Has anyone flown air canada lately with an inflatable footrest pillow for kids? I see conflicting reports of whether they’re allowed or not, so I’m curious about others’ recent experiences. Thanks in advance! (Not my photo - just an example from the internet.)

Last time I flew air canada they made me tuck my bag under the seat in front of me and said nth can be out. I dunno if this helps!

Dana That would be just for take off and landing, though, right?

Lynn Viger
Your bags etc only need to be under the seat in front of you during take off and landing.

We’ve done so many transatlantic flight with my kids and when they were wee they didn’t need this now they are older they just stay up all night. Lol. Don’t bother…

I was blowing it up not for a kid but myself and a flight attn told me that I’m not allowed to use it. She said the path needs to be patent just in case. It was a normal seat not an emergency exit seats.

Aeran Thanks for sharing your experience! Was this on air canada? And were you on an aisle seat or window?

Yes I used this is Sept with my toddler on air canada. The only issue is you have to blow it up after the plane has taken off and the seatbelt sign is off. The seat is tight (ofcourse) so it's a bit awkward, but I found it helpful for sleep on a red eye flight to make things a bit comfier for everyone

Bojana Perfect - thank you! Yeah, I knew I wouldn’t be able to blow it up until after takeoff, but hopefully it will be okay.

Wouldn’t that be a bit restrictive for someone sitting on the window side to get in and out? Or in the event of an emergency evacuation? Just curious.

Alyssa I would be surprised if they were allowed- for exactly that reason...

Kej That’s what I was thinking.

Alyssa Good question. We have the whole row booked, and the kids will be window and middle, with me on the aisle. I would certainly never block in a stranger with it!

Caralin but even for your own kids in the event of an emergency-wouldn’t that be a tripping hazard and make it harder for them to get out?

Alyssa Not really - maybe if it was only in the middle seat it could be in the way, but for both window and middle you’d just slide over the top. They’re 3 and 5 so we’d probably just pick them up in an emergency anyway.

Alyssa Lots of airlines do allow them, so I guess they can’t be that bad, but I know not all do so I’m just trying to figure out air canada’s particular policies. I have some friends who fly back and forth from Singapore regularly and they swore by them when their kids were little.

Alyssa everyone in the row has to get up anyway it’s so tight. OP would have to lift it up and let the person through.

Alyssa It's the same idea as the seats going back. They have the seats fully forward upon take off and landing so it's easier for people to get in and out in case of emergency. But when you're in the air, the seats can be down. Also you don't have to stow your luggage under the seat in front of you. You can have it closer to your feet for easy access. The space in front of you needs to be clear for take off and landing only.

Alyssa this is why they usually don’t allow until after take off and ensure it’s put away before landing.. to be honest, if there is an emergency in the air, no one is likely leaving their seats. There’s nowhere to evacuate when you’re in the air….

The safest thing is to install a car seat on board. The seatbelts are rated for users over 40lbs.
Bonus your kids are harnessed, stops them from wiggling around and since it’s something they are already familiar with - they might even nap.

I just bought a flyaway bed for our 4yr old for our 10hr overnight flight. And their website had a list of accepted airlines: https://www.flyawaydesigns.com/pages/airlines?gad=1...
FLYAWAYDESIGNS.COM
AIRLINES

I would think the rules would be similar for the footrest

Not allowed on air canada
https://twitter.com/aircanada/status/1039986095432364033...
TWITTER.COM
air canada on Twitter

Ann just flew on Thursday. Was booked through air canada though we transferred in Chicago to Edinburgh and was then on United Airlines.
Young family across the isle used them for her two girls in the window and middle seat, mom was in the isle. She struggled a bit to make them fit but worked well for the kids to be comfy.
She blew them up after take off and deflated them prior to landing. No issues from the cabin crew.

Elaine idk - their response to the question says otherwise. Best to call the airlines.

I can just here my kid now….Mom, I dropped a marker on the floor. Can u get it?

If you’re on Instagram the account “MiniJetsetter” talks about these. She travels a lot with air canada and uses these regularly for her kids. Technically they’re not allowed but she has never had a problem. I used them on westjet with no problem (obviously different airline, different rules, but in case anyone else wondered about them).

I use one all the time, I’m an amputee and put my leg on it, I’ve always had a window seat and they have never said I can’t use it

I recently purchased one and flew on AC also. For small kids in a window seat or adults in a bulkhead (footrest) it’s great! Mine comes with a pump from Amazon. No way can an adult use these in economy seating though. They’re too big!

Flew to Japan (Apr 2023) and back (May 2023) on air canada with this April. Also blown up after take off. No issues.

Has to be deflated upon Take of and landing, and secured under the seat or in the overhead bin as well.

I believe they aren’t allowed - I flew last summer on a transatlantic flight and blew it up and no one said anything. I think it depends on the flight attendants you get and how strict they are, so it may just be luck if you’re able to use it!

If it stops them from kicking the back of my seat I’m all for it

Michael so true!!

Officially they are prohibited for safety reasons (in the event of an evacuation), but I'm sure most FA's wouldn't care as long as you're in a window seat and not in an exit row (not that they would be to start with) and it's not inflated during takeoff and landing. Also, this is AC. They're not exactly known for their award winning customer service standards!

Why do kids need one? I grew up without it and turned out fine!

We travelled with air canada to Spain in November with our then 2 year old. We specifically called their customer service and many of the devices that bridge the gap for toddlers to sleep on planes was essentially banned. We had hoped to purchase the Jetkids by Stokke. Unfortunately they told us this was banned, as well as any inflatable leg rests. We ended up purchasing something called “napflat” off Etsy, but it’s only good if you are sitting in a seat with a lap tray in front, which we were not on the return journey home. They did comment that it is often at the flight attendant’s discretion whether items not specifically listed in the policy are permitted. Their customer service was super helpful and it’s definitely worth a call before purchasing anything.
https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/770279662/
ETSY.COM
Toddler Airplane Bed - Etsy Canada

I want one for myself!!

Flew AC Sydney to Vancouver nonstop and a family of 4 used these in the middle row after the washrooms (extra leg room aisle). Just had to inflate after in the air. They deflate quickly when necessary.

For long haul overnight flights it would be GREAT. But that’s the only circumstance I’d get it.

Travel on AC to Vancouver May 6th in premium economy. Family in the middle row inflated 2 cubes without issue or grief. Daughter was happy camper.

I’ve used it for multiple flights, they have never put an issue

I just used my carry-on bag or my son's backpack for him to rest his feet.

Crystal brilliant - buying a “footrest” is a waste of money

Allowed , just not during takeoff/landing and not in the emergency rows

I took a beach ball and used it as a pillow against the window. Didn't help much on a 14 hr flight

Tom I'm glad you posted this. I thought of this on our last trip and was going to try it out but I won't now haha

I messaged play airlines and they said I was free to use anything inflatable as long as it can be stowed on take off and landing