Long Haul with Kids - no foot pillows :(

[wendlle]

When we fly long haul we always took our fly tot with us so the kids could sleep - and they slept so well.
Now we have to fly United who don't allow it.

Any tips on how to get the kids to sleep well without one? My eldest is 6 and really quite tall, youngest will be 4.
I notice the plane is filling up and we already have people next to us, so no chance of having a vacant seat to let them spread out.

Just looking for any tips if you have any, as we haven't had to do it without the foot pillows before.

 

[Freq Flier 2013]

When we fly long haul we always took our fly tot with us so the kids could sleep - and they slept so well.
Now we have to fly United who don't allow it.

Any tips on how to get the kids to sleep well without one? My eldest is 6 and really quite tall, youngest will be 4.
I notice the plane is filling up and we already have people next to us, so no chance of having a vacant seat to let them spread out.

Just looking for any tips if you have any, as we haven't had to do it without the foot pillows before.

Hi Wendlle
No tips from me but thank you for sharing that such a thing exists. I googled foot pillow plane and it such a cool invention. If allowed I will get one for my child one she gets a bit bigger. I can see it being very comfortable to use.

 

[wendlle]

Hi Wendlle
No tips from me but thank you for sharing that such a thing exists. I googled foot pillow plane and it such a cool invention. If allowed I will get one for my child one she gets a bit bigger. I can see it being very comfortable to use.

Not a problem, I highly recommend them.
A lot of airlines allow them but an equal amount don’t.
I wish I had checked before booking with United as it’s a deal breaker for us.
I found a seat to sleep pillow and purchased those, it’s not ideal but looks more comfortable for the kids than the horrid airline pillows.

 

[Scarlett]

As a last resort, sounds like armrests up and the kids legs go across your lap…

Are the things you mention, blow up pillows? Could you blow them up when ready for sleep and cover with a blanket? Do you have an equivalent sized carry on bag that could be used instead?

 

[wendlle]

As a last resort, sounds like armrests up and the kids legs go across your lap…

Are the things you mention, blow up pillows? Could you blow them up when ready for sleep and cover with a blanket? Do you have an equivalent sized carry on bag that could be used instead?

We’ve tried this before, they are aware of them and will do anything to stop them from being used.
I have no idea why when so many airlines have deemed them perfectly safe. It’s not worth the risk in using it.
A suitcase would I imagine not be allowed either, they won’t let anything get in the way of the footwells.

The seat to sleep pillow looks good I’ll let them lie across me but the pillow looks pretty comfortable and makes cushioning the armrest good.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We’ve tried this before, they are aware of them and will do anything to stop them from being used.
I have no idea why when so many airlines have deemed them perfectly safe. It’s not worth the risk in using it.
A suitcase would I imagine not be allowed either, they won’t let anything get in the way of the footwells.

The seat to sleep pillow looks good I’ll let them lie across me but the pillow looks pretty comfortable and makes cushioning the armrest good.

I think there’s a difference between a blow up foot cube and piece of cabin luggage… the latter could be time consuming to deflate and stow in the event of an emergency. The cabin bag in theory could be placed fairly quickly back up in the overhead locker, or shunted under the seat in front.

I have never had an issue using a cabin bag on the floor, but I’ve always deployed it somewhat discretely… ie after the meal service when the cabin and crew are winding down and settling in.

 

[wendlle]

I think there’s a difference between a blow up foot cube and piece of cabin luggage… the latter could be time consuming to deflate and stow in the event of an emergency. The cabin bag in theory could be placed fairly quickly back up in the overhead locker, or shunted under the seat in front.

I have never had an issue using a cabin bag on the floor, but I’ve always deployed it somewhat discretely… ie after the meal service when the cabin and crew are winding down and settling in.

The pillows deflate in less than 5 seconds which is why they are safe.
You pull an easy to reach tab and it’s down in seconds.

 

[Forg]

Would putting the offspring in the overhead storage fix everything in this thread?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The pillows deflate in less than 5 seconds which is why they are safe.
You pull an easy to reach tab and it’s down in seconds.

Different airlines will have a view on their level of safety. Maybe not all foot cushions deflate in five seconds? Or as easily as yours.

I can see a difference between something which needs to be deflated and something which can just be pushed immediately under the seat in front.

 

[wendlle]

Different airlines will have a view on their level of safety. Maybe not all foot cushions deflate in five seconds? Or as easily as yours.

I can see a difference between something which needs to be deflated and something which can just be pushed immediately under the seat in front.

I’m just saying having used them, it’s quicker to deflate it than push a suitcase under a seat
That’s how fast they go down

Regardless it’s all good I’m happy with the seat to sleep pillows I’ve purchased and I’m sure the kids will get enough rest

 

[Franky]

The pillows deflate in less than 5 seconds which is why they are safe.
You pull an easy to reach tab and it’s down in seconds.

Nothing goes according to plan when the proverbial hits the fan…

 

[Scarlett]

Would putting the offspring in the overhead storage fix everything in this thread?

No room, what with all the kitchen sinks and HLO pax these days.

 

[milehighclub]

The issue with these devices isn't if they deflate quickly or not. It is usually because most airlines don't allow unsecured items in the cabin (and in Australia that is a CASA requirement so neither QF or VA will allow them) and they may also damage aircraft fixtures, like floor level decompression panels.

 

[Forg]

No room, what with all the kitchen sinks and HLO pax these days.

What if you fold them up into one of those plastic vacuum-bags & suck all the air out?

 

[Scarlett]

What if you fold them up into one of those plastic vacuum-bags & suck all the air out?

Your avatar is making more sense by the day!