Best Travel Gadgets: Twelve South AirFly Pro Review and Buying Guide

What to Look For?

When evaluating Bluetooth audio adapters for travel, four key factors determine whether a device is a mere convenience or an essential travel companion.

Battery Life and Charging Speed Long-haul flights can exceed 15 hours, so a device must sustain audio playback for the entire journey without interruption. The industry standard for top-tier adapters is now around 25 hours of battery life, which comfortably covers even the longest routes like New York to Singapore. Additionally, charging speed matters; a device that takes only two hours to fully charge via USB-C ensures you can top it up quickly at a hotel or airport before your next trip.

Audio Quality and Codec Support The adapter’s internal audio chip dictates how rich and clear the sound will be. Older adapters often suffer from compressed audio or low volume, especially with premium headphones like AirPods Pro. Modern versions should feature upgraded audio chips (such as Qualcomm aptX Adaptive) that deliver deep bass, crisp treble, and consistent volume levels. Codec support for standards like aptX Adaptive or AAC ensures that the audio stream remains high-fidelity, matching the quality of your headphones.

Dual-Headphone Pairing Capability Traveling with a partner or family member is common, and sharing audio without a splitter is a major convenience. The best adapters allow two Bluetooth headphones to connect simultaneously to the same device. This feature lets you and a friend listen to the same movie or music on an airplane without needing an extra cable or dongle, effectively turning a single-seat entertainment system into a shared experience.

Transmitter and Receiver Versatility While the primary use is transmitting audio from an airplane jack to your headphones, a versatile adapter should also function as a Bluetooth receiver. This dual-mode capability allows you to plug the device into an older car stereo’s AUX port or a home speaker and stream music from your phone wirelessly. A simple switch to toggle between these modes adds significant value, making the device useful for road trips and daily commutes beyond just flying.

How to Choose?

Selecting the right AirFly model depends on your specific travel habits and audio priorities.

For the Frequent Flyer and Audiophile If you fly regularly and demand the best possible sound quality, the Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 is the clear choice. It addresses the volume and audio compression issues found in the original Pro by incorporating an upgraded Qualcomm audio chip and Bluetooth 5.3. This model supports dual-headphone pairing, allowing you to share audio with a companion, and offers faster, more reliable connectivity. The 25-hour battery life ensures you won’t run dry on long international flights, and the USB-C charging is compatible with most modern devices.

For the Budget-Conscious Traveler If you fly infrequently and your primary need is simply to use your headphones on a plane without sharing audio, the original Twelve South AirFly Pro (or the standard AirFly) may suffice. The original Pro offers 25 hours of battery life and a nice carrying case, but it lacks the dual-pairing feature and the advanced audio chip of the Pro 2. However, be aware that some users report lower volume levels with AirPods Pro on the original model. If you are on a tight budget and don’t mind slightly less robust audio performance, the standard AirFly (with 20 hours of battery) is a cheaper entry point, though it only supports one pair of headphones.

For the Road Trip and Multi-Use Traveler If you plan to use the adapter for car trips or home entertainment as well as flying, the AirFly Pro 2 is superior due to its seamless receiver mode. The ability to flip a switch and stream music from your phone to a car’s AUX port makes it a versatile tool for all types of travel. The original Pro also has this feature, but the Pro 2’s improved Bluetooth 5.3 ensures a more stable connection in the car, where signal interference can be higher.

Comparison

The following table compares the key specifications of the top AirFly models to help you decide which fits your needs.

Sources

• Twelve South AirFly Pro Deluxe Review. The Well-Designed Dongle ...
• Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 Review: Add Bluetooth to Every Flight
• I'm Never Flying Without This! Review and Demo of the ... - YouTube
• AirFly Pro 2 makes your AirPods even better [Review] - Cult of Mac
• Twelve South AirFly Pro Review: Don't Buy this… yet – NK
• AirFly Pro 2 - Review. - Coolsmartphone
• AirFly | Bluetooth transmitter - Twelve South
• AirFly worth it? Or would a cheaper alternative work just as well?