Why the AirFly Bluetooth adaptor is a travel game-changer

There’s a certain thrill in discovering a gadget that solves an annoyance you don’t even realize is getting under your skin…until it’s too late.

For The Post’s commerce streaming reporter Angela Tricarico, two of those gadgets happen to come from the same brand: Twelve South. One of them saved her from the tyranny of airline earbuds. The other spared her from battling hotel room outlets like she was defusing a bomb. Neither takes up more space than a pack of gum, which is ideal if your carry-on is already straining at the zipper.

“I tested the AirFly on a handful of flights specifically to watch movies,” Tricarico told us. “And I liked the MagSafe charger because I could power up my phone and Apple Watch at the same time without needing extra outlets or cables.” Both gadgets are tiny, travel-ready, and legitimately useful. One gives your wireless headphones access to every audio jack from here to economy class. The other collapses into a chic little charging book you’ll want to keep in your bag even when you’re not traveling.

Here’s how each one worked for us, and why they earned a permanent spot in Tricarico’s travel kit (and gift-giving arsenal).

What sets Twelve South apart?

Twelve South isn’t in the business of making generic tech accessories — they’re in the business of solving very specific tech problems with products that are so sleek, they almost feel custom-made. From long-haul flights to hotel nightstands, their gear is designed to work exactly where mainstream brands fall short. The result? Gadgets that feel like secret weapons for frequent flyers, digital nomads, and anyone who refuses to sacrifice style for function.

Their standout? Precision. The AirFly bridges the gap between old-school AUX ports and modern Bluetooth headphones without bulk or fuss. The Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger is basically a power station folded into a travel-sized jewelry box. Every detail, from USB-C charging to multi-device compatibility, is clearly designed with real-life use in mind. It’s gear that feels like it was made by people who actually live out of a carry-on.

Our review

Twelve South AirFly SE

Pros:

Pairs with any brand of wireless headphones
Long 22-hour battery life
Compact and USB-C rechargeable

Cons:

Cable strain if not handled carefully

The Twelve South AirFly SE is a compact Bluetooth transmitter that lets you use your favorite wireless headphones with any device that has a 3.5mm audio jack — no cords, no adapters, no airline freebies required. Whether you’re watching a movie on a plane, using shared equipment at the gym, or plugging into an older game console, the AirFly SE bridges the gap between wired audio sources and modern Bluetooth headphones.

With a 20-hour battery life and USB-C charging, it’s travel-ready, simple to use, and perfect for anyone who refuses to go back to wired earbuds just because the aux port says so.

Tricarico calls it the “Best Bluetooth AUX Transmitter”, and not just for flying: “It’s not just for traveling — it works at communal gyms too if the treadmills have an AUX input.”

Hot tip from Tricarico: “While the AirFly Duo doesn’t have any major flaws, the one thing to keep in mind when using it is to make sure you’re not using other audio sources nearby, specifically when you’re connecting your headphones to the AirFly. If you’ve ever paired your wireless headphones with your cellphone, tablet, or laptop, and you have any of those devices up and running, they will compete with the AirFly and may not allow you to connect to it.”

Battery life: 22 hours | Charging: USB-C | Connectivity range: Up to 33 feet | Weight: 15g | Dimensions: 2.2 inches (plus short aux cable)

Twelve South Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger

Pros:

Charges iPhone and Apple Watch at once
Includes USB-C cord
Ultra-compact folding design
Works with MagSafe cases

Cons:

Only compatible with MagSafe-enabled iPhones
May not charge as quickly as a wall plug setup

The Butterfly Charger folds into a compact clamshell design and unfurls to charge both your iPhone (via MagSafe) and your Apple Watch simultaneously. It’s magnetically precise, folds up like a little gadget-y origami, and looks like something James Bond might keep in his dopp kit.

iPhone with pink charger — New York Post

The included USB-C cable eliminates the hunt for the “right cord,” and the entire thing weighs less than a granola bar.

Tricarico dubbed it the “Best MagSafe Charger” of the many she’s tested: “Its compact size, ability to charge both my phone and Apple Watch, and the included cord make it a standout. I used it at home and on vacation — especially when outlet space was limited.”

Input: USB-C | Output: MagSafe and Apple Watch charging modules | Folded size: Approx. 2.8″ x 2.8″ x 0.5″ | Weight: 90g

The final verdict

If you travel more than once a year — and especially if you’re part of the noise-canceling headphones cult — you’ll want the AirFly in your bag. It solves a problem you’ve probably resigned yourself to suffering through, and it does it in a way that feels seamless, not gimmicky.

The Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger, meanwhile, is for anyone tired of untangling chargers or crawling under hotel beds for outlets. Together, these two gadgets streamline the chaos of travel, and they actually earn the luggage space they take up. Tricarico keeps both in her carry-on.

How we tested

Tricarico tested the AirFly on several commercial flights. She paired it with Apple AirPods Pro to watch in-flight movies on seatback screens and noted how the Bluetooth connection outperformed any freebie airline headphones.

She tested the Butterfly 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger in multiple real-life scenarios: while traveling (with limited outlets), and at home (to test simultaneous vs. single-device charging). In both cases, it charged her iPhone and Apple Watch reliably without taking up valuable packing space or power outlets.

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