The AirFly Pro 2 makes minor but appreciable improvements, like an on/off switch and two dedicated (and labeled) pairing buttons. (Rick Broida/Yahoo)
Let me get this straight: I spent all that money on top-flight noise-canceling earbuds, but I can't use them to watch in-flight movies? The horror! Alas, it's true: few seat-back entertainment systems support Bluetooth, and I can't exactly plug my AirPods into that old-fangled headphone jack. Well, not without help. Specifically: The AirFly Pro 2 is a Bluetooth transmitter/receiver that plugs into any 3.5mm audio jack (including those still common on airplanes) and pairs with AirPods or other wireless earbuds or headphones.
Problem solved, right? Actually, yes — this little gadget works really well, to the point where I'm loathe to air-travel without it. And it has a few other worthwhile applications as well. But I do have a few gripes, one of them kind of important. Here's my AirFly Pro 2 review.
Related:
We asked a flight attendant to share her travel must-haves — all under $25
VERDICT: This little dongle lets you enjoy in-flight entertainment (and more) using your favorite earbuds or headphones, and it improves on its predecessor in several ways. But there are similar products for half the price.
The AirFly Pro 2 looks like something Apple would make, with a glossy white finish and rounded edges — a worthy AirPods companion, to be sure. (As noted, however, it also works with just about any Bluetooth earbuds or headphones.)
Though definitely designed with an eye toward in-flight entertainment, the AirFly Pro 2 can transmit audio from whatever source it's plugged into: a TV or radio, an older Nintendo Switch, a treadmill at the gym, even that vintage tape deck of yours. And it can do so to two separate listening devices, meaning you and your seat-mate can watch the same movie simultaneously.
Flip a switch and it becomes a receiver instead: Plug it into the 3.5mm AUX-in jack on, say, an older home stereo or car radio and then use your phone to stream music, podcasts or whatever through those speakers.
The device charges via a USB-C port and can last at least 25 hours, according to Twelve South. That's impressive; you should be able to take plenty of flights before needing to recharge.
There are three notable improvements in this version of the AirFly Pro: an actual power switch, which takes the place of a power button you had to hold down for five seconds (!) to turn the device on or off; two dedicated, labeled pairing buttons for connecting two sets of earbuds; and volume control buttons, which can save you having to reach for your phone to adjust levels.
I do miss the little protective cap that Twelve South included with the previous model; it also had a keychain ring to more easily keep the dongle close at hand.
You still get a little drawstring carrying case, but neither the quickstart guide nor the full user guide will fit inside it. That's problematic, because unless you use the AirFly Pro 2 on a regular basis, you may forget certain aspects of how it works.
In fact, the first time you use it will probably be on a flight, in which case you'll have to put both the dongle and your earbuds in pairing mode. All this is explained in detail in the well-written user guide, for which I'm thankful, but I certainly wish Twelve South had thought to make it more travel-friendly. As it stands, it's a thick 50-page multi-language booklet. (You can download the PDF version, but I always prefer hard-copy manuals.)
Meanwhile, there's a single LED that lights up or blinks white or amber, depending on what's happening — charging, pairing, etc. That's another reason you'll want the manual close at hand.
The good news is that once everything is set up, actually using the AirFly Pro 2 is simple: Turn it on, plug it into the headphone jack, pop in your earbuds. In a recent test onboard a Delta flight, it worked flawlessly.
Here's where I struggle: This little gizmo costs $60. That seems a bit hard to justify when there are similar products priced considerably lower. For example, the Lavales SafeFly Pro has a similar design and features, but adds an OLED status screen, and at this writing it's on sale for just $32 (not including a coupon that takes 30% off).
I haven't tested that, so I can't say whether it's as good as the AirFly Pro 2, but there's nothing especially complex about a Bluetooth transmitter/receiver; it either works or it doesn't.
The AirFly Pro 2 works, and I'm glad to have it as a travel companion. I just wish it was a bit more affordable.