Air bearings have their own problems. The biggest one is the pump after that is the noise. Air makes high frequency noise as it passes through pores and passage ways. It is impossible to get rid of it all.
Low pressure aquarium pumps used for the AirProdigy and Terminator air bearing tonearms do make a noise, it's true, but the brand of pump I use for the AirProdigy isn't too bad at all. It's best placed in another room connected by 10m of tubing (which obviates the need for an expansion bottle) but you can use it in the same room if it's insulated well. High pressure bumps used on arms with cylinder bearings are another matter though. Much noisier!
As for noise from the air coming through the tiny holes in the airtrack of low-pressure arms, well, it's pretty much non-existent. You have to put your ear right up to the airtrack of the AirProdigy arm in a completely silent room to be able to hear any noise at all. Once again, that's not the case for high pressure arms!