Last updated: November 2026
Natural Baby Shower gifted us the BedBox to try. All opinions are our own.
If you’ve spent any time in the family travel corner of Instagram, you’ll have seen a small child gliding through an airport sat on a suitcase, looking far too pleased with themselves. That’s likely the Stokke JetKids BedBox, and it’s one of the most talked-about pieces of kit for flying with kids. We tested it properly with R and I wanted to share what it’s actually like to use in real life.
Our verdict at a glance
- Best for: regular long haul and overnight family travel
- Less suited to: families mainly taking short haul flights
- Our favourite feature: the bed extension
- Main compromise: the mattress takes up a fair amount of the packing space and it can be a bit cumbersome with stairs
- Price: £179 at Stokke UK, and currently on offer at £139 at Natural Baby Shower (November 2026)
The BedBox makes most sense if you fly long haul or overnight as the bed extension is what separates it from cheaper ride-on suitcases, and the ride-on function brings some entertainment to airport waiting time. It’s harder to justify purely as a suitcase, particularly given how much packing space the mattress takes up. If that’s all you need, our guide to the best kids suitcases and ride-on luggage covers cheaper options.
What is the Stokke JetKids BedBox?
It’s a ride-on hand luggage case, sized to universal carry-on dimensions (46 x 20 x 36cm), that your child can sit on and ride or be pulled along through the airport. Once you’re on the plane, the lid extends and the built-in mattress turns it into a flat surface for your child’s legs and feet, effectively extending their seat into a small bed once the seatbelt sign is off.
What colours does it come in?
Stokke UK sells the BedBox in six colours: Hazy Lilac, Moonglow White, Sea Green, Arctic Blue, Coral Pink and Midnight Grey. It also comes with two sheets of stickers, so your child can personalise their case, which is a nice touch for a toddler who wants to make it their own.
What age is it for?
Stokke states the bed feature is best suited to children over 2, and the ride-on function for ages 3 to 7. I’d agree with this as it’s quite tall for R’s little legs and he is a bit unstable sat on it, and a long way off riding along himself (but he did like being pulled along by us). The bed was great from 18 months.
We recently saw some kids using theirs in San Francisco airport after our flight from London – they were maybe 5 and 7 years old and they were having great fun riding themselves around the bagging carousel area.
What’s it like to use at the airport?
Between check-in, security and boarding, there’s a fair bit of manoeuvring involved in getting a ride-on case through an airport, especially with a toddler who isn’t steering in a straight line yet. The adjustable strap helps here, it moves from pull-along to a shoulder carry, which made it easier to handle hands-free when we needed both hands free for R. Although it is a little fiddly to unclip it from a pull along to the shoulder strap – we didn’t find it quick to do. We had no issues at security with it.
Setting up the Stokke BedBox bed
Converting it was easy, and it gave R a large and flat space to stretch out, much more space than the plane seat alone, offered. We took it on a day flight but this would make a real difference on an overnight or long haul flight.
How much can you fit inside?
The mattress takes up a chunk of the BedBox’s main compartment once it’s packed away. We fit a tablet, two books and a toy in the main section, plus a change of clothes in the lid compartment.
Can you take it as cabin luggage?
Yes, the Stokke BedBox is dimensioned to fit universal carry-on sizing, and fits in the overhead locker. It’s still worth checking your specific airline’s cabin baggage allowance before you fly, since exact limits vary. Our guide to flying with a baby has a breakdown of airline policies.
Whether airlines allow the bed functionality is a separate question from cabin luggage rules. The BedBox isn’t a certified child restraint device, so it doesn’t need airline approval the way a car seat does, but individual airlines choose whether to allow it as a comfort item. Stokke says more than 120 airlines have approved it and keeps a live list of approved airlines on their site. Not every airline is on board though, with other parents reporting that Air New Zealand doesn’t allow it, so check your airline before you buy rather than at the airport.
Is the JetKids backpack worth adding?
We used the backpack that came with it and it’s well made, with a zip pocket in the middle and another at the bottom. It’s not that big and so if you’re deciding between the bundle with the backpack and just the case, the backpack is a nice add rather than something you need.
Stokke JetKids BedBox pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ride-on function makes airport distances easier | Mattress reduces usable packing space |
| Converts into a plane seat bed extension | Premium price versus a standard ride-on |
| Easy bed set-up | Bed use depends on airline and flight stage |
| Strong build quality, no wear after our test | Less compelling for short haul only families |
| Useful shoulder strap option | Younger toddlers may need help steering |
One thing to keep in mind on build quality: our test was a single short flight, and a few retailer reviews mention problems with the lid screws and wheels on their units. It’s worth checking yours over when it arrives, while you can still return it.
BedBox vs other ride-on suitcases
If you mainly want a ride-on suitcase, there are cheaper options, and we’ve compared the ones we’ve tested in our guide to the best kids suitcases. What you’re really paying extra for with the BedBox is the combination of ride-on case and plane seat extender, not just the ride-on function on its own.
I do think this ride on suitcase is clever and a good purchase for families flying long haul or overnight with a toddler or child. The bed function alone justifies the price for anyone doing a red-eye with a little one – you can’t put a price on a full night sleep!
Stokke JetKids BedBox FAQs
The BedBox is £179 at Stokke UK at the time of writing, and it’s currently on offer at £139 at Natural Baby Shower. There’s also a bundle with the backpack, and prices vary between retailers, especially around sales.
Stokke UK sells it in Hazy Lilac, Moonglow White, Sea Green, Arctic Blue, Coral Pink and Midnight Grey. It comes with two sheets of stickers so your child can personalise it.
Stokke recommends it for ages 2 to 7. The bed worked well for R from 18 months, but he was too small to ride it himself.
Yes, it’s sized to universal carry-on dimensions and fitted in the overhead locker for us. Check your airline’s own cabin baggage limits before you fly.
No. It isn’t a certified child restraint, so each airline decides whether to allow it. Stokke has a list of the airlines that have approved it, and it’s worth checking before you buy.
Allie, Jack & R x
