Car seats on the plane, what age?

[toystorymom]

Two of our boys are still in car seats, ages 4 and 2. We will be bringing the seats to Orlando with us and renting a car. Do we check them or should they sit in them on the plane? Not sure what the easiest or best thing to do is. Thanks for any advice.

 

[mcnuss]

If you have purchased seats for both children and they are used to traveling in them, I would bring them on board and have them sit in them. My DD traveled in hers until she was almost emabarrassed to be seen in it, but she traveled quietly and comfortably this way, not to mention she was safely strapped in and easier for me to control!

 

[floridaminnie]

4 yr old DD has a car seat/booster seat, but it isn't approved for the airplane. There wasn't any that could go on the airplane. I did a whole bunch of researching before I bought her car seat, so we checked it in and used it versus renting a whatever from the rental car agency. It worked out great. She fit in find with the lap seatbelt.

 

[Wendynjane]

We took our 3 yo DD and did not use her car seat on the plane but checked it instead. When kids get bigger the car seat tends to push them up and out a bit which really smushes them up against the seat in front of them. It's not overly comfortable for them, so instead of worrying about her kicking the seat in front of her the whole time I just buckled her into the "big girl seat" and she loved it. Good luck!

 

[Kimberle]

Many seats do not fit in the narrow airplane seats. And, nearly all are not approved for airplane use (because planes have lap belts only). If you bring it on the plane, you may end up gate checking it because it's to big.

I'd just check the seats. We've always checked ours.

 

[NotUrsula]

In the US, the FAA guidelines for using a CRS onboard an aircraft are based on weight. A child over 40 lbs. can safely use the aircraft's own seat restraint.

http://www1.faa.gov/fsdo/phl/tipsfor.htm

Most new US-made high-back booster seats are approved for aircraft use *ONLY IF THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 5-PT HARNESS*. If you remove the harness from an approved seat, then the aircraft certification is void. No booster seat without a back can ever be used on a US-based aircraft.

If you plan on using your CRS' on board, be aware that there are restrictions on where they can be placed. Unless you are flying on SWA, be sure to notify the airline well in advance that you will be using them, so that they can check to be sure that you are not assigned to forbidden seat positions.

 

[toystorymom]

Thanks everyone and thanks NotUrsula for the link, great info! I think that we will probably have our 2 year old use his car seat on the plane. He is under 40 pounds and is a bit of a wild man. I think everyone will thank us! He's used to riding in it so hopefully it will keep him settled on the plane.

My 4 year old should be fine in the lap belt. I'm not sure his seat would fit anyway so we will check it with the luggage.

We are flying Southwest so I will be sure to be aware of the seating restrictions.

Now the big question is how to lug all this stuff around!!

 

[Jen D]

At age 2, our daughter was still using the seat with few problems, but by age 4, the seat had become too unruly-- too uncomfortable, no feet room, couldn't use the tray table-- just pretty miserable in every way. And her feet were crammed against the seat in front of her so kicking was inevitable.

She is almost 6 now-- we still travel with her seat everywhere and just check it whe we check baggage.

 

[NotUrsula]

On SWA, since seats are not assigned, you should be able to pre-board to install the carseat. Just ask one of the FA's to tell you what the restrictions are.

In short, the answer is, it goes in a window seat. It cannot be used in an exit row (of course), but also not in the row in FRONT of an exit row. Carseats are permitted in the bulkhead rows, but many do not fit in that row, because you usually need to lift the armrests in order to buckle it in.

 

[Cameo]

Our 3 1/2 DS will be riding on the airplane without a car booster seat. We are putting it in a duffle bag to check and will use it in the car when we arrive. He uses a small booster so I don't feel he is any more safe on the plane using it than he is if just buckled in while sitting on the airplane seat.