Car Seat on plane

[kohler2009]

My son will be almost 3 when we go to Disney. I am wondering if I should lug his car seat on the plane to keep him contained. Once we get to Orlando, we are going to take Magic Express. Are there seatbelts on Magic Express to attach the car seat? Just wondering if anyone has an opinion car seat vs. no car seat.

 

[merina888]

You can't use your car seat on the Magical Express. It's up to you regarding whether you bring your car seat on the plane. On my last trip, my son was 4 and did fine without it because he is used to keeping himself occupied on long car trips and such. My daughter who is much younger was terrible. It depends on your kid. What would make the trip easiest on you? For some kids it would be worth it to put them in their car seat where they are most comfortable and keeps them confined. For others, it doesn't matter.

Just be sure if you take your car seat that it's a convertible and not a booster. Booster seats are not allowed to be used on airplanes.

 

[cmwade77]

We just flew and Delta required all car seats to be gate checked. It appears they are no longer allowed to be used on the plane based on what they were saying, so I would check with your airline.

 

[kohler2009]

This is great to know! Thanks so much. I think with an iPad or iPod he will be entertained for the flight. If the car seat can't be used on ME, then I really don't see the need to take it along. It will be enough of a challenge to wrangle a stroller, luggage, and wild 3 year old

 

[maxiesmom]

I would also take into consideration how much of a kicker your son is. If being in his car seat means he would be constantly kicking the person in front of him, then leave it at home. That would be no fun for you or the person seated in front of your son.

 

[SweetMissy]

We've never brought a carseat to disney...well except when we drove a couple years ago. Even for the baby last year, he was 4 months old. We just held him. Unless you're renting a car and NEED the carseat, I say don't bother.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We just flew and Delta required all car seats to be gate checked. It appears they are no longer allowed to be used on the plane based on what they were saying, so I would check with your airline.

Not true; you must have misunderstood. FAA approved car seats can be used on Delta:

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/special-travel-needs/children.html

OP - I would not bring a car seat on a plane for a 3 year old.

 

[Carriemel]

I was just coming along to post the link Lost in Cyberspace did.

SO, in light of that...we did take our car seat on Delta for our 3 year old. Kept her in a familiar environment. If your child is used to being in the car seat for extended periods of time, I'd suggest you do use it.

 

[CanuckTraveller]

I've used a car seat on an airplane for our DS2 when he was 3 yrs, despite the fact we didn't need it at our destination. Aircraft seats are very wide for small children, my 7yo has trouble getting comfortable if he wants to do snooze. We used the car seat on board until he was 4 yrs old.
The airline may check to see that it is an aircraft approved seat, I've had that happen many times. Check the airlines's website for their policy on using a seat on board. Some seats do allow the child to kick the seat in front of them more easily, but the Radian/diono dont have this issue. Personally I much prefer to have my child in their seat where they are comfortable, but that's me. The ME buses don't have seatbelts so the car seat would be transported as luggage.

 

[melindae10]

I think alot of it depends on how far you have to come. We have a 5-6 hour ride so my 2 year old DS will be in his car seat for sure! Not only will he be safer, but he will be more comfortable and be able to sleep better (which I hope he takes a great nap!)

 

[Betty Rohrer]

also on most planes the carseat has to go in the window seat. if you do not get or buy window seat, most likely you will not be able to use for safetyof person in window seat.

 

[Spunky946]

Last year when we flew dd was 3 and we did not use the seat on the plane, we gate checked it and used it in the rental car, we were staying off property. We are going in 5 days and she will now be 4 and we are not taking it at all because we are using Magical express. That's the one part I'm really looking forward to is not having to lug it at all with us.

I would not use it.

 

[CanuckTraveller]

also on most planes the carseat has to go in the window seat. if you do not get or buy window seat, most likely you will not be able to use for safetyof person in window seat.

I've had the opposite experience on US Air and West Jet where they have moved other people to accommodate children in car seats. I don't know what would happen if all the window seats were paid upgrades, though I have seen a car seat put against the back wall of the plane where there are no windows.

 

[nat8199]

Normally I am all about car seats on planes, our Disney trip in Oct will be our first time not using them, however since you will not be using it at Disney, and you son is older, I would leave it behind. As long as your flights are short and you have some sort of entertainment device (we will be using iPad minis), then you should be fine. If you want to spend the money, there is a CARES safety harness that is super easy to pack and approved for airline use. We have one and might get a second for the our twins to use, but I haven't decided yet.

 

[mm1971]

My son will be almost 3 when we go to Disney. I am wondering if I should lug his car seat on the plane to keep him contained. Once we get to Orlando, we are going to take Magic Express. Are there seatbelts on Magic Express to attach the car seat? Just wondering if anyone has an opinion car seat vs. no car seat.

Are you renting a car in Orlando?

If yes, I would suggest checking the seat with your luggage. From our experience we never had an issue with the kids not staying in the seat. Just make sure you bring things for him to do. We usually bring the Ipad and they watch movies. They even ask to sit together and watch. Don't hear a peep for most of our flight. We also bring a coupe of snack and some other activities like coloring books, music player and headphones....

If you are taking Disney transportation, no need to bring it. The busses do not require car seats, kind of like school busses.

 

[GrandCalifornian]

We struggled with this same debate before our trip last September with our then almost three year old. We too were taking ME so we wouldn't need the seat while we were there, but still had to decide what to do on the plane. Our carseats we already had were too big to be suitable for the plane, so we purchased a carseat specifically for flying (used on craigslist). It's a Radian 80 by Sunshine Kids (new name Diono). The seat folds up and it is narrow enough to fit in the width of the airplane seat so you can still use the arm rests and it sits low enough so she could still use the tray table. Carrying it through the airport and stuff was really easy since it has a shoulder strap and carrys like a medium size bag, then opens up and sets up quickly once we got on the plane.

We definitely reccomend this carseat for flying with a toddler. It kept her nicely contained on the plane, since she is used to riding in her carseat. She rode great for her first ever plane flights. In comparison, she was more active and wanted to move around on the ME bus, which made us even more glad we didn't have those same problems with her strapped in on the plane.

Finally, we got some piece of mind out of having a seat with us in case something unexpected happened and we had to ride in a car. While it isn't really likely, we were more comfortable knowing we could rent a car or get a taxi and have a seat to put her in.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

also on most planes the carseat has to go in the window seat. if you do not get or buy window seat, most likely you will not be able to use for safetyof person in window seat.

No, you have the right to use the car seat with a paid ticket. The airline will have to move passengers if necessary to free a window seat. Hopefully car seat users think ahead and select a window seat in advance for their child to avoid this problem.

 

[AlliF75]

We've flown several times with my 4 y.o., we did two XC trips last year with her. I used the car seat on the way to San Diego, but never again. She spent the entire time either on my lap or my husband's, or worse, wedged between us. However, the car seat thoroughly enjoyed it's window seat for the entire flight. She was excellent on the flight home w/o the car seat - happily using her activity books or watching movies on the DVD player. Now we gate check it along with the stroller. Good luck!

 

[Red_Rider]

I would go with the car seat as it is what they are most comfortable with. Also as someone else mentioned make sure you book the window seat as FAA regulations require all car seats be closest to the window.

 

[kalimom6]

Depend on the child. My just turned 3 last month did awesome without the car seat. We checked his car seat and 5 year olds booster. We did take 16 month olds infant seat that he still fits in and didnt have a problem. Delta DID ask though if his seat was paid for. I have heard of people taking their car seat on the plane for a lap baby inthe hopes there would be an empty seat so that also could be something pp seen/heard.
I wouldnt take the seat, and if concerned, rent a CARES system or buy one.