Toddler parents praise 'utterly game-changing' plane add-on: 'First trip no cries'
Being on a long-flight with a screaming baby or toddler can be a nightmare for everyone involved, not least the poor parents who are trying to keep the peace without attracting glares from other passengers.
It's exactly why families are raving about a £46 Amazon purchase that's been called a 'game-changer' for travelling with kids.
The Blublu Park airplane bed is essentially a small, portable mattress that inflates to extend the seat - allowing little ones to lie down during a flight.
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One happy customer called it "absolutely perfect", explaining: "My little one slept seven hours of a 10-hour flight! Highly recommend this product."
Another parent added: "We took this on the plane for our 18 month old son, and it was very easy to install. It's a bit bulky to carry, but it's well worth the five hours on the plane with this product. Five stars." High praise.
How does the airplane bed work?
The Blublu Park airplane bed has high sides, plus the use of the seatbelt will prevent your little one from rolling off.
As well as being used to lie flat as a bed, it can also be handy for sitting upright with legs outstretched, or used as a play table as well to keep little minds busy.
It comes with a pump for inflating, however many people have said they did not use that as it is very loud and clunky and they just manually inflated it instead or brought their own foot pump.
One buyer wrote: "My daughter loved it 11 hour flight, first trip .. no cries! She loved sitting on it too!"
Are airplane beds allowed on all airlines?
Several passengers reported that their airlines were initially unsure of the rules around inflatable beds, but that they allowed it to be used once on board.
TUI
The TUI website says no, as they do not allow anything to be fastened to a seat, with one reviewer reporting: "Not allowed on TUI plane as it [...] blocks access in case of emergency"
British Airways
British Airways lists multiple brands of airplane beds they do allow; while Blublu Park isn't included, it seems to be at the discretion of whoever is working on the plane, as another reviewer added: "Flown with British airways and they allowed it."
Virgin Atlantic
The airline says on its website it only allows Plane Pal inflatable cushions and Flyaway Designs inflatable beds.
LADbible has reached out to Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 for further information on their airplane bed policy.
It's worth double checking with your airline before flying, and many airlines advise it must be stowed during taxi, takeoff, and landing to comply with FAA regulations and airline policy.
Jen Thomas