Norwegian brand Stokke has branched out with the debut of a cleverly designed suitcase for kids that allows economy class seats to become beds for little ones. Jenny Southan report
As a parent who travels frequently with their daughter (now six), I have tried a number of luggage options for her. We began with an orange tiger Trunki – the first suitcase designed for kids to ride on and with fun, bright designs. The problem was, it was quite cheaply made and there wasn’t space inside for more than a few toys and clothes. Plus it opened like a clamshell which wasn’t very convenient when on a plane.
With airlines becoming stricter on what you can take for free in the cabin – a lot now charge for bags or cases that need to go in the overhead bins – finding a solution that will fit under the seat in front is imperative. The other issue is having to physically carry or manoeuvre your child’s luggage while also carrying your own and also your child (at times), which means backpacks (or one backpack and a shoulder bag) is the ideal combo so you can have your hands free when walking through the airport.
When I first encountered the Jetkids by Stokke BedBox I had high hopes for how it would perform. My partner and I had invested in a beautifully designed wooden Stokke Tripp Trapp high chair for our daughter that has a step system that allows you to reconfigure it as the child grows – all the way from baby to adult. Plus it looks way more stylish in your home than any other high chair. It’s functional and attractive. Would the suitcase be equally dynamic?
In short, yes! Designed for children aged three to seven, the Jetkids by Stokke is a multi-functional item that is firstly a suitcase with a decent amount of storage space but can also be used as a seat or push-along/pull-along vehicle for the child to glide through the terminal on. (It has four wheels, feet and hand rests, and a long nylon strap for the parent to grip.) Finally, the most innovative feature is the ability to attach it to an economy class seat (in the footwell) and turn it into a flat area for relaxing, sleeping or playing.
How does it work? The suitcase has a lid that lifts off when you push the buttons at either end. This section then flips over and slots back on to the base to create a flat surface. Inside the case is a cotton-covered mattress that then covers the economy class seat and the flat surface the case creates when placed in front of the seat. There are also comfy side flaps. For a baby, this would create enough space for them to lie down and sleep. When placed under the seat in front it functions as a footrest.
The result is similar to Air New Zealand’s Skycouch (pictured below), which we flew to LA on when our daughter was six-months old – it was a dream come true. To be able to “hack” your economy class seat in this way every time you fly, is genius. On our short Easyjet flight to France, it felt like too much hassle to pull it our from under the seat and convert it so we didn’t bother. But on a long-haul flight it would be worth it.
One downside to the system is that the mattress takes up almost half the space inside the case so you have to pack quite sparingly. But when you think of it as a case for your kid’s essentials (books, drawing stuff, Squishmallow, iPad, headphones, change of clothes and snacks (hidden in a special sliding compartment in the lid) it’s no problem. My daughter also loved that it came with sticker sheets allowing her to customise the exterior.
The other challenge was carrying it – one end of the strap that you use to pull it along has to be unclipped (an awkward process when you are feeling harried) and then attached to the other end of the case so you can carry it over your shoulder. It’s pretty heavy when full but manageable.
On the plus side, the case is hugely valuable for long boarding processes when your child needs to sit down. Then can just scoot along or be pulled or sit and watch something on your phone if they are getting bored. We really appreciated this option. You can also move more quickly through the airport when you are wheeling them along – the wheels feel strong and glide smoothly.
My daughter loved the JetKids by Stokke – it made her feel really grown up and looked super stylish. She chose pale pink but it also comes in beige, cream, olive, sage and pale blue. Even better is that you can also buy a matching rucksack with pilot lapels on the shoulder straps that look adorable when they are wearing it. It’s insulated so is perfect for containing a plane picnic and water bottle.
VERDICT: A sturdy, cleverly designed, multi-functional suitcase that is a must-have for families with young children, especially those flying long-haul or taking regular trips. The best product I have seen on the market and a great investment.
PRICE: £179 for the Jetkids by Stokke BedBox and £49 for the pink Jetkids by Stokke Crew Backpack