How to Connect AirFly to AirPods: A Complete Setup Guide

The Twelve South AirFly solves a specific problem: it lets you use wireless headphones — including AirPods — with devices that only have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Airplane entertainment systems, gym equipment, older TVs, and in-flight screens all fall into this category. Connecting AirFly to AirPods is straightforward once you understand how the device actually works.

What the AirFly Actually Does

Before jumping into steps, it helps to know what you're working with. The AirFly is a Bluetooth transmitter, not a receiver. You plug it into a headphone jack, and it broadcasts audio wirelessly to your AirPods (or any Bluetooth headphones). Your AirPods connect to the AirFly — not to the seat-back screen or the treadmill. The source device just sees a standard wired connection.

This distinction matters because the pairing process happens between the AirFly and your AirPods, not between your AirPods and the audio source.

Step-by-Step: Pairing AirPods to AirFly for the First Time 🎧

What you'll need:

• AirFly device (any model)
• AirPods in their case
• A device with a 3.5mm headphone jack

1. Plug in the AirFly Insert the AirFly's 3.5mm connector into the headphone jack of your audio source. The LED indicator will light up, confirming it has power.

2. Put the AirFly into pairing mode Press and hold the AirFly's pairing button until the LED flashes rapidly. The exact blink pattern varies slightly between AirFly models (Pro, SE, Duo), but rapid flashing universally signals that it's discoverable.

3. Open your AirPods case near the AirFly With the AirPods inside the case, open the lid. Then press and hold the small circular button on the back of the AirPods case until the status light on the case flashes white. This puts the AirPods into pairing mode.

4. Wait for the connection The AirFly will detect your AirPods and pair automatically. The LED on the AirFly will shift from rapid flashing to a steady light or slow pulse, indicating a successful connection. This usually takes under 30 seconds.

5. Test the audio Play something from your audio source. You should hear it through your AirPods. If the volume is low, check both the source device's volume output and your AirPods' volume independently.

Reconnecting After the First Pairing

Once paired, the AirFly remembers your AirPods. On subsequent uses:

1. Plug the AirFly into the headphone jack
2. Open your AirPods case (AirPods inside)
3. The two devices should reconnect automatically within a few seconds

You typically won't need to repeat the full pairing process unless you've reset either device, paired the AirFly to a different set of headphones, or reset your AirPods.

AirFly Model Differences That Affect Setup

Twelve South makes several AirFly versions, and they handle connections differently:

The AirFly Duo introduces a second pairing slot, which means the pairing process involves deciding which "channel" each set of headphones occupies. If you're pairing AirPods to a Duo alongside another pair of headphones, each device pairs separately using the same hold-button method above.

Common Issues and What Causes Them

AirPods not showing up or connecting: The most common cause is that the AirPods are already connected to another device — typically your iPhone or Mac. AirPods aggressively maintain existing connections. Before pairing to AirFly, either disconnect the AirPods from your other devices via Bluetooth settings, or put your iPhone in your bag with Bluetooth temporarily off.

Audio cutting in and out: Bluetooth range between the AirFly and AirPods matters here. The AirFly needs to stay within roughly 10 meters (33 feet) of your AirPods without significant obstructions. On an airplane, the AirFly plugged into the armrest jack and AirPods in your ears is well within range — but leaving the AirFly dangling awkwardly can sometimes cause physical jack issues that interrupt audio.

One AirPod working, one silent: This is usually an AirPods-specific issue unrelated to the AirFly. Check that both AirPods are seated properly in the case before pairing, and that neither has a low charge.

AirFly LED not lighting up: ⚡ Some headphone jacks — particularly on older airplane entertainment systems — don't provide enough power output to run the AirFly without its built-in battery. The AirFly Pro addresses this with a USB-C port for external power. If you're using a model without this, a fully charged AirFly battery matters.

The Variables That Shape Your Experience

How smoothly this works depends on a few factors specific to your situation:

• Which AirPods generation you have — all AirPods models use standard Bluetooth pairing, so the process is consistent, but newer AirPods generations may behave differently when switching between devices
• Whether your AirPods are already enrolled in iCloud device switching — automatic switching between Apple devices can pull AirPods away from the AirFly mid-use
• The quality of the headphone jack on your source device — worn or loosely-fitting jacks on airplane seats are a frequent culprit for intermittent audio
• Which AirFly model you're using — battery life, power input options, and dual-pairing all affect real-world use

The setup process itself is consistent across scenarios, but whether it becomes seamless or occasionally finicky depends heavily on the environment you're using it in and how your AirPods are currently configured across your other Apple devices.