Inflatable Airplane Child Mattress Comparison: Flyaway vs. Plane Pal Travel Bed Review

We have tested both the Flyaway and Plane Pal on multiple long-haul flights, hoping to spare ourselves the ordeal of sleepless children during travel!

Our first few journeys were from London to Sydney with a layover in Singapore, flying Singapore Airlines with three young kids in tow.

If you’re uncertain about which travel bed to choose, we’ve shared our children’s opinions on both, along with key features, differences, and pricing.

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A critical piece of advice: Some airlines do not allow inflatable mattresses because they consider them safety hazards that could obstruct aisles during an emergency evacuation.

For the airlines that do allow them, there are specific rules: they must be placed in the window seat of outboard rows or in the middle seats of a four-seat central cluster.

Make sure to check your airline’s “Traveling With Children” section for their specific guidelines: We have also compiled a list of airlines that explicitly permit their use on their websites below.

You might also want to consider getting approval from your neighboring passenger, especially if it’s a parent with a bassinet overhead. They could be concerned that wayward child feet might disturb the sleeping baby.

Plane Pal Review

Picture an inflatable footrest made from smooth black vinyl, and you have the Plane Pal. It’s user-friendly: inflate it and position it in your child’s foot space.

The creators designed it with flexibility in mind, allowing you to use it in three orientations: lengthways in line with the seat, widthways across the base, or upside down.

That’s because the Plane Pal is T-shaped, being wider at the top than at the bottom, which makes it easy to maneuver behind the seat in front. This feature is especially handy for bulkhead seats.

It takes just over two minutes to inflate with the hand pump included in the Plane Pal carry case.

I found it easier to skip the pump and inflate it by mouth; while it took some effort, I found it quieter and simpler than using the pump.

There are two air chambers to fill, accessed through two concentric valves. The smaller valve features a clear stopper which allows air to flow one way, ensuring no air escapes while you inflate. Alternatively, if you’re worried about disturbing your neighbors with a loud pump, using your breath is a discreet option.

The larger outer valve is used to release air, allowing for quick deflation in about 20 seconds when both valves are opened.

Ensure it’s fully inflated and firm, as the Plane Pal enables children to stretch out comfortably. However, it’s not without flaws.

The Plane Pal’s inflated height might not align perfectly with the seat base, creating a ridge that could be bothersome for some children. My kids have used both mattresses but found the Flyaway to be more comfortable because of this issue.

A more significant concern for us was that even when positioned lengthwise, the Plane Pal didn’t completely fill the space between the seat base and the bulkhead, which caused it to shift as a child moved in their sleep. If you’re not in the front row of a cabin, this shouldn’t be an issue.

In summary, the simplicity of the Plane Pal is both its charm and its downfall.

While it offers a cost-effective solution, ensuring it fits snugly can be challenging. In our experience, my kids were more attracted to the pricier yet more bed-like Flyaway mattress.

The Flyaway features an L-shaped mattress design, with the upper section resting on top of the airplane seat and a ‘leg’ supporting it on the floor for stability. Constructed from grey vinyl, it is a sleek piece of product design.

Inflating the Flyaway takes about 100 seconds with the small blue hand pump. Since there’s less volume to inflate compared to the Plane Pal, the process is relatively quick. We also discovered a fantastic tiny electric pump, perfect for saving space.

Similar to the Plane Pal, the Flyaway has two inflation valves that operate one-way to prevent air from escaping, plus a third red valve that releases pressure if you over-inflate.

However, there’s a slight design compromise: one valve sits in the pillow area, which could cause discomfort for a child resting their head on the plastic cap. A small airline pillow or carry-on cushion can easily resolve this issue.

A key advantage of the Flyaway is that with the mattress resting on top of the seat’s base, children enjoy a seamless 80cm flat surface – a true ‘bed’ experience.

It features a couple of token bolsters to keep things in, although their effectiveness in preventing a child from rolling off is debatable. However, they will prevent crayons from rolling away during playtime.

Deflating the Flyaway is a bit more involved than the Plane Pal because each valve has a membrane that needs to be pushed aside while you compress the mattress.

If you have taller kids, the Plane Pal may provide a longer mattress by adding up to 75cm to the seat base’s length.

Despite this, my four- and six-year-olds both preferred the comfort and sturdiness of the flat, one-piece Flyaway mattress. Staying securely in place aids in keeping children asleep – exactly what every parent desires on a long-haul flight.

If you’re considering purchasing the Flyaway, be sure to take advantage of our special offer for $10 off directly from their website. They offer international shipping and can convert to your local currency. The code is below—just click it to visit their website. And don’t forget the details for the amazing compact electric pump.

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Quick answer? Some airlines allow them while others do not. Below is the list of airlines that have officially stated their policies regarding the use of these travel beds.

Airlines that officially do NOT allow most sleep travel gadgets/airplane beds for toddlers:

Airlines that OFFICIALLY APPROVE some sleep devices for children (with certain guidelines met):

However, keep in mind that the final decision rests with the flight crew.

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Some other airlines do not specify their official position on their websites, so it may be worth attempting to bring your travel gear, but the crew could still deny its use.

Have you used any kids’ travel gear? Which products do you recommend and why?