Connecting Your Headphones to In-Flight Entertainment Is the Worst. That's Why AirFly Is a Great Gift

On international flights, the attendants will go seat to seat and hand you a pair of the worst headphones you’ve ever seen.

I don’t usually have a problem with this, seeing as I always take my AirPods Pro or other high-quality headphones so I can listen to music from my phone or watch something that I’ve downloaded on my tablet. But sometimes I really want to take advantage of the in-flight entertainment.

This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.

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The downside of using the in-flight system is that I’m forced to use those terrible airline headphones, because my bluetooth headphones can’t connect to the in-seat display.

And so then I have to use the airline headphones, and what’s worse is that it’s in an environment that’s already difficult for listening in general. I’m dealing with loud engine sounds and crying babies, and the in-flight headphones are tinny and allow all the outside sounds to bleed in, so you can barely hear anything.

That’s where the AirFly Pro comes in. And with gifting season right around the corner, this is a perfect present to give travelers this holiday season, either those coming to see you or those leaving. For more, here are our picks for best headphones and our favorite wireless earbuds.

The AirFly lets you truly enjoy in-flight entertainment

The AirFly Pro Deluxe from Twelve South is a minimally designed dongle that you can connect to the 3.5mm headphone jack on your flight to listen to in-flight entertainment on your personal Bluetooth headphones. This version of the AirFly Pro also comes with an international headphone adapter and a suede travel case.

White AirFly Pro with purple background — The AirFly Pro is the perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays.

Nelson Aguilar/CNET

All you have to do is pair the AirFly Pro with your Bluetooth headphones, like the AirPods Pro or Bose QuietComfort, plug the AirFly Pro into the display in front of you — and you’re all set. You don’t even need to use your phone to connect the two devices.

If you’re worried about battery life, the AirFly Pro lasts for more than 25 hours and can fully charge in 3 hours.

You can also pair two separate pairs of headphones to a single AirFly Pro, in case you’re 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 you can turn any speaker with a headphone jack, like your old car stereo, into a Bluetooth speaker.

Besides my Anker MagSafe battery pack, the AirFly Pro really has become my most treasured travel accessory when I fly. For more on travel, here’s our favorite tech essentials to travel with and our favorite travel pillows.

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