3 hour flight with 15 month old to Orlando - car seat or on lap for the flight?

[Ahoyhoy]

We would not be renting a car and we would be using the WDW transportation.

 

[bakofarmgirl]

we try to get front row so our little one can have extra walking room

 

[Girl of the South]

Here’s a great article about car seats on planes. They can’t be in an Exit row and some airlines don’t allow them in the bulkhead (front) row. I believe they need to be in a window seat. It’s just so much safer than sitting in your lap.

Car Seats on Planes - Guide

 

[FreeTime]

we try to get front row so our little one can have extra walking room

With just two others? Or, will a stranger be with you with your child walking around?

Keep in mind the bulkhead requires your bag to be overhead during take off and landing so have everything you need, that you are permitted to hold, out.

For safety, your child should not be walking around even when the seatbelt sign is removed. Bring a car seat.

 

[ilovevacation]

I am a car seat fanatic. My friends make fun of me, saying my kids will be on college before they get turned around. However I do not use them on planes. My rationale .my ne flawed but my thoughts are...if something happens it is likely to be catastrophic and the car seat isn't helping. My personal experience of trying to install a car seat was a nightmare! The comfort provided with being held for an unfamiliar experience lile tale off. Plus You aren't going to use when you are in Orlando so you are going to have to drag it with you and let it take up precious room on your hotel. Lastly, kids are free under 2 that means paying for a seat to use a car seat.

 

[Flossbolna]

I am a car seat fanatic. My friends make fun of me, saying my kids will be on college before they get turned around. However I do not use them on planes. My rationale .my ne flawed but my thoughts are...if something happens it is likely to be catastrophic and the car seat isn't helping. My personal experience of trying to install a car seat was a nightmare! The comfort provided with being held for an unfamiliar experience lile tale off. Plus You aren't going to use when you are in Orlando so you are going to have to drag it with you and let it take up precious room on your hotel. Lastly, kids are free under 2 that means paying for a seat to use a car seat.

With recent reports of flights with bad turbulences, this is when the car seat will make a difference. Not sure you will be able to hold on properly to your lap child when the plane suddenly drops. Not only is it dangerous for the unsecured child, but also for everyone around including yourself if they are hit by a flying toddler. So, not just catastrophic events.

 

[Calantha]

I held DS in my lap when he was about 18 months old and we flew east to west coast. It was such a struggle and my body hurt so much by the end. Every other time we used a car seat and although it sucks to carry it around, it was much more comfortable for all of us (and safer too).

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

With recent reports of flights with bad turbulences, this is when the car seat will make a difference. Not sure you will be able to hold on properly to your lap child when the plane suddenly drops. Not only is it dangerous for the unsecured child, but also for everyone around including yourself if they are hit by a flying toddler. So, not just catastrophic events.

Agree. We've had some recent flights with pretty bad turbulence - nothing so bad that it makes the news or anything, but bad enough that people on board were letting out gasps and screams and praying out loud. We've also had some recent rough landings, including one where they told us we were being put on a shorter runway than normal and to expect very aggressive braking (and it sure was!). I wouldn't risk injuries to my child, and I'm always a little annoyed when I see others do it ... they're not only risking their own kid, they're risking others that may be hit by a flying child. Personally I think airlines should stop allowing lap holding. We had a few years of dragging 2 car seats through airports. It sucks, but it's possible. And it's a lot safer and more comfortable.

 

[Flossbolna]

Agree. We've had some recent flights with pretty bad turbulence - nothing so bad that it makes the news or anything, but bad enough that people on board were letting out gasps and screams and praying out loud. We've also had some recent rough landings, including one where they told us we were being put on a shorter runway than normal and to expect very aggressive braking (and it sure was!). I wouldn't risk injuries to my child, and I'm always a little annoyed when I see others do it ... they're not only risking their own kid, they're risking others that may be hit by a flying child. Personally I think airlines should stop allowing lap holding. We had a few years of dragging 2 car seats through airports. It sucks, but it's possible. And it's a lot safer and more comfortable.

Ideally air lines should be required to have their own airplane seats to safely secure small kids. Especially because an unsecured kid poses a risk for crew and passengers alike.

 

[sponica]

I flew with a 20 month old as a lap rider, THAT WAS THE WORST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE. 4 years later, we paid for a seat for my second born who was 20 months old for her first flight.


We used the CARES Harness with my second 20 month old. If the 15 month old is large enough for the CARES Harness, I would use that.

 

[justafigment27]

Car seat 100%. It’s safest and it’s the most comfortable for everyone. Yes, it’s a hassle lugging it around, but traveling with toddlers is a hassle in general, so what’s one more thing.

 

[Dug720]

Lap children become projectiles in the event of turbulence. Not safe for the kid OR anyone else. Pay for the seat and bring a car seat.

 

[Girl of the South]

I don’t understand why the airlines promote this unsafe behavior saying kids under 2 fly “free”. At considerable risk.

Maybe let them fly half price? Agree Airlines’s should provide safety seats? Although then there is a liability issue.

I wonder how safe those bassinets are on long haul flights?

 

[Mommb]

I can't imagine holding my child continually for 1 hour, let alone 3 hours, especially if the "fasten seatbelts" sign is on most of the time and passengers can't move about the cabin.

I always flew with a car seat when my kids were under 4, even if it mean relying on the kindness of strangers to help me navigate it on and off the plane when flying without my husband.

I hoped that being in a familiar seat would help my kids sleep through the flight. That rarely worked (my daughter would chatter until about 15 minutes before landing, then fall asleep) but it did keep them safe even during turbulence and rough landings, and kept me from muscle strain.

 

[Sleepyluke]

Buy the kid a seat. We used this several times with our kids flying. You may end up holding them most of the flight, but you at least have the option to let them sit down. Much more portable than lugging the car seat around and trying to figure out how to store it. Also, depending on the car seat, I would not want the sides digging into me the entire flight since you know it wont fit easily.

https://www.amazon.com/Child-Airplane-Travel-Harness-Restraint/dp/B0012E4FV8

 

[Mle8308]

Definitely a car seat for all the reasons above. If it's only a total of 3 - two parents and the child, and you do the lap option and a full flight, it's kind of not fair to that person who has to sit with you. It can be very challenging to keep a child on your lap for 3 hours, especially at that age, and seat belted in. Spend the extra money, we always paid for seats for my nephews, never did lap seating, even when under 6 months. Too dangerous.

 

[Keeblerelf928]

Car seat. I know it's more expensive, but having been on flights with turbulence, car seat every time. We used a car seat on the plane until they weighed enough for the plane seatbelt (40lbs).