2yr Old flying with no car seat???

[emsip]

Can my 2yr old son fly without a car seat?

We always get my son his own seat and bring the car seat. But the last couple of flights, he did not want to sit in the car seat. He ended up being on my wife's lap and the car seat just taking up space. I was thinking that next time I will get him a seat but not bring the car seat. That way we have more room for him to stretch out in case he wants to take a nap on the plane. Is there any rule against a 2yr old having his own seat but not sitting in a car seat?

 

[momofbgtwins]

We have flown many times with our twins since they were 6 months old, and have never brought their car seats (they are now almost 3-1/2). We buy them seats, hold them for take off and landing, and then let them stretch out, nap, etc., usually with their heads in our laps. Some people will flame you for not bringing a car seat for the plane, but I don't think it is a airline requirement because no one has ever questioned us.

 

[WaltD4Me]

My nephew was two when we went and my brother and SIL just got him a seat, but didn't bring a car seat. It worked out fine and nephew is a little guy!

 

[Aneille]

You don't need a carseat.

Children under 2 don't even need a ticketed seat. You can just lap them.

 

[Got Quattro?]

Seriously...if the plane crashes....a car seat wont help them.

 

[Aneille]

Seriously...if the plane crashes....a car seat wont help them.

Yes but the reason people use car seats isn't for the crash its for turblence, sudden drops etc, or just air emergencies that don't end up in crashes. Its probably extremly rare that a child gets hurt from not being in a car seat during such times but the chances are greater that one of the above will happen than a crash will.

I've done both. Seats sometimes, other times not. Its getting harder and harder to bring seats as my family grows.

Also I've found my kids are much better behaved on the plane with a car seat and sit in their seat better of course.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

my son used his car seat in dec
it was great he was good slept well
was comfortable than on my lap
its also safer

 

[beattyfamily]

The answer is they do not need a carseat on the plane.

My opinion. I used a carseat till my girls were about 3. By then they are almost too big to be in it; their feet kicked the seat in front of them and they couldn't use the pull down tray and by then, they were well behaved and would keep their seatbelts on.

When they were younger, the carseat was wonderful in making them behave the whole flight. They usually napped. They were more comfortable in it.

One trip to Paris when DD was 2 we didn't bring the carseat because we didn't need it in Paris. Well, that was a LONG flight. She kept wanting to play musical chairs. So on our next trip to Disney, we had the carseat again.

If your child is well behaved and comfortable without a carseat, then leave it home (and if you don't need it at Disney either). If they will fuss and want to walk around, then bring the carseat.

Only you know your child...good luck deciding.

 

[Mainebound]

We fly all the time with our boys, now 4 and 6, from when they were babies. We went to "no carseat" at 2 years old for exactly the reasons you mention. They actually behaved better when the felt they were "in the big boy seat". And much less to carry and fiddle with. So much better for everyone!

 

[emsip]

Thanks everybody. It looks like no carseat for our September trip to WDW. My DS is fine sitting in the carseat when we are in the car, but hates sitting in it when it's on a plane.