The Toddler Airplane Beds and Seat Extenders Which Are Most Likely To Be Allowed

AND the ones that won’t be allowed.

We have tried and research many and with our background in aviation and our airline contacts, our guide shows the types most likely to be allowed and which airlines allow seat extenders, officially! And the ones that don’t! Don’t believe us? We have it backed up from the airlines themselves and link to their policies on their website in the majority of cases.

Everything you need to know about Child Airplane Seat Extenders, Sleep Devices & Inflatable Leg-Rests

We’ve tried and tested most, research and update which airlines do & don’t allow them and found out all you need to know before making a purchase.

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. But not all types are allowed.

In a hurry? DON’T buy the leg extenders that fix to the tray table in front. They are NOT allowed on pretty much any airline which is concerned about safety.

I am ex cabin crew and have friends and family who work for the airlines in engineering and the safety depts who also back this research up. These styles are not permitted as the tray tables are not tested for the additional weight and force.

Please don’t waste you money on these types of be influenced by someone who has got away with on social media. You will find that most airlines will clearly state on their website on happily inform you personally that any items cannot attach to an aircraft part.

What child seat extenders are available and which are the best?

The three main contenders (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! It is one of only three brands officially allowed on Virgin Atlantic. (Don’t worry, we have a full guide to what’s allowed on what airline further below, as more airlines do allow this type.

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  

Price from PlanePal UK: £92.99 (Discount code: KEQWELCOME for 10% off first order.)
Planepal stockist in USA (Keep ’em Quiet) $119.99 (Discount code: KEQWELCOME for 10% off first order and free shipping for orders over $75.)

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 but the new one is self inflating! For our 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. It recently has for British Airways (September 2024)

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. For 10US$ off click the offer code below and enter into directly onto their website on check out- it will adjust to different currencies.

The Rules for Airplane Toddler Beds

. Below details which airlines allow seat extenders, officially allow or prohibit them and state this on their website. Just click on the airline links to view their entire policy.

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)

• 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.

• Some airlines specify that the seatbelt MUST be used at all times when using one of the sleep devices. Also note, some airlines will ask you to stop using the device if it is turbulent and the seat belt sign is on. Please do check the rules above.

My airline won’t allow a child seat extender. 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.

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. We liked how it pads out the seat a bit more and makes the arm rests a comfortable place to rest a weary head. We found it a bit bulky to carry, although it rolls up liek a tube and it does have straps to make it easier. It is very comfy. Read my full review for further details here.

Seat To Sleep

The Seat to Sleep is a very portable travel pillow. It is infaltable so packs up small and easily attached to my bag with the clip. . Read my full review for further details here. Currently the Seat to Sleep is available to buy on the Seat to Sleep website for £39.00  (around US$50). UK delivery is charged from £4.99 per order and shipped worldwide for £9.99.

Seat to Sleep Discount Code: Readers can add the code FLYINGWITHABABY to receive 10% off at checkout.