Best Airplane Bed Seat Extender for Toddlers 2025

Worried about how you’re going to get your toddler to stay seated for the duration of the flight in economy? I was too, and the thought of trying to keep my toddler in their seat while not bothering the other passengers around us sent my anxiety through the roof 😰 Enter the travel bed for toddlers.

I’ve heard horror stories from friends who received awful comments from strangers on a plane when their children were just acting like children 😱. So anything I can purchase to make the situation more manageable is a must-have!

Thankfully, there is a lot of innovation in the market for things like travel bed, airplane bed and seat extenders. Even in just the past couple of years, I’ve seen a lot more new styles of seat extenders, some that don’t require inflating, and some that don’t have straps that may bother the person behind you!

TLDR:

Feature	Inflatable Travel Bed/Footrests	Suitcase/Bed Box Hybrids	Hammock-Style Seat Extenders
Description	Inflatable cushions that fit in the legroom space.	Suitcase that converts into a bed.	A hammock that connects the seat to the tray table legs.
Pros	Lightweight and compact when deflated,	Doubles as a ride-on suitcase.	Lightweight and compact
Cons	Inflation is noisy, pump is bulky,	Bulky extra luggage item.	Less robust than other options.
Recommended Product	Sittina Inflatable Airplane Bed	JetKids BedBox by Stokke	NNOODUST seat extender and tray cover

Why Choose an Airplane Bed Seat Extender Bed for Your Toddler?

Probably obvious, but before we dive into the specifics, let’s highlight the key benefits of using an airplane seat extender bed:

• Enhanced Comfort for you AND your kid: If you’re on a long haul flight, chances are that your kid will have at least a nap. Having their heads or feet on your lap for hours can be uncomfortable.
• Better Sleep: Transforms an economy seat into a more comfortable and spacious area, allowing toddlers to lie down or stretch their legs, mimicking a business-class experience
• More Play Area and toy catcher: Provides extra space for toddlers to play and prevents you having to pick up all the toys from the floor!

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Toddler Airplane Bed

• Airline Approval: Don’t rely on “airline approval”; it’s best to assume that you cannot use airplane seat extenders for take off and landing. There is too much variability in planes and flight attendant’s knowledge of these things.
• Portability & Weight: This is obvious. You are already wrangling your kids and their stuff, you don’t need another giant bag.
• Ease of Setup: You’ll likely be setting this up in a confined space with a potentially tired and impatient toddler with many judgy fellow passengers around you 🙂 To minimize stress, choose an extender that is quick and easy to inflate or unfold. Practice at home beforehand!
• Durability & Safety: Ensure that you can still use the seatbelt even after installation, and check for non-slip features.

Types of Airplane Beds for Toddlers in 2025

There are 3 main types:

1. Inflatable Seat extenders/Footrests
2. Suitcase/Bed Box Hybrids
3. Hammock-Style Seat Extenders

Let’s dive in to the pros and cons of each category, and product recommendations for each type of airplane seat extender bed.

1. Inflatable Travel Bed/ Footrests

These are the most common type, and as the name suggests, these are the inflatable cushions that fit in the legroom space in front of your child’s seat.

Pros: Lightweight, compact when deflated, often more budget-friendly. Many inflate quickly. Adjustable height options are sometimes available.

Cons: May require manual inflation (though some come with small pumps), pumps can be large and heavy, pumps can be noisy, puncture risk, some airlines may have restrictions.

As you can see, whether the airline allows the inflatable seat bed is pretty much up to the discretion of the flight attendants. There is a risk that you purchase one and not get to use it.

Having said this, I saw this type of inflatable airplane bed on each 10+ hours long haul flight I took in 2025, so I would say that flight attendants are more used to seeing them especially on long haul flights.

I wouldn’t count on it for short haul, especially on smaller planes where even the overhead bins are smaller.

The best inflatable airplane bed for toddlers

These are the highest rated inflatable airplane beds that you can get delivered to you quickly from Amazon. If you’re into your research and want to really be prepared for the flight, order a selection and return the rest.

The ones below have bumpers so your child stay in the bed when sleeping, and has a harness seat belt –> This is CRUCIAL for peace of mind especially during moments of turbulence on the plane!

Sittina Inflatable Airplane Bed

If you’ve spent any time at all searching for airplane beds on Amazon, you’ll have seen that MANY are rated super low. This one is rated 4.5 with 180 reviews, which is not bad and passes the authentic reviews check.

This inflatable airplane bed comes with a bunch of accessories. You may not need all of them, but, why not?

Lumara Toddler Airplane Bed

Rated at 4.8 stars with 51 reviews, this is another great option. This one does not have the drink holders and does not have the same bunch of included accessories, however it allows for manual inflation if you decide not to bring the pump.

2. Suitcase/Bed Box Hybrids

These innovative products function as a ride-on suitcase for children in the airport and then transform into a bed or leg rest on the plane.

Pros: Sturdy, stable when in use, children can ride on it for fun.

Cons: Suitcase space is limited when the bed feature is in use, not stable when pulling a child sitting on top (flips to the side easily), bulky, may not be approved by all airlines for the bed function.

I personally received this as a gift from a friend. I liked the bed function, however, if your toddler is not old enough to push themselves on it, or pull this “suitcase” themselves, it will become a burden is the form of yet another luggage item to keep tabs on when traveling with the family circus. See this review from Amazon for a type of bed box.

The best inflatable seat extender beds for toddlers

Stokke JetKids BedBox

There is really no better option on the market when it comes to Bed Boxes. Stokke has this market in a chokehold, and this is at a great price point to purchase for someone as a nice welcome baby gift that will last them for years to come.

3. Hammock-Style Airplane Seat Extenders

These drape from the child’s seat to the back of the seat in front, creating a hammock-like surface to bridge the gap.

These are my favorite kind, since they are just made of fabric, they don’t take up much space in my carry-on or personal bag. They require no inflation, and flight attendants don’t have an issue with them.

I’ve used one that has a strap around the back of the seat, and ones that go around the child’s seat cushion. Both have their trade-offs (stays put, vs slides off; doesn’t bother others vs anxiety of the passenger behind you having an issue with it)

Pros: Often lightweight and easy to install, can be a budget-friendly option.

Cons: Best suited for smaller children, does not work for bulkhead seats (I don’t recommend bulkhead seats for young children anyway, the fixed armrests don’t allow them to lie sideways), might not offer a completely flat surface.

The best hammock-style airplane seat extenders

NNOODUST seat extender and tray cover

This is highly rated for a reason! The cover is like a fitted sheet on the child’s seat with a flap that connects to the tray table legs.

It may be a bit hard to close the tray table, however, it can be done and it is totally worth saving the space in your bag.

Wsooam Hammock-style airplane seat extender

There are many hammock style seat extenders like this, but what separates this from the rest is the buckle at the back of the seat that helps to stop slippage without bothering the person behind you.

Tips for Using Airplane Seat Extenders Effectively

• Always check with your airline for their specific policies on seat extender use before your flight.
• Practice setting up the extender at home so you’re familiar with the process.
• Inflate inflatable extenders after takeoff and deflate before landing, as instructed by the airline.
• Ensure the extender is securely in place and doesn’t interfere with the seat of the passenger in front or block the aisle.
• Use the extender in window or middle seats where it’s less likely to obstruct other passengers.

Conclusion: Making Long Flights Easier with Airplane Seat Extenders

Traveling with toddlers on long flights doesn’t have to be a dreaded experience. Airplane seat extender beds offer a valuable solution for creating a more comfortable and sleep-friendly environment for your little one.

By carefully considering the different types, features, and airline policies, you can choose the best extender to suit your family’s needs and make your journey smoother and more enjoyable in 2025.

Just like finding the perfect stroller wagon for your family adventures, the right airplane seat extender can be a game-changer for your travel experiences.