Booster seat on airplane

[Mom+4]

I have never flown with children, but will be heading to MCO in December with a 3 y/o, 5 y/o and 11 y/o. The 3 y/o still uses a booster seat in the car (the tall kind with 5 point harness, attached to seat with car's seatbelt). Can I take this on the plane with us? I think she would understand the need to stay seated much better if she is in her regular car seat, rather than in the plane's seat belt. In addition, I really don't want to check the booster seat as luggage in case it gets lost. I need it the minute we land for the rental car.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[BounceyOne]

You can use your seat only if it is approved by the FAA. Look on the seat where all the details of the seat are, it will tell you if it is suitable for airplanes, not all seats are.

 

[beachclubber]

I recommend using the car seat. We have flown with two children in car seats on many trips. The children seemed more comfortable and the seats prevented them from escaping while we tended to other things.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

booster seats are not allowed on planes.

 

[emmy]

I think the kind you are describing(with 5 point harness) are allowed! We have flown with our Century high back boosters twice now.They do need to have an FAA approval on them.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Since there seems to be some varied answers here, I would call your airline and find out what their policies are.
I was told no and emmy has used them. Go figure.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

I know they don't let you use the little booster seats where the seatbelt has to go around the front of them. the ones that are the high back with the 5 point harness are allowed as long as they have the FAA approval sticker on the back. the only problem is some of them don't fit on the aircrafts.

 

[lindaso]

From your decription, it sounds like it's a high-back booster which is allowed (if it's FAA approved) and still has the 5 point harness attached. Most 5 pt. harnesses only go up to 40 lbs. After that, it must be used as a belt-positioning booster which is not allowed on a plane. Do you know what make and model the seat is and how much the child weighs?

Linda

 

[Mom+4]

It is a Century High Back booster seat, and my DD currently weighs 35 pounds. How can I tell if it is FAA approved? Is there a sticker on it or something? Thanks for all the answers.

 

[RAV]

We used a booster seat for my son. It was FAA approved, but not the high back. I was able to lock it and put my arm through it so as to carry it like a shoulder bag. It was a great way to keep him secured in the seat and in something familiar. We then used it in the rental car. But, I too would suggest calling your carrier and making certain that your seat is permitted.

 

[lindaso]

Mom+4: Century makes lots of different high back boosters...do you know the specific model, like Accel or Next Step? Check your owner's manual or look for a sticker on the side of the seat to see if it's FAA approved. HTH.

Linda

 

[Barb D]

My carseat has a tiny white sticker on the back which says it is approved for use on airplanes. It doesn't say anything about the FAA. Someone posted on another thread that that's all that's required.

 

[lcsmom]

As others have said, as long as the booster seat is "approved for airlines" and you are using it with the 5-point harness, use it on the plane. The big problem is that some of the boosters do not fit into the airplane seats, though, by putting one of your other children next to the booster and pushing up the armrest, you can borrow a little space. Call your airline to make sure they preboard toddlers, some of the airlines only preboard those with lap babies. You want to have plenty of time to fit the booster seat in and get your 3y.o. fastened in. Also, for safety reasons, any type of child safety seat is suppose to get the window seat.
BTW, most of the flight attendants really want kids to fly in safety seats, so if you have to gate check it because it won't fit, they will take care of it.

 

[MMCD]

If you are getting your seat assigned ahead of time, make sure you sure you are not placed on the emergency exit row. Also you can not be assigned to sit behind an emergency row just in case the emergency exit seat must be able to lean back all the way.

We've flown only on American and Continental. We were able to take our toddler car seat along. What is a pain in the b### is that the tray can not be fully opened. When you get served food/drinks, you'll have to double up on the tray next to the car seat.

If your 3 y/o is wild like mine, TAKE it on the plane!!! Like a stroller you can gate check it in and gate pick it up.

Have fun,

MMCD