Carseat on airplane

[iluvdisneyworld]

We are going to DW in May. DS will be a month short of being 4 years old. He currently uses a booster seat in the car. Do we have to bring a carseat for the airplane? If so, can we use his booster?

TIA

 

[SteeleTig]

No, you don't have to bring a car seat on a plane for any age child. Most people seem to bring them for babies who cannot sit by themselves and they don't want to hold the baby during the flight. At your son's age he should be able to sit just fine in the seat without any booster. Then you won't have the hassle of getting it on the plane along with everything else. If you will be renting a car at the other end then you might want to check his booster as luggage, if not then I'd just leave it home.
To answer you question further, yes you can use a booster on the plane, it doesn't have to be a car seat.

 

[NotUrsula]

To answer you question further, yes you can use a booster on the plane, it doesn't have to be a car seat.

Not accurate, I'm afraid. FAA regulations in fact specifically forbid the use of what they define as "booster seats" on board commercial aircraft. 14 CFR 121.311, "(D) Except as provided in Sec. 121.311(b)(2)(ii)(C)(3), notwithstanding any other provision of this section, booster-type child restraint systems (as defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 (49 CFR 571.213)), vest- and harness-type child restraint systems, and lap held child restraints are not approved for use in aircraft ..."
However, the FAA definition is a bit narrower than that of juvenile product marketing folks. For FAA purposes, a booster seat is defined as a seat that lacks an integral upper-body restraint system. If you have a seat that is called a booster by the mfr., but it has a full integrated seatback AND an integrated 5 pt. harness that you are still using, you can use it on board a US-based commercial aircraft as long as it has the sticker certifying that it is approved for use on aircraft.

The sticker will have RED lettering, and the following text: "THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT.''

 

[all4fun]

To add to the pp, here's a link to the FAA's site for Child Restraint System (CRS):

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

Be sure the shoulder straps are properly adjusted and fasten the airplane seat belt around the CRS as tightly as possible.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using a CRS. The FAA recommends that a child weighing:

* Less than 20 pounds use a rear-facing CRS
* From 20 to 40 pounds use a forward-facing CRS
* More than 40 pounds use an airplane seat belt

While booster seats and harness vests enhance safety in vehicles, FAA prohibits passengers from bringing these types of devices on airplanes for use during taxi, take-off and landing. These devices should be checked as baggage. Also, supplemental lap restraints or "belly belts" are not approved for use in both airplanes and vehicles in the United States.

Since Bpb's use a vehicle's lap and shoulder belt to secure the child, and airplanes only have a lap belt, they cannot be used on airplanes.

hth! and have a great trip.