The Best Plane Beds for Kids: 3 Options to Make Flights More Comfortable
If you've ever tried to get a toddler or young child to sleep on a long-haul flight, you'll know that an aeroplane seat isn't exactly designed for sleeping.
Little legs dangle off the edge, feet end up on the seat in front, heads slump sideways and, before you know it, you're spending half the night trying to stop your child from sliding down their seat.
Thankfully, there are now a few different products designed to give children more space to stretch out on a plane and sleep!
Some products create a proper flat bed, while others simply give your child somewhere to put their legs. And depending on your child's age, the airline you're flying with and how much space you have in your hand luggage, one option may make much more sense than another.
So, rather than giving you a huge list of individual products, I've narrowed it down to 3 types of plane beds and seat extenders worth knowing about.
The 3 types of plane beds for kids I'd consider
Important: Make sure you check the rules for the specific airline you're flying with. Airlines can have different policies, and permission can also depend on where you're sitting.
1. Inflatable Plane Bed
It's the most conformable option
If your main goal is to create somewhere your child can lie down, an inflatable plane bed is probably the option I'd look at first.
The idea is simple: once you're at cruising altitude and it's permitted by your airline, you inflate the bed in front of your child's seat. It fills the gap between the seat and the seat in front, creating a much larger and flatter surface than the standard aeroplane seat.
It's designed to create a flat sleeping and playing surface and comes with a pump. It inflates in around 90 seconds, packs into a small carry bag and weighs 1.3kg.
During a long flight, having a larger, contained surface can also make playing, reading and keeping toys within reach much easier.
Why I like this inflatable plane bed
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Your child can stretch out much more than they can in a normal seat.
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It creates a proper flat surface for sleeping.
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It can also be useful for playing during a long flight.
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The inflatable design means it packs down when you're not using it.
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It comes with its own pump and carry bag.
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The surface can be wiped clean.
You can check out the inflatable bed here: https://www.flyawaydesigns.com/discount/SOPHIE?ref=SOPHIE
DISCOUNT CODE to use during checkout: SOPHIE
2. Inflatable Footrest
Best for: parents who want extra legroom without buying a full plane bed
An inflatable footrest is a slightly different concept.
Instead of creating a bed across the whole seat, it fills the space in front of your child's seat, giving them somewhere to put their feet and legs.
There are a lot of brands available, and this is one category where I don't think you necessarily need to spend a fortune on a particular brand.
This is the one we use: https://amzlink.to/az0Skmkbhbw5z
Why an inflatable footrest can be useful
The biggest advantage is that it gives your child somewhere to put their legs.
That can make a surprisingly big difference on a long flight, particularly once they're tired and don't know what to do with their dangling feet.
And because it deflates, you can pack it away when you don't need it.
It's a great option if you want something relatively simple and affordable that gives little legs somewhere to go.
→ See inflatable footrests on Amazon
3. Fabric Seat Extender
It's the smaller option that barely takes up any space on your bag!
Instead of inflating anything, a fabric seat extender attaches around the tray table and seat area and creates a hammock-style platform for your child's legs.
These are much smaller and lighter than inflatable plane beds, which can be a huge advantage when you're already carrying hand luggage, snacks, toys and everything else your children need.
Why I like this option
The biggest benefit is how little space it takes up.
There's no pump and nothing to inflate or deflate. You simply attach it according to the manufacturer's instructions and your child has a supported area for their legs.
For a child who doesn't necessarily need a completely flat bed, this can be a really practical middle ground.
It's also worth considering for daytime flights when your child wants to relax but isn't necessarily going to sleep for hours.
→ See seat extenders on Amazon
So, which plane bed is best?
There isn't one option that is best for every child.
I'd choose based on how your child sleeps and how much space you want to give up in your luggage.
✈️ If your priority is sleep:
Go for an inflatable plane bed.
This gives your child the most space and creates the closest thing to a little bed on the plane.
🦶 If your child mainly needs somewhere for their legs:
It's a simpler option and can make a standard economy seat much more comfortable.
🎒 If you want something lightweight:
Look at a fabric seat extender.
These take up very little space and can be a great option when you don't want to carry an inflatable bed.
