Car Seat on plane, should I bother?

[Minniemouse07]

Dd flew on five different trips between 17mo and 3.5yo...every trip in her car seat. The first she was rear facing (SO much easier for mom and child as long as they meet the manufacturer's requirements for rear facing) and the rest of the time she was forward facing. Each trip she was riding in a smaller sized Britax seat (similar to a Roundabout). About 85% of the time she SLEPT for the plane ride!

We are flying in December with dd (now 6yo) and ds(turning 2yo while there) and dd will not have her booster seat (not allowed on planes) and ds will be using the same seat his sister did (it expires in February), he will be rear facing.

I wouldn't even consider not using a CRS (child restraint system) if my child still fit into one and it was FAA approved. Dd still uses a 5pt harness in my car (booster in dh's) but it is a huge seat and not FAA approved.

I realize this is an older thread, but I just wanted to chime in about how important I feel using a CRS is on a plane (or in a car for that matter!).

 

[tlbwriter]

If you don't want to lug your carseat around, strap it onto a folding luggage cart. The Samsonite Micro Mover is highly recommended. You can also put carryons in the seat while you're rolling it around, so it's a good way to consolidate some of your cargo.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Micro-Mover-Fold-Luggage/dp/B000A8MGFO

 

[Minniemouse07]

If you don't want to lug your carseat around, strap it onto a folding luggage cart. The Samsonite Micro Mover is highly recommended. You can also put carryons in the seat while you're rolling it around, so it's a good way to consolidate some of your cargo.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Micro-Mover-Fold-Luggage/dp/B000A8MGFO

This is what we use to get the car seat through the airport as well.. works WONDERFULLY and isn't $$ at all!

 

[disneywith4boys]

When the twins were 2 1/2, DH and I lugged 2 carseats, a double stroller, 3 carry-ons and their 4 and 7 year old brothers through the airport. Personally, at that age, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The twins stayed in their seat for the whole flight, though I was busy jumping from one activity to another to keep them occupied. DH had it made in the seats in front of us, DS7 and DS4 watched DVD's the entire trip! I'm looking forward to our next trip- the twins will be 4 1/2, and then we will not be bring car seats for the plane, but will rent booster seats for the rental car.

 

[camdensmom]

Absolutely!

We always take ours and despite the hassle are always glad we did.

A child knows how to behave in a carseat and often feels safe there. The same is not true for a plane.

We bought a luggage cart on wheels (folds up easily and pops into the overhead) at Kohl's (though they sell them everywhere) and strap the seat onto it with our carryon bag in it to get through the airport. Makes for super easy travel.

 

[Kies99]

We flew with DD (at age 6m) with her carseat. We didn't have to pay for an extra seat because there were open seats on the plane. We absolutely HATED having that car seat with us. It was heavy lugging it around the airport and it took up 1 1/2 seats on the plane. It was nice not having to hold DD but arm was cramped anyway from squshing next to the seat.

We're flying to Disney next month (she's 1 now) and I'm wondering if I should bother dealing with this car seat again. She is a busy body but I know I could keep her still with some books and food. Should I bother brining the seat on board or just check it.

If you know you can keep her busy and by saying "We" I assume there will be two adults, then don't worry about the car seat.

My 6yo and 4yo have never flown with car seats, even as newborns. We just held them in our laps (trading off between the two of us) and once they were 2, we just kept them busy as well and never had an issue.

We have also never had an issue with checking our carseats. They've never been any more mistreated than any other baggage.

 

[tlbwriter]

We have also never had an issue with checking our carseats. They've never been any more mistreated than any other baggage.

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement!

 

[Kies99]

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement!

 

[Jennygt]

yes take it. We just flew with Ds 12 months and as soon as he got in it he was comphy and fell asleep. We had a little trolly cart thing that folded up to pull it in the airport. We did take him out on the way home and he was more fussy out than in. We have the Britax marathon. His feet did touch the seat in front so be aware of that. Also as soon as you get on the ploane ask for the seatbelt extender it makes installation much easier. It was a pain but worth it, have a good trip!

 

[northriver]

Sorry, didn't read all the posts but here is a short video that you really should watch before you make your decision. When my oldest was younger, there was a rash of serious injuries from infants/toddler "lap babies" going airborn during turbulance, mostly concussions and broken bones. A big part of the problem is that it is hard to get them to a hospital quickly when you are mid flight, right? So I've always bought a seat and taken a carseat for my children, just like I would in a car. No different, in my opinion. (And everyone has the right to their own opinion, but please make an educated choice!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC4Q3ofz7SI

 

[snubie]

I was under the impression that if you bought a seat for a child under the age of two they had to be in an FAA approved car seat. If they are a lap child, then the point is moot. It is when they are over the age of two that you as a parent can make a choice to use a car seat or not.

We will use a car seat with DD for a while longer on plane rides. She knows she has to sit still in it and she often falls asleep in it.

 

[tlbwriter]

I was under the impression that if you bought a seat for a child under the age of two they had to be in an FAA approved car seat. If they are a lap child, then the point is moot. It is when they are over the age of two that you as a parent can make a choice to use a car seat or not.

I believe that the carseat is always optional, no matter how old the child. Which is unfortunate - I can't believe we are required to safely stow our carry-ons but not our children!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

To be honest I didn't even know that you were allowed to take a car seat on a plane until I read it on the Dis boards a while back. We are in Australia and I can't say I have ever seen or even heard of it being done. And having worked for Qantas, Ansett and Air China I have been on a lot of flights over the years(probably over 350). When we travelled to LAX in 2005 I put my 11 month old in the bassinet that was provided on the plane, attached to the wall in front of us. It was wonderful while she was asleep as it gave us plenty of space. My 3 year old at the time just sat in a seat. This time they are 3 (just turned on Saturday) and 5. They are also very tiny. I was planning on bringing the seat after reading these boards but I am worried after reading this about lack of space on such a long flight. It will take us just over 24hours travelling to get to Orlando. Is there somewhere that might recommend what type of seat to bring on the plane. We are off to London afterwards and then via Hong Kong to home which will be another 24 hours flying so we want to be as comfortable as possible.

 

[NotUrsula]

In the US federal law protects the right to use a carseat on an aircraft (if you have paid for the space to put it in), but that isn't the case in all countries. Some (Italy, for instance) don't allow their use at all, and some leave it up to the airline to decide whether or not to allow them (most UK charter airlines will not allow carseats to be used.) You would need to check and see where Australia and your airline fall on this spectrum.

I only fly US carriers when I'm flying OTW with a young child, because I really like using a carseat on overnight flights. I just can't sleep otherwise, worrying that they might get out of their seats and roam all over the aircraft.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I have checked with Qantas and with them we have to apply for approval prior to travelling. I am sure it is just a formality thing though. Our internal flights in the US are with AA so that will be fine. The only other I need to check with is British Airways. I am not sure what their policy is although I would hope being a major airline they would be inline with the others.