Getting your child to have a decent sleep on a long haul flight, is the dream of many parents, including my own! There are now a myriad of products on the market offering an inflight sleep solution; some with either an airplane seat extender which extends a mattress from the footwell to the seat; inflates into the footwell to fill in the gap or acts as a larger comfy but portable pillow. All of them can potentially be used for young kids or as airplane beds for toddlers, depending on individual airline rules. We take a look at all the options, review the pros and cons of airplane beds for kids and what airlines allow.
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Everything you need to know about Airplane Beds for Toddlers • Child Airplane Seat Extenders • Sleep Devices & Inflatable Leg-Rests
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We’ve tried and tested most, researched and updated which airlines do & don’t allow them and found out all you need to know before making a purchase. Airlines do not provide these!
Inflight sleep products like these, have become a natural part of our cabin baggage, shared out to friends to try too, and have a degree of influence over which airlines we now choose to fly to some destinations.
These inflight comfort devices or seat extenders, (also known as “inflatable foot rests”, “inflatable travel mattresses”, “convertible in-flight beds” or “bed boxes” ), are an ingenious way of converting an economy seat into a comfortable flat bed for kids and cheaper than an upgrade!
They take little time to set up, are relatively light and don’t take up much space: all attractive qualities for parents traveling with kids. Applies to travel strollers for toddlers too!
What Airplane Beds for Toddlers Are Available and Which are the Best?
The three main contenders for the best airplane beds for toddlers (and the ones which are currently most likely to be approved by airlines are):
Jetkids BedBox by Stokke
This is the only one I haven’t tried but I have friends who have. It not only converts an economy seats into an inflight bed, but also acts as ride on suitcase with some extra storage space inside. (It also houses the mattress.) With the straps you can pull a 3 year old along around the airport or offer them somewhere clean to sit whilst in a queue.
On board, you simply take out the mattress, stand the suitcase up and et voila the bed is made!
Pros: it doubles up as a ride on and is very easy to set up.
Cons: Not a lot of storage space and bulky if your kids doesn’t want to ride on it!
PlanePal
Dimensions: 75cm wide x 37cm long x 44cm high
Age range: 2-8 years
Amazon UK price: Check here
The PlanePal airplane beds for toddler and young children is an inflatable foot rest made of smooth black vinyl which is simple to use: blow it up and position in your child’s foot space.
The inventors have designed in flexibility by allowing you to use it in three ways: lengthways in line with the seat ideal if you have the extra space at the bulkhead bassinet position), widthways across the seat base, or upside down. That’s because the Plane Pal is T-shaped and wider at the top than the bottom, so if you’re struggling to squeeze it in behind the seat in front, just flip it on its head.
It takes just over two minutes to inflate using a hand pump, which comes in the Plane Pal carry case along with the mattress.
Pros: Packs up small, easy to set up.
Cons: Can be a bit fiddly with the pump. For a full PlanePal review on Singapore Airlines see here
FlyAway
This product has been made with the IATA (International Air Transport Association) guidelines in mind. For those airlines which specify only certain brands of seat extenders can be used, in my opinion, I think this one will be added to their lists.
Dimensions: 50cm wide x 60-80cm long x 52cm high
Load: up to 50kg
Age range: 2-7 years
It takes about 100 seconds to inflate, given there’s less volume to blow up than in the Plane Pal. Again there are two inflation valves which operate one-way to prevent any air escaping while you blow it up, and a third escape red valve which releases air pressure if you over inflate.
Read my full FlyAway review here. Get 10 US$ off the Flyaway direct from their website – they ship internationally and can deduct the equivalent of your currency.. Code is below just click it to go to their website.
Do Airlines Allow Airplane Toddler Beds & Inflatable Footrests?
Quick answer? Some do and some don’t. Below details the airlines which officially allow or prohibit them and state this on their website. Just click on the links to view their entire policy.
Airlines who officially do NOT allow most sleep travel gadgets/airplane beds for toddlers and say so on their website are:
- Air Canada do not allow certain products but have recently approved Flyaway – website to be updated but official approval has been seen.
- Air France
- Air New Zealand
- British Airways ( they ONLY allow the CoziGo Bassinet cover)
- Emirates
- Jetstar
- Lufthansa
- THAI
- Turkish Airlines (Their safety team clarified they do not currently permit any inflatable device)
- Qantas
- United .
Airlines which OFFICIALLY APPROVE some sleep devices for children (as long as certain guidelines are met) and say so on their website:
However, note that the final decision will always rest with the crew.
- Air Mauritius
- Air Canada – only approve Flyaway.
- Air Vanuatu
- Cathay Pacific
- Etihad
- EVA air
- Garuda
- KLM
- LATAM
- Singapore Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin Australia – see more about their policies and facilities for flying with kids here.
Choose Your Seats wisely Before using
All airlines that permit the use of the BedBox, PlanePal, FlyAway et al, do have certain requirements about their use, and where they can be used. For example, they must not be used on an aisle seat. Other rules include: (but are not limited too)
RULES FOR USING AN INFLIGHT SLEEP DEVICE
- Inflatable inflight beds may only be used at the window seats or the middle seat between the aisles.
- The childs head must be toward the back of their own seat.
- Your child must also be able to fasten the seatbelt under his or her arm when using the inflight bed.
- If your child is under two years of age, he or she must be removed from the convertible inflight bed, and secured with an infant seatbelt whenever the seatbelt sign is switched on.
- The item must not interfere with the comfort of another passenger
- It must not be attached to any part of the aircraft.
For a run through of alternatives to the detailed airplane beds above, see below.
Best Airplane Beds For Toddlers
- you can transform the suitcase into a bed in 5 simple steps
- has ample storage and once packed, can be pulled or ridden by your little one
- designed with shock-absorbing front swivel wheels for easy maneuvering
- has an adjustable strap so you can pull or carry it over your shoulder
- has a practical top opening lid to prevent items from falling out along the way
- Weight: 7.26 pounds
- Dimensions: 18 x 14 x 8 inches
Imagine an inflatable foot rest made of smooth black vinyl, and you have the Plane Pal. It’s simple to use: blow it up and position in your child’s foot space.
The inventors have designed in flexibility by allowing you to use it in three ways: lengthways in line with the seat, widthways across the seat base, or upside down. That’s because the Plane Pal is T-shaped and wider at the top than the bottom, so if you’re struggling to squeeze it in behind the seat in front, just flip it on its head.
It takes just over two minutes to inflate using a hand pump, which comes in the Plane Pal carry case along with the mattress.
Amazon UK price: Check here Similar products on Amazon worldwide see here Dimensions: 75cm wide x 37cm long x 44cm high- Age range: 2-8 years
If you are wondering how can I get my child to sleep on a plane, this may be the answer? More than a travel pillow or an inflatable leg rest pillow, the Flyaway is an L-shaped mattress, where the uppermost section rests on top of the aeroplane seat, supported by a ‘leg’ which braces against the floor and keeps the bed level.
Made of light grey vinyl, it’s a very slick piece of product design. t takes about 100 seconds to inflate. There are two inflation valves which operate one-way to prevent any air escaping while you blow it up, and a third escape valve which releases air pressure if you over-inflate.
It even has a couple of token side bolsters, though whether they’d have the heft to stop a kid rolling off sideways is questionable. However, these are useful during play time; to stop toys and crayons rolling off the wipeable seat.
It is pricier than other sleep devices such as the Plane Pal and Fly Tot but cheaper than than Stokke JetKids Bed Box.The Flyaway comes in a convenient travel pouch with its own small pump and easily fits into your carry on luggage.
- Dimensions: 50cm wide x 60-80cm long x 52cm high
- Load: up to 50kg/110lbs
- Max height: 130cm/4 ft,3 "
- Age range: 2-7 years
Price: £120.00/£98.00 Currently only available from the Flyaway website, although they do ship internationally. Get 10% off Flyaway using the code FLYINGWITHABABY10%
Budget Alternatives to the Original ideas Above.
Some airlines are very specific on what types of airplane bed, infaltable leg rest, pillow sleep device fo rkids etc are approved to bring on board. If your airline allows generic brands then the options below might be worth considering.
- Wide double seal air valves enable manual inflation in under 2 minutes
- deflates easily for a compact fit into any suitcase, drawer or car
- comprised of 2 cushions that can make 3 different heights
- The small and large cushion can attach via a hook-and-loop fastener on each side
- Two Cushions Combined - Can be used on a plane for children under 3 feet to lie down.
- easy to deflate and put away for later use
- Material: PVC
- Weight: 1.61 pounds
- Dimensions: 17 x 11 x 17 inches
- designed with our unique wide-circle, leakproof valve so you can fully inflate in less than 1 minute
- made of super-soft, highly durable and eco-friendly PVC flocking
- shrinks down into a small, lightweight 4" x 4" x 7" cylinder when deflated
- comes ready to go with a machine washable dust cover, compact carrying bag, and a handy attaching clip that makes for even more portability
- Material: Premium PVC Flocking
- Weight: 15.2 ounces
- Dimensions: 2.76 x 1.73 x 1.73 inches
- designed with two double cap valves and adjustable height
- the double cap valve design makes inflation very quickly and you don't need an extra pump
- when not in use, you can fold it into its drawstring bag
- cleaning is easy, just wipe the surface with a soft dry cloth
- You can adjust the foot rest pillow to 1 or 2 layers
- Material: Polyvinyl Chloride
- Weight: 0.8 Pounds
- Dimensions: 18 x 17 x 12 inches
- this footrest can be used to fill the gap in front of your seats and increase the rest space on the plane
- easy to inflate, No air pump needed, It takes about one or half minutes to inflate
- deflating takes only 3-5 seconds
- has two valves designed, which is much leakproof compared with competitors
- 3 different height that can be adjusted through different valves
- comes with a bottom dust cover and storage bag
- Material: Polyvinyl Chloride
- Weight: 0.8 Pounds
- Dimensions: 91.68 x 60.48 x 40.8 inches
- made of washable soft PVC flocking, which is environmentally friendly and healthy, soft and durable.
- can be compressed to 7 by 4.2 inches and put into its drawstring bag for travel/storage
- 2-in-1 double valve design - the upper black air valve is a one-way air inlet for inflating or replenishing air, the bottom transparent air valve can be quickly inflated and deflated
- can be adjusted into three different heights
- Material: Rayon
- Weight: 0.8 Pounds
- Dimensions: 18 x 15 x 9 inches
- made of washable soft PVC flocking, and does not contain any harmful chemical components
- perfectly aligned with the height of the airplane seat
- the double-valve mechanical device provides a faster inflation and deflation process
- has three different heights
- can be folded into a 9"x10" drawstring bag
- comes with a storage bage
- Material: Polyvinyl Chloride
- Weight: 0.8 Pounds
- Dimensions: 18 x 15 x 12 inches
- this inflatable foot rest pillow is great for travel, car, trains, home and office
- has a double valve design, you can inflate by blowing or by using a hand pump,
- inflation takes about one minute, can be deflated in 5 seconds
- comes with a removable washable cover
- height is adjustable (5 inches, 11.8 inches or 16.9 inches)
- Material: Polyvinyl Chloride
- Weight: 0.8 Pounds
- Dimensions: 17.7 x 15.7 x 11.8 inches
- use this versatile inflatable foot rest pillow to fill the gap between two seats on an airplane to increase your rest space
- has two separate air chambers - the lower chamber for 1-level height, and the upper chamber for 2-level height
- has 2-in-1 double valve - the upper black air valve is a one-way air inlet for inflating or replenishing air, the bottom transparent air valve can be quickly inflated and deflated
- the double valve is designed for mouth blowing, It only takes about one or half minutes
- deflation takes only 3-5 seconds
- made of tear-resistant material
- comes with a removable washable drawstring bag
- Material: PVC
- Weight: 0.8 Pounds
- Dimensions: 17 x 15 x 9 inches
- ride-on luggage with 20L capacity
- can hold up to 60kg
- the panel has a 15° inclined design which makes the suitcase more stable
- the suitcase can be pulled along or your little ones can ride it themselves through the airport
- has an adjustable strap for carrying
- Weight: 9.78 pounds
- Dimensions: 20 x 7.8 x 17.7 inches
My airline won’t allow a Toddler Airplane Bed. What other child sleep devices options are there?
Although there are gadgets like Fly Legs Up and the Flyebaby hammock, there are even fewer airlines which permit their use. This is because they directly apply weight to the tray table or seat which hasn’t been built or tested for that. I do not recommend purchasing these.
It can also cause damage to the seat and tray table. Below are a couple of products which seem to be permitted on most airlines as they are effectively a larger version of a travel pillow. There may, however be restrictions on their use; for example on take off and during landing.
Travel Snug
The Travel Snug encompasses a child with a fleecy material. It pads out the seat a bit more and makes the arm rests a comfortable place to rest a weary head. It’s a bit bulky to carry, although it does have straps to make it easier, but it is very comfy as an airplane bed for toddlers. Read my full review for further details here.
Seat To Sleep
The Seat to Sleep is a very portable travel pillow. It packs up small and it is inflatable. Read my full review for further details here.
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