Agree with the trying yourself thing.
I tried S1, Bose A20 and Zulu 2 in the shop. The A20 ear cushion sat on my ear in a way I suspect would have been uncomfortable after a long time. S1 ear cup was too long - seemed to sit on my jaw almost leaving a gap so Zulu 2 it is. Very happy with them!
My instructor was there too but for him the A20 was more comfy.
As for passive - they aren't too bad. I've turned active reduction off in the air and they were still usable.
Can't really comment on Zulu2 battery life. To get used to them (and before the no quibble return time finished!) I spent a fair number of hours wandering around the house at Christmas time listening to music through bluetooth. I then had around 3 hours of lessons in the air before the batteries came to an end - but since the Transair shop at Shoreham gave me the batteries for free so that I could try the Zulu 2 out (and I don't know what state the batteries were in to start with) I can't complain!
Lightspeed promotional gifts take their time though. "Ship within 12 weeks" but I sent them details on 4th December. I haven't thought about it since (other than to confirm that they got my email) but its been a bit more than that now. Time for some chasing I think...