Skip to content

BudgetPlan your spend Hospital bagFree checklist

Airplane gear

Plane restraints, travel carts, and comfort gear for flying with kids.

Baby airplane travel gear with neck pillow, seat cover and blanket by a plane window

8models tracked
$10 to $499price range
1 lb–8 lbweight

Airplane gear by budget

The 6 airplane gear with a published list price, split into thirds by price. A to Z within each lane. Price isn't a quality rating.

Budget-friendlyUnder $932

Mid-range$93 to $2502

Splurge$250 and up2

All 8 airplane gear

Must have:

✓ maker says yes ✕ maker says no ? not published Confirmed only Sort

Compare					Carry-on size	FAA-approved for aircraft	Wheels
	AmSafe CARES for Special Needs	$92.50	1 lb	–	?	?	?
	AmSafe CARES HarnessFAA-approved for aircraft	–	1 lb	–	?	✓	?
	Britax Car Seat Travel CartWheels	$89.99	–	–	?	?	✓
	Cosco Kids Scenera NEXT Convertible Car SeatFAA-approved for aircraft	–	–	–	?	✓	?
	Flyaway Designs Flyaway Kids BedCarry-on size	$159	2.8 lb	–	✓	✕	?
	J.L. Childress Universal Car Seat Travel Belt	$10.99	–	–	?	?	?
	Stokke / JetKids JetKids by Stokke BedBoxCarry-on sizeWheels	$249	6.6 lb	–	✓	?	✓
	WAYB Picopacks to 1.8 cu ftCarry-on sizeFAA-approved for aircraft	$499	8 lb	1.8 cu ft	✓	✓	?

Airplane gear by the numbers

The 8 we compare, from each maker's published specs. Ranges, not ratings.

Price$10.99 to $499; the middle half $89.99 to $249 (6 of 8 publish it)

FAA approval and airport screening

3 of 8 list FAA approval for aircraft, per the maker: AmSafe CARES Harness, WAYB Pico, Cosco Scenera Next.

Shortlist: 3 models, each highest or lowest on one spec

Ranked on the maker's published numbers only. Not a safety or quality rating.

Lightest AmSafeCARES Harness 1 lb
Lightest: the AmSafe CARES Harness at 1 lb.

See specs
Smallest fold WAYBPico 1.8 cu ft
Smallest fold: the WAYB Pico at 1.8 cu ft, per WAYB.

Weight
8 lb
Price
$499
See specs
Lowest price J.L. ChildressUniversal Car Seat Travel Belt $10.99
Lowest price: the J.L. Childress Universal Car Seat Travel Belt at $10.99, per J.L. Childress.

See specs

What to look for in airplane gear

The range across every travel item here, with the typical middle half shaded and the shortlist marked.

Weight

You feel this every time you lift it into a trunk, up stairs, or onto a bus.

CARES Harness

1 lbmiddle 2.8 lb8 lb

Typical: 1 lb to 6.6 lb. 5 of 8 list it. Lightest: CARES Harness.

Price

What it lists for at the maker or a major store. Sales move this often.

Universal Car Seat Travel Belt

$10.99middle $159$499

Typical: $89.99 to $249. 6 of 8 list it. Lowest price: Universal Car Seat Travel Belt.

Ask the meadow

Questions about airplane gear

Answers come from each maker's published specs. Safety and health questions link to the agency or medical source.

What is the lightest airplane travel product?

The AmSafe CARES Harness at 1 lb, of the 8 we track.

What is the most affordable airplane travel product?

The J.L. Childress Universal Car Seat Travel Belt at $10.99 list price.

Which airplane travel products fit as a carry-on?

WAYB Pico, Stokke JetKids BedBox, Flyaway Kids Bed, per their makers. Airline size rules vary, so check yours.

Which products are FAA-approved for use on a plane?

AmSafe CARES Harness, WAYB Pico, Cosco Scenera Next, per their makers' labels. Your airline still has the final say.

Still wondering? Write to us at hello@cribpicks.com and we'll look it up.

Most-compared pairs

Side-by-side specs for the closest rivals in this category.

Not quite right? Other types

Guides