Car seat for 4 year old?

[angiejg]

Hi! Can you give me your opinion? My son will be 4 when we go on our trip in June. He is about 35 pounds now I think. I don't know if he will reach 40 pounds by then. Do you all think we should let him go on the plane with just the seatbelt or should we take a seat for him? This is our first time flying, but DH flies all the time for work. I'm hoping he won't need a seat, since we won't need it during our stay, but is this still safe on the plane?

Thanks for your help!

 

[2forMe]

Well I have only had the car seat usedonthe palne when my kids were in the infant seat. I would think that just buckled in your child would be as safe as anyone else on the plane. Car seats are really meant to be safe for cars .. nhot planes anyway

 

[tjmw2727]

Car seats are really meant to be safe for cars .. nhot planes anyway

Actually both the Federal Aviation Administration and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that a Child Safety Seat be used for children up to 40 lbs on the aircraft.

However it is not required just recommended. We used a carseat when flying until our girls were in the 3 1/2 to 4ish range.

OP - in your case if you think your 4yo will sit in the aircraft seat properly and wear the seatbelt when required I would probably not bring the seat unless you need it on the ground. If you are using ME from the airport to the resort and disney buses then IMHO with a 4yo you don't need the Carseat.

TJ

 

[Hannathy]

I never brought a car seat for any of my kids and they did fine even on a couple of flight with terrible turbulence and rough landings and they have flown well over 50 times.

 

[reggiemcp]

Hi

My son weights 34 pds and 38 inches tall and is turning 3 this July. We have always brought the car seat on the plane. But we just did a short flight this past weekend and tried it without. What a pleasure, no car seat to drag through the airport. He handled the seat belt without a problem, and was quite comfy.

I say go wild and live without it. Just bring lots of things to keep amused. He also loved looking out the window.


Good luck!