Carseats on airplane opinion, please

[PrincessAnnabell]

Last time we flew, we had two 4 yr olds and did not use carseats on the airplane. This time we will have a 5, 2 and 1 yr old. This is only our 2 nd time flying. What are the rules and recommendations for carseats? How do we get kids, bags and carseats through the airport?

 

[Gracie09]

As long as your car seats are FAA approved and the appropriate size for you children (ie they aren't too big or too small for them) you are allowed to use them. Most airlines require car seats go next to the window but ymmv if it's your family in the row.
Some people loosen the straps and carry them like a back pack. Some bungee them to rolling suitcases or luggage cart.

 

[djmeredith]

This is a very relevant topic today because of the United flight that encountered unexpected turbulence inflight. News sources are reporting that a non restrained "lap child" flew out of its parents arms and landed two rows today on that United flight. Fortunately, this child was not injured! Can you imagine the horror of having your child ripped from your arms and watching him/her literally flying through the air?

As a former flight attendant, I recommend every child ride in an FAA approved safety seat. Parents need to realize that an airplane is a moving vehicle that travels at speeds on the ground between 150-180 MPH (depending on the model). Most parents would never allow their child to ride in a car going 150 MPH, especially without being restrained in a car seat, but they don't think twice about it when on an aircraft.

Safety seats are best even for children over 2 because the lap belts on airplanes are not designed to safely restrain small children. They can even cause abdominal injuries to small children in the event of an emergency. That's why we were trained to place pillows between the seat belt and child in the event of a "planned emergency." Every flight attendant and pilot I know recommend safety seats for children. The only reason the FAA doesn't require them is because the airlines have lobbied successfully to prevent it because they fear loss of business.

Most U.S. 5 point harness type car seats are also FAA approved, but double check the safety label to be sure your model is before dragging it to the airport. As far as getting through the airport, many airports have electric carts that can be used by families in your situation. Just remember to tip the driver.

 

[egesicki]

Last time we flew, we had two 4 yr olds and did not use carseats on the airplane. This time we will have a 5, 2 and 1 yr old. This is only our 2 nd time flying. What are the rules and recommendations for carseats? How do we get kids, bags and carseats through the airport?

Last year we flew with our then 1 1/2 yr old and we brought our carseat on the plane. There is probably a sticker underneath somewhere, or consult your manual to check FAA approval. We were going to be driving, and DS is a wiggler so even though it was one more thing to lug around, it made sense for us. Thank heaven the airlines allow families travelling with small children extra time to board!

 

[Pamnkevin]

This is a very relevant topic today because of the United flight that encountered unexpected turbulence inflight. News sources are reporting that a non restrained "lap child" flew out of its parents arms and landed two rows today on that United flight. Fortunately, this child was not injured! Can you imagine the horror of having your child ripped from your arms and watching him/her literally flying through the air? As a former flight attendant, I recommend every child ride in an FAA approved safety seat. Parents need to realize that an airplane is a moving vehicle that travels at speeds on the ground between 150-180 MPH (depending on the model). Most parents would never allow their child to ride in a car going 150 MPH, especially without being restrained in a car seat, but they don't think twice about it when on an aircraft. Safety seats are best even for children over 2 because the lap belts on airplanes are not designed to safely restrain small children. They can even cause abdominal injuries to small children in the event of an emergency. That's why we were trained to place pillows between the seat belt and child in the event of a "planned emergency." Every flight attendant and pilot I know recommend safety seats for children. The only reason the FAA doesn't require them is because the airlines have lobbied successfully to prevent it because they fear loss of business. Most U.S. 5 point harness type car seats are also FAA approved, but double check the safety label to be sure your model is before dragging it to the airport. As far as getting through the airport, many airports have electric carts that can be used by families in your situation. Just remember to tip the driver.

My girl will be 3 1/2 yrs old when we travel, just over 40lbs and about 39inches tall. Would you recommend we take a car seat?

 

[mrsp1030]

We bought a backpack car seat bag and love it. We also have a gogobaby that you can attach to the car seat and pull through the airport. We had both when we needed two seats. Now we only need one and prefer the backpack carrier. We ordered it off amazon.

 

[eangel12]

We always take our carseats for the boys. Our boys will be 4 and 2 during this trip. We use the Gogo Baby Travelmate. Makes carrying two carseats super simple. We simply roll them through the airport, pop them into seats and then put the boys into their seats.

We did this on our last trip when my oldest son was 21 months and he fell asleep on the way down and way back. It was heaven!! Haha.

We take our carseats for safety and comfort for our kids.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

just remember that carseats with FAA sticker are okay but booster seats, high back or lowback are not. seats must have attached belts, ones that use seatbelts are not okay

 

[hammie59]

We flew to Disney when my dd was 11 mths. Her car seat was a Britax Marathon and we had trouble buckling it to the seat. Had to ask for a seatbelt extender. We were told she had to be in the window seat in case of an evacuation situation. We had a car seat travel bag, but at one point just carried the baby through the airport and put the car seat on the stroller (it was rather large). I felt better buying her a seat for safety's sake, but also, I had a more enjoyable flight since in the car seat she slept most of the flight.

 

[nadira36]

If you don't need a carseat on arrival, look into a cares harness. They're airline approved, and just some belts and buckles so easy to haul. We use it b/c we've had issues being unable to buckle the carseat up properly. We purchase seats for all our children. Though be prepared, not all flight attendants understand best safety practice. We've been threatened with being kicked off the flight b/c we refused to hold our child in our arms, vs safely buckling the child into a paid for seat...

 

[Gracie09]

Also practice putting the seats in with a belt and not latch. We realized we never did that. And when you do it on the plane, flip the belt. It makes it easier to open it on the other side

 

[bumbershoot]

My girl will be 3 1/2 yrs old when we travel, just over 40lbs and about 39inches tall. Would you recommend we take a car seat?

Since she said the following, I would assume she would say yes: "Safety seats are best even for children over 2 because the lap belts on airplanes are not designed to safely restrain small children. They can even cause abdominal injuries to small children in the event of an emergency. "

However, once my son was a bit older and he had traveled a few times and I knew that he would stay put (and we were walking on to a nearly full flight after just having our flight cancelled and we were all moved to this one and I was imagining dealing with the carseat and not knocking into anyone's heads when I'm only 5'3"), I gate checked (to be picked up on the ramp) his seat and never looked back. I'm not just sure he was as young as your kids, though.

 

[djmeredith]

My girl will be 3 1/2 yrs old when we travel, just over 40lbs and about 39inches tall. Would you recommend we take a car seat?

Yes. If they still use a five point harness in the car, I would recommend it on the plane.

 

[SmallWorld71]

My girl will be 3 1/2 yrs old when we travel, just over 40lbs and about 39inches tall. Would you recommend we take a car seat?

Personally, I had ditched the car seats on the plane at this age. I did use them when they were younger to keep them in their seats, but by 3 1/2 they were fine staying seated with the regular belt. My oldest was actually using a booster by then (he was a very tall kid, at 18 he's 6'4" and growing!).

 

[rajahfan7]

My dad the pilot always says yes.

 

[Twice_as_Nice]

We use the Cares Harness system and LOVE it. I can't imagine lugging around our car seat when we are there with everything else we have to bring.

http://kidsflysafe.com/

 

[luvmy2babies]

We use the Cares Harness system and LOVE it. I can't imagine lugging around our car seat when we are there with everything else we have to bring.

http://kidsflysafe.com/

I rented one of these the last time we flew and used Magical Express which was the first time my son was big enough to use it. I travel alone with my 2 children. After 2 previous flights lugging his car seat with everything else, this was such a relief. And no worries about him kicking the seat in front of him.

 

[Lolsmum]

For a 3 year old who isn't incredibly small I'd not take a car seat on the plane, at least not in coach. There is almost no way that there won't be issues with kicking the seat in front and actually being pretty squished if the person in front leans back.

I did like the CARES harness with my son. My daughter, however, worked out that she could slide out the bottom and made something of a game of it, driving me nuts. When I tightened it, she scared us both by getting all the way out except her head. She never slept on flights back then and we flew UK to either the Midwest or west coast then. Horrible.

 

[Twice_as_Nice]

For a 3 year old who isn't incredibly small I'd not take a car seat on the plane, at least not in coach. There is almost no way that there won't be issues with kicking the seat in front and actually being pretty squished if the person in front leans back.

I did like the CARES harness with my son. My daughter, however, worked out that she could slide out the bottom and made something of a game of it, driving me nuts. When I tightened it, she scared us both by getting all the way out except her head. She never slept on flights back then and we flew UK to either the Midwest or west coast then. Horrible.

The lack of the crotch belt is annoying on the CARES I agree, I figure out an easy fix though. I got some of that rubbery like foam drawer liner stuff from the dollar store and put a pad of it under his bum. It worked perfectly he couldn't slip around.

 

[luvmy2babies]

The lack of the crotch belt is annoying on the CARES I agree, I figure out an easy fix though. I got some of that rubbery like foam drawer liner stuff from the dollar store and put a pad of it under his bum. It worked perfectly he couldn't slip around.

Yep, the lady I rented ours from recommends doing this. It worked for my son too.