Twelve South AirFly Pro Review: Solution for Wireless Audio on Flights
Believe it or not, there’s still one place where many of us are forced to revert to wired headphones: airplanes. The Twelve South AirFly Pro addresses this problem by letting you use your favorite Bluetooth headphones with traditional 3.5mm audio jacks, particularly those found in airplane seats. This compact Bluetooth transmitter effectively bridges the gap between modern wireless headphones and older audio systems, making it an essential travel companion for frequent flyers.
Table of Contents
What is the Twelve South AirFly Pro?
The AirFly Pro is a small, lozenge-shaped Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into any device with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. It then wirelessly sends that audio to your Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. This simple but effective device allows you to use your high-quality wireless headphones—with their superior sound and noise cancellation—during flights instead of relying on the typically subpar headphones provided by airlines.
Beyond its primary function, the AirFly Pro can also work in reverse as a receiver, allowing you to transmit audio to devices like car stereos or speakers that don’t have built-in Bluetooth but do have a 3.5mm line-in port.
Design and Build Quality
The AirFly Pro features a minimalist design, available in either white or black. It’s roughly the size of a small USB drive, making it highly portable and easy to slip into a pocket or travel bag. The device includes:
- A USB-C port for charging
- A 2cm cable with a 3.5mm headphone jack
- A protective cap for the 3.5mm plug (with a loop for keyring attachment)
- A single large button on top for power and pairing
- A transmit/receive switch on the side
- A small reset button
The package includes a travel bag, an airline dual-plug adapter for older airplane audio systems, and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable. The travel bag features two compartments—one for the AirFly Pro itself and another for the accessories—though some users might find the fit a bit tight.
Setup and Pairing
Setting up the AirFly Pro involves a few simple steps:
- Power it on by holding the main button
- Put it into pairing mode (it will blink orange)
- Set your Bluetooth headphones to pairing mode
- Wait for them to connect
While the process is straightforward in theory, it can sometimes be more involved in practice. For optimal pairing, Twelve South recommends disabling Bluetooth on nearby devices to prevent interference, which could be challenging in crowded environments like airports.
One nice feature is the ability to pair two sets of headphones simultaneously, allowing you to share audio with a travel companion—perfect for watching movies together during a flight.
Performance
The AirFly Pro performs admirably in its primary role. The audio quality remains faithful to your headphones’ capabilities, with no noticeable degradation in sound quality. The device works reliably with any standard 3.5mm audio source, making it versatile beyond just airplane use.
The Bluetooth range is adequate for its intended purpose, reaching approximately 10 meters in optimal conditions. However, unlike some Bluetooth connections that might become spotty as you move out of range, the AirFly Pro tends to cut out entirely when you exceed its range, requiring you to restart and re-pair to resume audio.
When using the dual-pairing feature, be aware that different headphone models may have slightly different transmission speeds, potentially causing audio to be slightly out of sync between the two devices. This is a limitation of Bluetooth technology rather than the AirFly Pro specifically.
Battery Life
Twelve South claims up to 25 hours of battery life for the AirFly Pro, which is sufficient for almost any long-haul flight. This is particularly important for international travelers facing lengthy journeys. The device is charged via USB-C, and a full charge can be achieved in about 2 hours.
The main battery concern is actually with your headphones rather than the AirFly Pro—most wireless earbuds have significantly shorter battery life, so you may need to recharge them during a long flight while the AirFly Pro continues running.
The device lacks a detailed battery indicator, relying instead on a simple orange flashing light to indicate low battery, which some users might find limiting.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Enables wireless headphone use with non-Bluetooth audio sources, particularly airplane entertainment systems
- Impressive 25-hour battery life, sufficient for long-haul flights
- Dual-pairing capability allows two people to listen simultaneously
- Works as both a transmitter and receiver, increasing versatility
- Compact and portable design with included accessories for travel
Cons:
- Setup can be finicky, especially in Bluetooth-dense environments
- No dedicated battery indicator beyond a flashing light
- The protective cap for the 3.5mm plug is easy to misplace
- Some audio sync issues when using the dual-pairing feature
- The Pro model lacks the volume control found on the less expensive SE model
Price and Value
The Twelve South AirFly family offers several options at different price points to suit various needs and budgets:
The AirFly SE is the entry-level model, priced at approximately $34.99. It offers basic functionality for connecting a single set of Bluetooth headphones to a wired audio source. While it lacks some premium features, it does include volume controls and delivers 20 hours of battery life, making it suitable for casual travelers on a budget.
The AirFly Pro, reviewed here, sits in the middle of the lineup at around $41.99. The small bump in price gets you 25 hours of battery life, dual-device pairing capability, and the versatility of both transmitter and receiver modes. For frequent travelers, these additional features typically justify the price difference.
The newest model, the AirFly Pro 2, is priced at approximately $59.99. This premium option builds upon the Pro’s foundation with several enhancements including extended 30+ hour battery life, improved Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with greater range (approximately 15 meters vs. 10 meters), a more sophisticated multi-color LED battery indicator system, convenient auto power-on functionality, and the return of the volume controls that were absent in the Pro model.
While the AirFly Pro 2’s premium over the Pro might seem steep, the combination of longer battery life, improved connectivity, auto power features, and volume control makes it the superior choice for those who travel frequently or plan to use the device extensively. For occasional travelers, the standard Pro model still offers excellent value, providing the core functionality at a more accessible price point.
Regardless of which model you choose, the convenience these devices provide for frequent travelers easily justifies their cost. For those who have invested in quality Bluetooth headphones with noise cancellation, any AirFly model allows you to maximize that investment during flights and in other situations where only wired connections are available.
| Feature | AirFly SE | AirFly Pro | AirFly Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | 20 hours | 25 hours | 30+ hours |
| Number of Paired Devices | 1 device | 2 devices | 2 devices |
| Transmit Mode | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Receive Mode | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Volume Controls | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| USB-C Charging | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Battery Indicator | LED light | LED light | Multi-color LED system |
| Auto Power On | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Airplane Adapter Included | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Travel Pouch Included | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Wireless Range | ~10 meters | ~10 meters | ~15 meters |
| Approximate Price | $34.99 | $41.99 | $59.99 |
| Product Image | Product Name / Price | Primary Button |
|---|---|---|
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Our Pick!
Who Should Buy the AirFly Pro?
The AirFly Pro is an essential purchase for:
- Frequent flyers who own high-quality Bluetooth headphones
- Travelers who prioritize good audio quality and noise cancellation during flights
- Anyone looking to use wireless headphones with older audio systems (gym equipment, older TVs, etc.)
- People who want to add Bluetooth functionality to non-Bluetooth car stereos or home audio systems
If you rarely travel or already own wired headphones that you’re happy with, the AirFly Pro might be an unnecessary expense.
Conclusion
The Twelve South AirFly Pro fills a specific niche in the world of audio accessories, and it does so admirably. While modern travelers have embraced wireless headphones for their convenience and quality, airplane entertainment systems have remained stubbornly tethered to 3.5mm jacks. The AirFly Pro bridges this technological gap effectively.
Despite some minor frustrations with the pairing process and the lack of volume controls, the device delivers on its promises. The 25-hour battery life, dual-pairing capability, and compact design make it a worthwhile investment for frequent travelers who value good audio quality.
If you’re tired of either packing separate wired headphones for flights or enduring the subpar audio quality of airline-provided headsets, the Twelve South AirFly Pro offers an elegant solution. It’s one of those simple gadgets that, once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you traveled without it.
FAQ
Yes, the AirFly Pro works with any Bluetooth-compatible headphones or earbuds, not just Apple AirPods. It uses standard Bluetooth protocols that are compatible with virtually all wireless headphones on the market.
Absolutely. The AirFly Pro works with any device that has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, including gym equipment, older TVs, portable gaming devices, and more. It can also function as a receiver to add Bluetooth capabilities to non-Bluetooth speakers or car stereos.
When the battery is low, the LED indicator on the AirFly Pro will flash orange. Unfortunately, there's no way to check the exact battery level. For peace of mind, it's best to charge it fully before any long trip.
No, the AirFly Pro cannot be used while charging. However, with its 25-hour battery life, this shouldn't be a significant issue for most users.
Yes, the AirFly Pro comes with an airline audio adapter that converts the dual-plug airplane audio system to a standard 3.5mm jack, ensuring compatibility with older aircraft entertainment systems.
TechNerd Review Grades
85%
Summary The Twelve South AirFly Pro is an essential travel companion for anyone who values high-quality audio during flights. This compact Bluetooth transmitter solves the common traveler's dilemma by allowing you to use your premium wireless headphones with traditional 3.5mm airplane entertainment systems. With impressive 25-hour battery life, dual-device pairing for shared listening, and functionality as both a transmitter and receiver, the AirFly Pro offers significant value. While setup can occasionally be finicky and the device lacks certain conveniences like detailed battery indicators and volume controls (which are available on the entry-level SE and premium Pro 2 models), these minor drawbacks are easily outweighed by the freedom to enjoy superior sound quality and noise cancellation during long flights. For frequent travelers who've invested in good Bluetooth headphones, the AirFly Pro represents a small but significant upgrade to the in-flight entertainment experience.
