Virgin Australia gives safety approval for gadgets to help kids sleep on flights

HAVE you struggled to get your children to fall asleep while flying? A major Australian airline is today lifting the ban on kids’ sleep devices to help youngsters relax.

VIRGIN Australia has lifted a ban on kids’ sleep aids that convert into “mini beds” following a safety review.

From Thursday, parents can bring inflatable cushions and portable leg rests such as Plane Pal, Fly Tot, or JetKids Bedbox accessories on board as part of its 7kg carry-on baggage allowance.

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Virgin’s in-flight experience general manager Tash Tobias said it was the first major Australian airline to give the all-clear for such gadgets, which let children stretch out their legs.

Sophie Cachia and son Bobby, 3, test an inflatable kids’ sleeping aid. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“We know that travelling with kids can be a stressful experience and we want to make it as smooth as possible for the families that fly with us,” Ms Tobias said.

“These popular comfort items have been reviewed by our team of safety experts against our high safety standards.”

Use is restricted to window seats on smaller aircraft, and to window and middle block centre seats on larger aircraft. They must not prevent seats in front from reclining.

Some disgruntled parents complained on social media earlier this year upon learning the products were prohibited on key Australian airlines due to evacuation hazard concerns.

The Plane Pal is among “comfort” devices that Virgin Australia has approved. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Almost 100 international airlines permit such devices. Virgin Australia’s subsidiary, Tigerair, is still assessing them.

Melbourne-based mum and blogger Sophie Cachia welcomed Virgin Australia’s policy.

“A lot of parents fear travelling with young kids, so if you can get them to stretch out and have a snooze on the plane it makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone,” she said.

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA GUIDELINES FOR COMFORT DEVICES

The items will be deemed suitable for use on-board provided:

• Passenger is responsible for its set up and use;

• Device is only to be used in window seats of smaller aircraft, or window and centre seats of middle block on Airbus A330 or Boeing 777 aircraft;

• It may not be used in Emergency Exit Rows;

• Item must be stowed securely during taxi, takeoff, landing and may only be set up once the seatbelt sign is switched off;

• If inflatable, valve must face aisle for easy inflation/deflation;

• Child must be seated with seatbelt fastened any time the seatbelt sign is illuminated;

• If an infant, must be secured with infant seatbelt or in bassinet (if fixed) whenever the seatbelt sign is switched on;

• Child/infant must be secured with their head towards the back of their own seat and their feet facing forward;

• Passenger must be mindful that use of item doesn’t affect the comfort of other passengers;

• Must not interfere with or prevent the seat in front from reclining;

• If attachment to any part of the aircraft is required to provide structural stability to the item, it is not permitted to be used as it may cause damage to the aircraft; and

• There may be some seat rows where an item does not fit due to the configuration of some aircraft. In this case the item cannot be used.

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@KarenCollierHS