Flying with young children is challenging. This is why parents have embraced travel accessories that promise to eliminate some of this dread.
Flytot, Jet Kids BedBox, FlyLegs Up and Plane Pal are just a few examples of the popular contraptions that promise to make kids (and parents) more comfy when they’re trapped in a small confined space in the skies.
Cushions, hammocks, a suitcase, a ride-on toy and a device that turns economy-sized seats into a bed – just to name a few.
But now many parents who have loved using them so their infants could stretch out and have a comfy sleep, will now have to get used to going back to how it used to be.
Qantas and Jetstar have now updated their travel policy and just like the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, these in-flight travel accessories have joined as a prohibited device.
“Examples of prohibited in-flight accessories include, but are not limited to, inflatable cubes, ‘bed boxes’, and ‘leg hammocks’. This list is not exhaustive, and the decision to permit use of a particular device rests with the cabin crew on-board,” states Qantas’ Facebook page.
Customers are now questioning why they consider JetKids BedBoxes, Plane Pal and Fly Legs unsafe on their social media pages with a standard response.
“Safety is and will always be our top priority, Bed Boxes are considered an evacuation hazard as they block the walkway area’s off which will cause major problems in the case of an evacuation.”
The notifications has prompted one parent to respond that from now on she would consider choosing whichever airline allowed her family to fly with the travel accessories.
Parents have also taken to social media to express disappointment and dread at having to fly without the creature comforts they’ve grown accustomed to.
Many of them recounted their stories of happy travels with their children thanks to the gadgets in recent times.
The ban has also been a popular point of discussion on the social media pages of travel agents and people who rent them out as a business. A number of agencies were keen to notify their clients to be careful if they’d been planning to bring them along on their trip.
FlyLegs Up still maintains that most airlines are happy for you and/or your child to use the Flight Hammock.
“The hammock is such a NEW concept and on some occasions, you may be questioned by a cabin crew member.’ they state on the website.
They ask that if you were to be questioned, to let the crew know that the Fly LegsUp has been comprehensively tested by a CASA authorized aviation engineer.
There’s clearly a demand for these accessories and perhaps the airlines can work together with the inventors of these parent lifesavers to come up with a safe, acceptable product for everyone.
You should probably check the guidelines for your preferred airline before traveling.