The Avantree Relay is a compact airplane Bluetooth adapter for travellers who want to use AirPods, Bose, Sony, Beats or other wireless headphones with a plane’s wired entertainment screen. Plug it into a standard 3.5 mm headphone socket, or use the supplied dual-prong airline adapter where needed, and it sends screen audio to one or two Bluetooth headphones.
This Avantree Relay review examines whether it deserves a place among your long-haul flight accessories. It is a practical choice for travellers who want to replace airline-issued wired headphones with their own wireless pair, particularly on long routes where a comfortable headset makes a real difference.
What Is the Avantree Relay?
The Avantree Relay is a Bluetooth audio transmitter. It takes sound from a wired 3.5 mm headphone output and sends it wirelessly to Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. It is designed primarily for aircraft entertainment screens, but it can also work with compatible hotel televisions, gym machines, laptops, tablets and gaming devices with a 3.5 mm audio output.
It is important to understand what it does not do. Relay is a transmitter only: it sends audio from a wired source to Bluetooth headphones. It cannot receive Bluetooth music from an iPhone or Android phone and send it to a wired car stereo, old speaker dock or traditional headphones.
That makes it a focused travel accessory rather than an all-purpose audio adapter. If your priority is using wireless headphones with in-flight entertainment, the simple design is an advantage. If you also want an adapter for a rental car or an older home stereo, choose a transmitter-and-receiver model instead.
Why It Is Good for Flights
Most travellers now use Bluetooth headphones, yet many aircraft entertainment systems still require a wired connection. The Relay bridges that gap, allowing you to watch films, television programmes and listen to music through the headphones you already find comfortable.
- Use your preferred headphones: Pair with AirPods, Bose, Sony, Beats, JBL and other Bluetooth headphones or earbuds.
- Keep active noise cancellation: Compatible noise-cancelling headphones can make engine hum and cabin noise less distracting.
- Share one screen: Connect up to two Bluetooth headphones to the same in-flight entertainment system.
- Use common aircraft connectors: Connect through the built-in 3.5 mm plug or the supplied dual-prong airline adapter.
- Pack lightly: The 15 g design takes up almost no room in hand luggage.
- Use it after landing: Connect wireless headphones to compatible hotel TVs, gym equipment and other AUX-output devices.
For couples, friends and families, dual pairing is the standout feature. Two people can watch the same film with their own headphones, without sharing earbuds, carrying a cable splitter or trying to synchronise separate seat-back screens.
It does have limits. A wireless adapter cannot repair a faulty entertainment system, improve an aircraft’s original audio track or guarantee perfect lip-sync with every headphone model. Its role is to create a more comfortable connection between a wired screen and your own headphones.
Avantree Relay Specifications
| Feature | Specification | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Offers a modern wireless connection for compatible Bluetooth headphones and earbuds. |
| Claimed play time | Up to 20 hours | Suitable for many long-haul flights, although it should be charged before travel. |
| Charging time | About 2 hours | Easy to recharge before the airport or during a hotel stay. |
| Headphone pairing | Up to 2 Bluetooth headphones | Lets two people share one aircraft entertainment screen. |
| Audio input | 3.5 mm AUX plug and supplied dual-prong airline adapter | Works with most compatible modern and older aircraft audio ports. |
| Supported codecs | aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency and SBC | Codec support can influence sound quality and video delay. |
| Operating range | Up to 10 metres | Far more than needed at an aircraft seat. |
| Dimensions | 125 x 24 x 12 mm | Small enough for a travel-tech pouch. |
| Weight | 15 g | Adds negligible weight to carry-on luggage. |
Relay supports several Bluetooth codecs, including aptX Low Latency. A lower-delay connection is possible only when both the transmitter and your headphones support the same relevant codec. AirPods connect normally, but Apple headphones do not use aptX, so AirPods users should not expect aptX Low Latency specifically.
Bluetooth Adapter for AirPods on a Plane
For travellers searching for a Bluetooth adapter for AirPods on a plane, the Relay is straightforward once paired. Before leaving home, put the AirPods in pairing mode by opening the case and holding its setup button until the status light flashes white. Then pair them with the Relay and test the connection through a laptop or another device with a headphone output.
At your seat, connect the Relay to the screen’s headphone port and start your film. You may need to raise the volume on both the seat-back screen and your AirPods. The same basic process works with Bose, Sony and other Bluetooth headphones, although the exact pairing button or sequence depends on the manufacturer.
How to Use It on a Plane
Set up the Avantree Relay before leaving for the airport. Fully charge it, pair it with your headphones at home and test it with a laptop, television or another device with a 3.5 mm output. Doing this in advance saves time while you are boarding and settling into your seat.
- Charge the Avantree Relay before travelling.
- Turn off Bluetooth on nearby devices that could reconnect automatically to your headphones.
- Turn on your Bluetooth headphones or earbuds and activate pairing mode.
- Switch on the Relay and pair it with your headphones.
- Plug the Relay into the aircraft entertainment screen’s 3.5 mm headphone socket.
- Use the supplied dual-prong adapter if the seat has two small audio sockets.
- Select a film, television programme or music channel on the screen.
- Adjust volume on both the seat-back screen and your headphones.
- Pair a second Bluetooth headset if another traveller wants to listen.
Keep the transmitter clear of the tray-table mechanism and do not force the plug into a recessed socket. It is sensible to carry basic wired headphones as a backup on a very long flight, particularly when travelling with children or when onboard entertainment will matter to you.
Avantree Relay Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lets Bluetooth headphones work with wired aircraft entertainment systems. | Transmitter-only operation; it cannot send phone audio to a wired car stereo or speaker. |
| Pairs two Bluetooth headphones at the same time. | Requires charging before travel. |
| Includes a dual-prong adapter for many older aircraft audio ports. | First-time pairing can take a few minutes if headphones reconnect to a phone. |
| Up to 20 hours of claimed battery life works for many long-haul routes. | Minor audio delay can occur with some headphone models and codecs. |
| Extremely light and compact. | Not useful on flights without a seat-back screen or headphone port. |
| Useful with compatible hotel televisions and gym equipment. | Cannot improve poor onboard audio or fix a faulty screen. |
Who Should Buy It?
The Avantree Relay is most useful for frequent long-haul travellers, people who rely on active noise-cancelling headphones and couples who want to share films. It is particularly helpful on routes from the UK to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, North America and Australia, where a seat-back screen can make up many hours of the journey.
It is also worth considering if you regularly encounter wired hotel televisions or gym machines. The Relay gives Bluetooth headphones another use beyond listening from a phone, and it avoids packing separate wired headphones purely for a hotel-room television.
If Japan is your destination, use the flight to organise practical arrival details. Our guide to planning a trip to Japan covers the booking timeline and arrival essentials, while the broader Japan travel guide can help you choose destinations and travel seasons.
Who Should Skip It?
Skip the Relay if you mainly take short-haul flights without seat-back screens, always watch films on a tablet or phone, or prefer wired headphones. It is also not the right device if you need a Bluetooth receiver for a car stereo or older speaker; choose a two-way transmitter-and-receiver model instead.
Choosing an Alternative
The best airplane Bluetooth adapter travellers can choose depends on where else they will use it. The Relay is a dedicated transmitter, so it is best for in-flight entertainment, compatible hotel televisions and gym machines. A two-way adapter is more suitable if you need Bluetooth receiver mode for a car AUX port, an older speaker or a home sound system.
The Twelve South AirFly Pro 2 is one recognised alternative for travellers who need transmitter and receiver modes. It can connect two Bluetooth headphones, is charged by USB-C and has a claimed battery life of more than 25 hours. Check the exact retailer package before buying, especially if a dual-prong airline adapter is essential for your flights.
Before ordering any Bluetooth transmitter for flights, confirm four points: that it is a transmitter rather than only a receiver, that it supports two headphones if you want shared listening, that its battery claim suits your route, and that it includes the connector you need. A 3.5 mm plug works with many systems, but some older aircraft use two small sockets and require an airline adapter.
Long-Haul Travel Preparation
A Bluetooth adapter is only one part of a better long-haul setup. Keep it in the same pouch as a short USB-C cable, power bank, charging plug, travel adaptor and wired backup headphones. Store that pouch in the personal item beneath the seat, rather than in the overhead locker, so it stays accessible after boarding.
For a first Japan trip, use the journey to check your hotel addresses, arrival plan and onward transport. The 7-day Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka itinerary is a useful starting point, while our Japan travel budget guide can help you plan spending before departure.
Tokyo is a common first stop for travellers arriving in Japan, and our Tokyo travel guide can help you decide where to stay and what to prioritise after landing. If Kyoto is part of your route, compare the practical differences in our Kyoto Station versus Gion guide before booking accommodation.
For more route ideas after arrival, browse our things to do in Japan guide. It can help you turn a comfortable long-haul journey into a more organised first few days on the ground.
Flight Safety and Bluetooth Use
Always follow cabin crew instructions about electronic devices. Keep your phone in flight mode when required, listen to the safety briefing and remove headphones whenever a crew member needs your attention. Airline policies can differ by route and aircraft.
Wait until the crew confirm that personal electronic devices may be used before switching on Bluetooth accessories. A Bluetooth adapter for Bose headphones, AirPods or Sony headphones can make a flight more comfortable, but it should never take priority over onboard safety requirements.
Final Verdict
The Avantree Relay is one of the most useful long-haul flight accessories for travellers who own Bluetooth headphones but still use wired aircraft entertainment systems. It is light, compact, supports two listeners, includes a dual-prong airline adapter and offers up to 20 hours of claimed play time.
It is not necessary for a short flight without a seat-back screen, but it is an easy recommendation for frequent long-haul flyers, couples and noise-cancelling headphone users. Charge it before you leave home, pair it with your headphones in advance and carry a basic wired headset as a backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Avantree Relay work with AirPods on a plane?
Yes. Pair AirPods with the Relay, plug it into the aircraft screen’s headphone port and use the supplied dual-prong adapter if the seat has two small audio sockets. AirPods use standard Bluetooth and do not support aptX.
Can two people use Avantree Relay at the same time?
Yes. Relay can connect two Bluetooth headphones or pairs of earbuds simultaneously, allowing two people to listen to one in-flight entertainment screen.
Does Avantree Relay work with Bose and Sony headphones?
Yes. The Relay works with Bluetooth headphones and earbuds from Bose, Sony, Apple, Beats, JBL and other major brands. The exact connection quality and audio delay depend on the headphones and their supported codec.
Can I connect Avantree Relay directly to an iPhone?
No. Relay cannot receive Bluetooth sound directly from an iPhone. It sends sound from a wired 3.5 mm source to Bluetooth headphones.
Is a Bluetooth adapter allowed on a plane?
Follow the airline’s policy and cabin crew instructions. Use Bluetooth accessories only when permitted and keep your phone in flight mode whenever required.
What is the best airplane Bluetooth adapter in the UK?
Avantree Relay is a strong dedicated flight option for most travellers. A two-way adapter such as AirFly Pro 2 is more suitable if you also need receiver mode for car stereos or wired speakers.
Where can I buy the Aventree Relay?
Avantree Relay can be bought using this link.