Car seat or not on LONG plane ride with 3.5 yo?

[Minniemouse07]

We'll have an almost three and almost six year old on our trip. So, it's not necessary to have a car seat for the plane? What about Magical Express? Thanks!

When we went in December, we used the car seat on the plane for ds (2yo) and dd (6yo) didn't use one.

On DME I put ds' seat under the bus...and then just stored the seat in the corner.

We didn't need to use a car during our stay at WDW, we just brought it for the plane ride. Ds was way more comfy sitting in it.

We didn't have to worry about him kicking the seat in front of him, dd sat there!

 

[Princess-in-Training]

Check this out!!

http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

It basically converts the airline seat to a 3 point harness. AND it is approved by the FAA. AND it weighs less than a lb. so you don't have to lug a big car seat everywhere! I'm buying one for our upcoming trip

good luck!!

 

[only1alexa]

Check this out!!

http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

It basically converts the airline seat to a 3 point harness. AND it is approved by the FAA. AND it weighs less than a lb. so you don't have to lug a big car seat everywhere! I'm buying one for our upcoming trip

good luck!!

I was going to suggest this too.
I've been using the CARES thing for the last few years and really like it. I tried using my Marathons then the Decathalon and Boulevard for DD and DS on the plane but it really got to be a pain to carry on, a pain to take the plane seat belt off after the trip, and the kids seemed crampd and didn't have any leg room at all. (Who does?)
Then I started using the CARES harnesses and the kids can use the tray, they have more space, they aren't as cramped in their seats, and we can get them in and out in seconds.
Sleeping is an issue either way - it isn't comfortable for anyone so I'd bring a small travel pillow or something. (My two made good use out of their .99 IKEA travel pillow).

Good luck!

 

[mom~of~2]

We've flown several times with DDs and have always brought our car seats. We just returned from Orlando and used the CARES harnesses for the first time (DD-3.5 and DD-20 mos.) Our flight was less than 3 hours. I loved how easy CARES was to transport and install. It was also nice to be able to use the tray. The issues we had: (1) DD-3.5 was actually complaining that we didn't bring her carseat. She just couldn't get comfortable because her bottom kept wanting to slide down the seat. (2) Both DDs enjoyed unbuckling the airplane seatbelt (the CARES harness attaches to the regular seatbelt). Although, the novelty seemed to wear off somewhat as it wasn't as much of an issue on the flight back home.

For us, CARES worked great for Orlando since we were using ME for transportation. For a long flight - I think our family would stick to car seats because our DDs like their carseats and they would be more comfortable for sleeping. (We flew 9 hours a few months ago and were happy we had the car seats - there was some bad turbulance over the ocean and DDs also slept great on the flight since they were used to sleeping in their carseats).

 

[amarberry]

Thanks so much for all of the replies. It is definitely my preference to take a carseat for her...I just wasn't sure if it was a good idea because of the space issue. We have always taken DD's carseat for the plane in the past, even when using Magical Express because I do feel that it is safer for her, but also because I think that she is more comfortable in it.

I had considered the CARES system, but I think it's a little pricey unless you travel all the time. I think I'm going to put the money towards the Nautilus instead. We really need a bigger seat for her in DH's car, so I think that it would be a good purchase between using it in his car and for travel in the next year or two. It seems reasonably priced and is getting very good reviews.

Actually, the information that pushed me over the edge with the Nautilus is a review I found when I googled "Graco Nautilus airplane". I found a great review with pictures of how the car seat actually fit on the airplane that was posted by someone I recognized from the Disboards (Labdogs42). I guess that it's a small cyberworld. If your reading this thread Labdogs42...thank you!!!!