Car Seats on the Plane

[KerriMc]

Hello

Last year we took our youngest dd at 7 mos and she was still in her infant carrier. That was easy to strap into the seat. This year we have decided to take her car seat as she is a little monkey and there is no way she will sit in her seat with just a lap belt ... she'd wriggle out of it in a second! Is there a trick to strapping the car seat into the airplane seat? Do you just loop the lap belt through the back? I'm so worried we will cause a big hold up trying to figure it all out and my dh will be cursing me for lugging the darn thing along !! Any help is appreciated!!

Thanks so much
Kerri

 

[Mark P.]

Hi,
The car seat is the way to go. The plane's belt probably won't 'cinch' as tight as a car's would, but it will be safer and more comfortable for a child to be in a car seat.
Please don't worry if it takes a minute or two to get settled

Here's a link from the FAA on car seats:

http://faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

Have a safe and fun trip,
-Mark

 

[janets]

the seat belt will go through the back of the carseat just like in the car (if you don't have a LATCH system). The flight attendant will be happy to help you if you get into trouble. We had some difficulty on our flight down in December because DH didn't realize that you can access the back of the seat by lifting up the seat cover on the back (has a flap). When we came back, it took all of 5 seconds to secure and the flight attendant helped out.

Have a great flight.

 

[amylucinda]

Depending on your carseat, you'll want to watch how the latchplate on the plane belt lies. Remember, they are mostly old-fashioned, "lift-the-latchplate" belts, which implies that you need enough space between the latchplate and the backside of the carseat to actually lift it! On some carseats the seatbelt will lie flat against the body, and you won't be able to lift the latchplate once the carseat is snugged in.

So, in those cases, you'll want to rotate (twist) the belt one turn.

Bottom line...BEFORE you snug, check to be sure that you'll be able to lift the latchplate once the belt is tight!

 

[NotUrsula]

If you can't lift the plate by reaching through the side, you can do it by going around to the row behind you and reaching up between the cushions.

There is a bit of a trick. You want to extend the seat belt to full length, thread it and latch it, then tighten it by pulling the end of the belt until it snugs in. It will be easier to do if you recline the airline seat before you install the carseat, then pull the seat recline up when you are done installing. That will tighten it that last bit, rather than having to cinch the belt so tightly.

 

[nygrl]

Hello

Last year we took our youngest dd at 7 mos and she was still in her infant carrier. That was easy to strap into the seat. This year we have decided to take her car seat as she is a little monkey and there is no way she will sit in her seat with just a lap belt ... she'd wriggle out of it in a second! Is there a trick to strapping the car seat into the airplane seat? Do you just loop the lap belt through the back? I'm so worried we will cause a big hold up trying to figure it all out and my dh will be cursing me for lugging the darn thing along !! Any help is appreciated!!

Thanks so much
Kerri

just a quick note... with a baby you will be able to pre board so if it takes you a few minutes to get the car seat strapped in dont worry there wont be people trying to pass by you and like someone else said if you have any trouble just ask a flight attendant they will help you.