Airplane Audio Doesn't Have to Suck and This Bluetooth Transmitter Proves It
If you fly often, you already know the routine. You settle into your seat, grab the in-flight entertainment screen, and then your AirPods won't connect. That means reaching for the airline's wired headphones that feel flimsy, let in every engine roar, and make everything sound muffled.
It's one of the most frustrating parts of flying, especially on long trips when decent audio can make all the difference. Between the engine noise, crying babies and that one guy snoring in 14C, you need a better option. The good news is there's a simple device that fixes the problem completely and makes flying feel a lot more like streaming at home. If you travel often, you probably already know the struggle: You're settled into your seat, ready to dive into the in-flight entertainment, only to realize your AirPods won't connect to the screen. The airline's wired headphones? Practically useless. They're uncomfortable, have no noise cancellation and let in every engine roar and crying baby within a three-row radius. For long flights, it's a recipe for a frustrating, low-quality listening experience.
That's exactly why the AirFly Pro has become a must-pack item in my travel bag. It's a simple Bluetooth dongle that lets you connect your wireless earbuds (like my AirPods Pro) directly to the airplane's entertainment system, no adapters or wired workarounds required. Since I started using it, I've stopped dreading in-flight audio and finally get to enjoy movies the way they were meant to be heard. If you fly often, this little gadget might completely change how you travel.
The AirFly Pro lets me truly enjoy in-flight entertainment
The AirFly Pro from Twelve South is a minimally designed dongle that lets me connect to the 3.5mm headphone jack on my flight to listen to in-flight entertainment on my noise-canceling earbuds. All I have to do is pair the AirFly Pro with whichever Bluetooth headphones I'm using, like my AirPods Pro, plug the AirFly Pro into the display in front of me -- and I'm all set. I don't even need to use my phone to connect the two devices.
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
There are four versions of the AirFly: the AirFly SE, which costs $35 on Amazon and connects to just one set of headphones; the AirFly Pro ($55); the Pro V2 ($60), the newest version of the Pro; and the Pro Deluxe ($62), which comes with an international headphone adapter and a suede travel case.
I use the AirFly Pro, and it's been a game-changer for me on flights. I've never had to worry about battery life -- the AirFly Pro lasts for more than 25 hours and can fully charge in 3 hours. I can also pair two separate pairs of headphones to a single AirFly Pro, in case I'm with someone else on a flight and want to watch the same movie or show.
And if that's not enough, the AirFly Pro also doubles as an audio transmitter, so I can turn any speaker with a headphone jack, like my old car stereo, into a Bluetooth speaker.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
The AirFly Pro makes a great gift
The AirFly Pro is the perfect present to give to someone who's planning to travel this year. Besides my Anker MagSafe battery pack, the AirFly Pro really has become my most treasured travel accessory when I fly, which is why I consider it to be one of those can't-go-wrong gifts.
For more travel gear, here are our favorite tech essentials to travel with and our favorite travel pillows.
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