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The dangerous items parents take on flights – and why you shouldn’t ever bring them
And the specific hand luggage rules for each of the top UK airlines
GETTING comfortable on planes can be incredibly difficult, at least for adults.
But children are the one group of people who shouldn't need any help getting settled in their seats, especially smaller ones.
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Yet in recent years, there's been a growing trend of parents bringing all kinds of ridiculous contraptions on board to make sure their kids avoid having to deal with the horrors of sitting in a seat for a bit.
In this week's blog for Sun Online Travel, I'll explain why these items aren't only dangerous, but a total waste of money as well because a lot of the time, you won't be allowed to use them.
The main item in question is the inflatable foot stool.
For some reason, parents think their kids need to be treated like a prince or princess and, short of bringing them to the airport on a sedan chair, they'll do all they can to make sure they're comfortable.
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I get why - there's nothing worse than having to try and console a child that's unhappy, especially in the confines of a plane when their crying and shouting can irritate other passengers.
But a lot of parents nowadays go way over the top and it's really way too much, particularly these foot stools.
The idea is that they are inflated and sit perfectly in line with the seat that they're sitting on, allowing the child to pretty much lie flat in their chair and go to sleep.
In theory, it sounds really comfortable, but the reality is they're actually quite dangerous.
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They can block the aisles and irritate other passengers, who have to try and step over them on their way to the toilets, creating a tripping hazard.
The last thing you want is some stranger falling on top of your child because they couldn't get past the obstacle you'd put in their way.
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Argue about it all you want, that's your fault.
What's more, if there's an emergency and we need to evacuate the plane, that obstacle is suddenly putting people's lives at risk.
If someone trips over it in the dark and blocks the aisle for all the other people behind them trying to get off the plane as quickly as possible, it's not going to reflect well on you.
That's why, if we see a parent inflating one, we will always tell them to deflate it.
Hand luggage rules for UK airlines
We've rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when booking their most basic fare.
Ryanair
One personal bag measuring no more than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm
EasyJet
One personal bag measuring no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
Jet2
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm weighing up to 10kg
TUI
One personal item that its underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm weighing up to 10kg
British Airways
One personal bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm 25cm weighing up to 23kg
Virgin Atlantic
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg
We know you want to treat your kids like royalty, but the reality is we need to keep people safe and those foot rests aren't good things to have on board.
So don't waste your money on them because they'll just end up taking up room in your carry-on, only for you to not actually get any use out of them.
Of all the people who need help getting comfortable, I doubt your child is one.
They have more than enough legroom, wherever they sit, so leave the inflatables at home, or in the pool.
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Meanwhile, these other items could be really dangerous in the confines of a plane cabin.
And this stupid new fad among passengers is really silly - so stop doing it.
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