3 yr old and flying

[Stacy9402]

I just have a question. This is the first time I have taken my daughter on an airplane and was wondering if I need to bring a carseat for her sit in or do they provide one? We are flying Independence Air. Are car seats even required?

Also any other suggestions would also be appreciated.

Thanks
Stacy

 

[conwaym98]

We went to WDW when our son was 2.5. We took his car seat with us. I found that installing it on the plane was difficult given the limited space between seats. On the way back, we checked the seat as luggage and he did better on the flight home (less fussy, etc). You'll need a car seat when you get to orlando if you're renting a car, hiring a towncar, etc, but not for Magic Express. As far as I know, airlines do not require car seats for children.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Don't know about Independence, but we have flown, USAirways, Delta, AirTran and American and a carseat was never provided. I don't use one for my DD because she HATES her car seat and screams whenever she's in it. Alot of people do, because their child feels more secure in it and will also nap .

 

[dizbizz]

No they arent' required, and must be FAA ( I think that is right ) certified to be used on an airplane. Up to you if you want to carry down the aisle of the plane or not? I say do what every will make your trip easiest.
Have fun

 

[Stacy9402]

Thanks I really don't want to carry one on the plane but I might check one in because I thik we are going to rent a car because my husband wants to go offsite after the parks close since we are going in Jan.

 

[isyt]

You can also rent a car seat from all car rentals. Usually not too expensive, but I would ask how good they clean between uses.

 

[Skroops]

Car seats are not required nor provided on any US carrier. All of the car seats sold these days (other than the booster type) have a sticker from the manufacturer that the car seat is approved for both automobiles and aircraft. It is safer to use the car seat onboard the aircraft, plus it helps keep you child in the seat when required to do so.
The rental car companies charge $8-12 per day for a car seat. We found it more economical to bring ours with us. If you check it with your luggage, the airline will provide a clear plastic bag for it.
I know you didn't ask about a stroller, but it is handy to know that you can bring your stroller all the way on the jetway to the airplane and then check it there. When you arrive at your destination it is waiting for you on the jetway. We really like that!

 

[safetymom]

If you need a car seat when you get to Orlando I suggest bringing your own. The start of your vacation is not the time to learn how to correctly use and install a different car seat.

 

[tlbwriter]

You aren't required to use the carseat on the plane, but there are lots of very good reason to do so. Visit this page for more details. Also, I'd be very leery of checking your seat as luggage. I've heard many reports of damaged seats, or seats that didn't make it onto the plane.

 

[Jen D]

We used to carry ours on the plane for our dd to use but sometime around her being 3 we stopped and started using the regular seatbelt for her. The carseats are probably safer, but as those little legs get longer they have nowhere to go in the cramped rows, except for on the seat of the person in front of you. And they can't use the tray table because it won't recline, which is bad for eating or coloring or whatever. Having the carseat began to cause all sorts of problems.

We do check the carseat. Yes, it has been lost once... they gave us a temp and delivered the original the next day.

 

[ntburns22]

We put my DS in his carseat for the flights. For us it was perfect. He knew once he was in his seat he could not get up. He doesn't mind his carseat at all. We had color wonder fingerpaints and a mini magna doodle. He was the perfect flyer. We didn't need the seat until we flew back out but I would not of flown with out it.

 

[djbleach]

Flown with our daughter apx 5 trips since she was an infant. She's been a lapchild a couple times. Once she turned 2 her tickets are no longer free. So I take her carseat. Like previous, she knows what the car seat means. Even though she wants to get up. I don't like carrying it thru the airport, thats the downside.
I think most Vans have carseats already in the seats? This would save you the extra $ .

 

[sjrogo713]

I thought the lugging of the seat and installing it on the plane to be a pain, BUT we did have a bad experience with getting disgusting car seats from the rental car place. If you are not renting a car, I would not bother with it for the plane. Also my son was always very good with staying in with the seat belt and all, so we didn't really have that problem