Carseat on plane for 3 year-old?

[shelly3girls]

At home we use a booster seat for our 3 year-old. She is pretty tall for just turning 3 (39"). At this moment we cannot find the five point harness straps for her seat since we normally just use the seatbelt. Do you think a 3 year-old is big enough to go without a carseat on the plane? Should I search high and low for the straps or should I just baggage check the booster for use in the rental car? I am concerned about her safety and would never do anything to endanger her. What is the recommended age for carseats on planes?

 

[NotUrsula]

Height doesn't matter; weight is what is important. If she is under 40#, the FAA recommends she ride in a carseat. However, if you can't find that 5-pt harness the point is moot; without it the seat cannot be used on an aircraft. (Whether it could be used even then is dependent on whether or not is has an FAA certification sticker; check the side frame.)

 

[shelly3girls]

Thanks! I will make sure I find the straps, the seat is FAA certified. DD is only 32 lbs. no where near the min. weight to go without a seat.

 

[Goof]

I would try to locate the straps. For the comfort and benefit of the child, she would be better off in the car seat that she is already use to and familiar with.

 

[castlegazer]

I can't believe I am about to say this as I am a total supporter of car seats for children when flying, but here goes: the 40 lb. weight check is only a recommendation. If you can't find the harness, she can still fly without a car seat. You can get those seatbelts pretty tight on the plane - she just will know she has to stay put and will be more tightly secured when she is in her own car seat.

 

[grammagail]

My 3 1/2 yo grandson recently went from a carseat to a booster seat. We questioned about bringing it along for the plane ride too. I kept reading it (carseat/booster) had to say it was approved for airlines.

We have looked high and low and not one carseat/booster I've come across says that. So - we just bought a booster we liked for the car.

I'm wondering now tho - will he be OK on the plane? He'll be about 40" by the time we leave in June.

 

[disneymom3]

Actually, though, height does matter. Not for the airplane ride, but for the carseat itself. If the highest position for the straps to come through is not above your child's shoulders, she is too tall to use it as a child restraint system and it should only be used as a belt positioner.

We recently returned from a trip during which my three, almost four year old rode with just the seatbelt in the plane. I don't like the idea, but he outweighs the weight limit on his old carseat and we didn't have a choice. If my child still fit in their 5 point harness, I would take it.