There are few things more unpleasant than plane travel with kids.
While root canal surgery, being stabbed repeatedly with hundreds of tiny, red hot needles and child birth come close, none really compare to the agony that is taking to the skies with youngsters.
Anyone who has ever flown with children will verify the fact that you’ll do almost anything to make the trip slightly more comfortable.
It’s really no wonder that ‘travel sleeping devices’ for kids have become so popular. While adults often make do with an inflatable neck pillow, a brand new market has sprung up which promises to help kids get comfy (and ideally, go to sleep) during flight.
Flytot, FlyLegs Up and Plane Pal are all contraptions designed to give kids space to stretch out and snooze. The promise of (a small amount of) peace and quiet however has been smashed today by Qantas And Jetstar who have banned travel sleeping devices on their flights.
Image source: Plane Pal
Their reasoning? Safety, according to statements released across both the Qantas website and social media pages.
Image source: News.com.au
These items have been not sellers in the last 12 months with there even being businesses to hire them from for infrequent travellers. So, what’s a mum to do?
There is talk that actually upholding the ruling will come down to individual flight crew who are left to make the ultimate decision. Until then? Apart from a well timed bribe to staff (joke!!), it’s best to check with your airline, board anyway and hope for the best or find a new, travel accessory friendly airline. We wish you luck!
2 Comments
To be honest there have always been flight regulations. The US has been even more strict than this since we had our son 11 years ago. We can all still make it work.
In any line of business, surely product designers need to ensure their products are to code – anything to do with driving, flying, riding bikes – any kind of travel will tend to be extra strict. It makes sense.
There are still travel devices that fit with safety codes. And my son has always found my lap to be a comfortable pillow – we can still do up his seatbelt, and the armrest goes up between us. I don’t find this to be news.
I’d be interested to hear from other frequent flyers if this is really an issue.
As the holder of a Masters in Occupational Health and Safety, as well as 15 years working in the most hazardous industries Australia has to offer there is both merit and stupidity in the reasoning given by Qantas. Anything that has the potential to obstruct emergency access or access to emergency devices should not be allowed but in review of these products it is quite clear that the ban should apply to certain seats and not others (emergency access etc). They have the opportunity to come off as heroes by being sensible and advising parents during check in that “anyone wanting to use device a, b or c should avoid booking seats in rows 1, 2 or 3”.