Car Seat On Plane..installing

[gwtw428]

Hi,
I am flying to disney with my 1yr old and I have no clue how to install the car seat on the plane. Since she will be facing forward how do I make sure I install in properly? I have a Britax Companion seat.

Any tricks or tips?

Thanks!!

 

[tjmw2727]

You should install it just as you would in the car - FAA regulations state that the seat should be installed acc'd to mfg instructons. Since this seat is only designed to be used rear facing you must use it rearfacing in the aircraft not forward facing.

If it can be used without the base this is the easiest way to use it on the aircraft. If so I would practice installing it without the base prior to the flight.

TJ

 

[stacy6552]

Here's my secret. Recline the seat first. It makes getting the seatbelt secured so much easier. Then sit the seatback up again and you are good and tight.

Have you got a carseat dufflebag? Get one. Its worth every penny, I swear.

 

[Siouxstone]

My best tip is if you are traveling with another adult. I leave DH off the plane with DS while I board and get everything settled. That way you have room to move around and get the seat installed. It really takes the pressure off.

 

[all4fun]

The Companion is a rear facing only seat seat so it has to be installed rear facing. Just because she's over 1 doesn't mean she has to be fwd facing. Rear facing is actually safest, and the AAP recommends keeping infants and toddlers rear facing for as long as their convertible seats allow (30-35lbs depending on the mfgr).

As TJ said, you should install it according to mfgr directions - check your manual - you should be able to install it w/out using the base and you would be using the instructions for a lap belt install. It shouldn't be too difficult! If your dd is getting too big for the infant seat (a lot of kids outgrow their infant seats well before they turn one) which is 22lbs or once the top of the head has an inch or less of shell above it, then a good travel convertible seat that is also inexpensive is the Cosco Scenera w/5-pt harness. That is the seat we used for travel and I liked it because it was easy to install on the airplane both rear and fwd facing and it wasn't too heavy or bulky to carry around.

This is a link to the FAA Child Safety on Airplanes site:
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

This site has more info about child safety on airplanes and there are tips for installing car seats on planes down towards the bottom of the page:
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/airplanetravel.aspx (fyi: there's also great info on that site about why rear facing is safest).

hth!

 

[las3888]

Just an FYI that most airlines will make you use it in the window seat if possible. Reclining the seat really helps to make sure you have a snug fit. I also highly recommend the carseat bag...It is very worthwhile!!!

 

[pkgman]

Ask if you can install the carseat a few minutes before your section begins boarding. This will give you a little more time if the gate agent will allow to board earlier.