Car Seat Question

[TEK224]

I normally don't travel with very young children. However, I am taking my niece, her husband and 2 year old son next month. She's bringing his car seat for the rental ( I got such a great price if we rented a car seat for the week, it would cost more than the car rental!).
Would he need to be in the car seat on the plane as well? Or do two year-olds just get strapped in with the regular seat belts? If he won't need it on the plane, do the airlines charge a baggage fee for car seats?

This will be an interesting trip, as I will need to slow things down. I'm used to go, go, going when I heat the parks, but will have to slow down to allow for getting around with the stroller and not overloading the young one. But it will be a good practice experience since next year I'm taking 3 other nieces and their kids. 13 of us in all, with 5 under 6 years old!

 

[Tiffylv]

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[khertz]

He doesn't have to sit in it on the plane, but I would recommend it. Both for safety and because it will contain them more. I think you can check a car seat for free, but I would check with the particular airline you are using to see. If not, you should be able to gate check for free.

 

[MrPTato]

We are taking our 2yo DD in January and her last 3 trips to Disney have always been in her carseat. She sleeps well in her seat and it will provide more support for sleeping and peace of mind for us. We only use it on the plane and have to drag it around until we get to our room at the resort.

 

[tmh43]

Car seat on the plane rocks. If you're bringing it anyway, definitely use it.

 

[Muskrat191]

It is safer for the child to use the car seat in case of turbulence, aborted takeoff, etc. Using the car seat on the plane also ensures it is not damaged when you arrive in Orlando (at which point you couldn't drive anywhere with the child!)

 

[jmccoy18]

Just make sure the carseat is approved by the FAA for air travel.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

to OP if carseat is FAA approved I would use on plane as child is used to sitting and staying there while in car but if just using seat belt 2 year old will be able to unbuckle and may not leave in place when needed as in takeoff

 

[kohlby]

It is best to use the carseat on the airplane - both for safety and because kids are more likely to sit like they should in a familiar seat. However, if she absolutely can't take it on the plane, then look into something like the CARES harness for it. (I think they cost about $50 but can be rented for about $25). I traveled without my husband with three kids and couldn't lug the heavy carseat so my 2.5 year old used the CARES harness. There's no way I would have been able to do it without it. We would have been kicked off the plane since my child freaked out and wouldn't sit correctly.

 

[Angel Ariel]

I normally don't travel with very young children. However, I am taking my niece, her husband and 2 year old son next month. She's bringing his car seat for the rental ( I got such a great price if we rented a car seat for the week, it would cost more than the car rental!).
Would he need to be in the car seat on the plane as well? Or do two year-olds just get strapped in with the regular seat belts? If he won't need it on the plane, do the airlines charge a baggage fee for car seats?

This will be an interesting trip, as I will need to slow things down. I'm used to go, go, going when I heat the parks, but will have to slow down to allow for getting around with the stroller and not overloading the young one. But it will be a good practice experience since next year I'm taking 3 other nieces and their kids. 13 of us in all, with 5 under 6 years old!

I would bring the seat on the plane or I would look into a CARES harness. I would not fly with a 2 year old (in their own seat) with only the lap belt that the plane has.

 

[njmousefest]

Last year brought 2 carseats for a 3 (almost 4) year old and 1 (almost 2 year old) on the plane. It was a pain but it was so worth it (wish airlines hadn't got away from early boarding with young children). The kids were comfortable and familiar with the seat and the young one slept the whole way. And we needed them for the rental anyway. I wouldn't take a chance checking them or gate checking them (unless you have the original packing) as I'd be worry about damage that might not be visible but may impact the safety of the seat if it's ever needed.

 

[kayemgi]

Definitely use the car seat on the plane! It will be much safer and more likely to keep the kid contained and happy.

 

[picprincess]

I agree with everyone's advice to bring the car seat on the plane. I've flown several times with a toddler and I was glad to have the seat on the plane! My sister and I flew this summer with 2 toddlers and we got a rolling cart to attach the car seats to so that we didn't have to carry the heavy seat and it was the "stroller" as we navigated through the airports. They were awesome! We found the britax travel cart on sale and used those with our Diono car seats.