Car-seat on airplane?

[Cadam]

Do most people put their 2yo dc in car seats on the airplane? Are there any laws about this? Will the seat even fit even fit on the airline seats?

[Caroline]

It has been years since I flew with a child in a car seat. (Said child is almost 13.) At that time, I know that the car seat had to go in the window seat so it could not in any way block another passenger's exit from the plane in the case of an emergency. That may just have been a rule on that airline, which, I believe was AirTran. But I could be wrong about that... I would check with the airline for their regulations. Things like that might be airline specific.

[snickelfritz]

We flew in November with a newly turned 2 year old. Had to buy a ticket and we needed a carseat at our destination, so we used it on the plane. It kept her in place. We had flown over the summer (before her birthday) with her on our lap and it was MUCH more stressful. Plus, I was nervous about checking her carseat and it being abused/cracked and us not knowing it.

We have a standard carseat and it fit. We only ran into 1 problem. They put us in the front seat (the one where you don't have a seat in front of you and you can't put things by your legs) and the seat wouldn't fit. So, they moved us back a row and it fit fine.

[j.griff]

It's really a PITA, and the seat has to be approved as safe for flight, and you still have to hold dc in your lap during take off and landing (last time we flew, anyway). They do fit in the seats though, but it's a real pain to transport it from one gate to another if you change planes, etc.

[strider]

There are specific guidelines as to which ones the airline will allow you to use. Check their website--some carseats are not allowed.

I have always brought a carseat for my little ones.

[Eliana]

Absolutely!

I'm not sure why Jenn's airline wouldn't let her use it during take off, that is one of the most important times to have a child safely restrained!

Here's some info:

Airplane Travel with Babies and Toddlers (http://www.saferidenews.com/html/Airplane_Eng.htm)

From the American Academy of Physicians (http://www.aap.org/):

Q: Should my child ride in a car safety seat on an airplane?
A: Most infant, convertible, and forward-facing seats can be used on airplanes, but booster seats and travel vests cannot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the AAP recommend that when flying, children should be securely fastened in certified child restraints until 4 years of age, and then should be secured with the airplane seat belts. This will help keep them safe during takeoff and landing or in case of turbulence. Check the label on your car safety seat or call the car safety seat manufacturer before you travel to see if your seat is certified for use on an airplane. You can also consider using a restraint made only for use on airplanes and approved by the FAA.
FAA Child safety on Airplanes (http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/)



Airline Travel and Child Safety (http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/airplanetravel.aspx)

Info from Southwest Airlines (http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html)

[Rhesa]

Look on the side of your carseat. If there is not a sticker that says something like, "this carseat is approved for air travel" or something like that, the airline may reject it. I had this happen more than once- on different airlines.

Pros of carseat: safe and familiar place for the child, they can't unbuckle the seat:001_smile:, you have your carseat ready to go when you arrive at your destination

Cons: Carrying that bulky thing through the airport security and transfers, lugging it down the aisle (Don't expect help. If you get it, it's a bonus!):glare:

I flew often when my kids were toddlers. Even with the cons, I always took my seat. They always felt more comfortable, and so did I. And I do believe that your dc will need to be in the window seat.

Happy flying!

[Pata]

We always took our car seat, it seemed to keep my dd alot calmer. I've only had one flight where they wouldn't let me use it and we travel frequently. Even so, they checked it at the gate and I got it right after we got off the plane.

[Mabelen]

I used it the last two times I travelled to Spain. One with an American airline, the second with a Spanish airline. Both allowed me to use it at all times. With the American airline it had to be on a window seat, but not with the Spanish airline.

My little one slept great. The only trouble is you can't really use the tray for lunch or coloring, well, that and having to lug it as someone already said.

[allearia]

When we flew to Hawaii with our then-2yo, we checked in the car seat on the flight over and my son could not sleep at all. On the way back we used the seat on the plane and he slept almost the whole time. So if your child sleeps often in the carseat it is worth having them sit in it on the plane just for the peace. Also, having them strapped in and not able to get out in a familiar seat is good.

[Brigitte]

I used it the last two times I travelled to Spain. One with an American airline, the second with a Spanish airline. Both allowed me to use it at all times. With the American airline it had to be on a window seat, but not with the Spanish airline.

My little one slept great. The only trouble is you can't really use the tray for lunch or coloring, well, that and having to lug it as someone already said.

Alex makes great lapboards with pockets on the side that you can use in the place of the traytable. Also, we pushed our carseats in the stroller (2 carseats in 1 double stroller). The girls were always happy to walk/run before and after plane rides. You can also get the luggage wheels (folding things with wheels that you can strap a suitcase on) and put the stroller on that. I have seen people push their kids in the carseat strapped to one of those, but I am not sure I would recommend it).

Happy travels!

[Laurel]

I really like the CARES harness (http://www.kidsflysafe.com/). It is super easy to use, and is just as safe as a carseat, and so much smaller and easier than lugging around a huge, heavy carseat. It is a bit on the spendy side (worth it for us, as we travel so much, and lots of times I travel by myself with kids, so not carrying lots is great for me).

[Barb F. PA in AZ]

I remember an airline making us do this...was it United?? I can't remember. I thought it made no sense at the time either.

Barb

Absolutely!

I'm not sure why Jenn's airline wouldn't let her use it during take off, that is one of the most important times to have a child safely restrained!

Here's some info:

Airplane Travel with Babies and Toddlers (http://www.saferidenews.com/html/Airplane_Eng.htm)

From the American Academy of Physicians (http://www.aap.org/):


FAA Child safety on Airplanes (http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/)



Airline Travel and Child Safety (http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/airplanetravel.aspx)

Info from Southwest Airlines (http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html)

[mommylaw]

We always fly with cars eats. I can't imagine holding a two year old in my lap for hours on end. :willy_nilly: I even buy infant tickets for the little ones, under two, at half price. I've flown alone with the kids a lot and couldn't imagine doing it without car seats. It's so much safer and you don't have to worry about relatives having one or renting the funky ones at the destination.

Booster seats aren't allowed and the carseats must have the airline sticker on them. We've never had a problem. No one on any airline has ever had me take the child out of the car seat.

We have Britax Marathon car seats. I gate check the double stroller and stack the carseats on the wheely cart, one upside down on the other. I often gate check the boosters too for the bigger kids. I don't want them thrown around the cargo area potentially getting damaged. I flip the boosters upside down and hook the armrests to the stroller handle.

We fly a lot and pretty much have the whole thing down to a science. Flip flops for everyone, each kid has his/her own back pack, everyone has a lightweight change of clothes, just in case. Always ask to preload the plane. Most airlines no longer announce a special preboarding time for families but I've never been turned down. In fact, they usually allow me to board before they open it up to First Class passengers. Its much easier to get the carseats strapped in and the kids settled before the crowds come.

HTH

[nukeswife]

We've always bought tickets for our kids and used their carseats (until the got to booster seats) and never had an issue with the kids not being allowed in the seat during take off and landing. The way we see it is that they have to be in one in a car so why not on a plane, in the case of a crash or major turbulance we feel they'd be much better protected in their seats than with us trying to keep a good hold on them.

[Cadam]

Thanks everyone!

We have Britax Marathon car seats.

I just bought one of these today. It won't be familiar to her for the trip but she will be comfortable and it is good to know that it can go on a plane. :D

[Mabelen]

Alex makes great lapboards with pockets on the side that you can use in the place of the traytable. Also, we pushed our carseats in the stroller (2 carseats in 1 double stroller). The girls were always happy to walk/run before and after plane rides. You can also get the luggage wheels (folding things with wheels that you can strap a suitcase on) and put the stroller on that. I have seen people push their kids in the carseat strapped to one of those, but I am not sure I would recommend it).

Happy travels!

Thank you for the lapboard idea.

I agree the stroller works great to carry the seat, the only thing is last time I forgot the stroller in the other car, so we did have to lug it through the airport! I am only grateful I was not traveling on my own and it was a direct flight!

[susie in tx]

We don't fly often, but I always bring the car seats for those that need them. The only time I've had trouble was on our return flight from Thessaloniki, Greece to London. We were flying a subsidiary of British Air. I was told the car seat wasn't allowed. I would have made a fuss but we were leaving the country quickly due to my fil and mil dying in a plane crash. Needless to say, it was an horrific flight. I was so afraid that if I made a scene about the car seat, we wouldn't be able to stay on the fight, and we had to get back for the funerals. OTOH, I was so nervous we'd be in a crash and need the car seat so my dd wouldn't die. It was terrible.

Maybe one day I'll actually let BA know how I felt about that flight, but it was almost a year ago now, and I'm just not up to it.

[EKS]

We did. It's easier not if they're not too squirmy because they have more room in the seat but we thought it was safer (never forgive myself, and all that).