQ wise I thought the high and lows are easy to listen to although as you pump the volume up they start to show a lot of flaws. The headphone can be grainy, muddy, and are contains quit a bit of sibilance...actually unacceptable amount of sibilance to me which probable shows how colored they are. Vocal of artist sounds almost like as if he/she has a lisp. I was surprise that the QC3 does pack somewhat of a punch and can go decently low with the bass. Although the bass lack tightness and refinement and are bloated. I didn't have a long listen session and also didn't have another headphone to compare them to at that moment. But for the brief listening, I did think to myself that the price of them are sort of ridiculous considering AT ANC are close to $100 and I would never buy them.