childcare seats on Virgin flights

[nattyk]

Hi

Flying out with Vigrin on the 11th June, and was reading on their website about childcare seats for under 24months, I have booked one for my son who will be 15mts when we fly and my friends little boy who will be just under 2, has anyone used them before, are they worth it? (they both have their own seats)

I doubt we will get them to sit still anyway, but just wonder if these were more like car seats???

Any advise please.
thanks
Nathalie

 

[bubblefactory]

Hi Nathalie,

Yes we have used one of these back in Oct 02 when my DD was 18mth. They are a booster cushion type seat which enables the child to sit and wear the seatbelt safely. When you check in and are allocated seats they ask which seat you would like it fitting in as they have to be fitted by the crew. they are brilliant especially at sleep / mealtimes when you can then hopefully relax instead of having two meals and an infant on your knee !

enjoy your trip,

Alec

 

[Peebee]

Hi Nathalie,

We have one of these booked for our little boy who will turn 1-year old during the trip, and managed to find a picture of the 'care chair' on the 'net:

Paul

 

[lindylou2_2002]

Hi Paul

Please can you come back and tell us how your son gets on with the sit as it doesn't look that comfatable and We have also booked one for our DD for september. Maybe we will just take a car seat instead.

Thanks Lindy

 

[Tiggernut_jadie]

I may be wrong but you didn't used to be able to TAKE a car seat - you had to use a virgin one or have the child on your lap with a safety harness - perhaps someone with younger kids can tell you more!

 

[allie5]

Never seen a car seat in the cabin for use on a seat. Some parents take the "baby nest" type (Group 0) for very tiny babies to sleep in, but I dont think they allow you bring one of the larger seats into the cabin (though we DO always take our own, but are stored in the hold for travel). Phone Virgin Customer Services to be sure on their policy.

We have always used the extender seat belts and the skycots for our two. This year my son will be a tad over two when we go, and I think he would be safest on my lap for take off and landing with the extender belt. Im darn sure he could escape from that dinky little Virgin seat!!

Allie

 

[Peebee]

I think I recall reading that Virgin don't allow car seats to be used on the plane - something to do with the airline accepting responsibility for how the seats are fitted?

I'll certainly report back on how well Ryan gets on with the seat, and hopefully grab a picture or two if we can.

Paul

 

[bubblefactory]

The seat is more comfortable than it looks - it's made from firm cushion pads. Our DD was 18mnth and she was fine. She slept in it, watched TV etc. and they are much safer than the harness on the adult knee for take off / landing.

I would recommend them for any infant too big for the skycots.

Alec

 

[Peebee]

Hi everyone, just a quick update on how we got on with the child seat recently on Virgin. We didn't get a chance to take a photo on the plane, but the seat was exactly like the picture I posted previously.

First thing to report is that some of the Virgin cabin crew aren't exactly well-practised in installing the seat! The guy who did so on the way out managed to leave a hard edge protruding from the middle of the seat that would have been quite painful to sit on for 8 hours. It was fairly straightforward to fix, but it's worth checking before putting a child in.

Ryan seemed to find the seat itself very comfy, and happily watched Shrek on the way out whilst chewing a breadstick and knocking back raisins On the return flight he slept on and off for about 4 or 5 hours with the seat reclined - the adult seat that is, the care chair 'bends' with it.

Must just say the crew member looking after us on the way back was superb, offering to hold off on one of our meals so we could feed Ryan, and offering to heat baby food and bottles. And he knew how to fit the chair properly

Will definitely book the chair again for the trip next April - along with a skycot for the new arrival.

Paul

 

[nattyk]

Hey Paul,

Thanks for the update, we are off next Fri and am really glad we have booked this seat for Joshua (14mts old) when we put him in his carseat he is very good, so really hoping this will have the same effect for some of the flight!!

Will let you know how we get on.....

Nat

 

[Peebee]

Hi Nathalie,

Fingers crossed that Joshua enjoys the seat as much as Ryan did.

Hope you have a great first holiday with the kids - it really will put a wonderful new perspective on Disney for you

Oh, and by the way, congrats on your upcoming addition to the family (I saw your posting on the community board). DW (Helen) is 13 weeks gone with our 2nd, so perhaps there is something in the Woking water lately

Paul

 

[nattyk]

thanks Paul - I am 19wks and have my 20wk scan next Wed, just before we go on hol Are you having baby at St Peters or Frimley? We are at Frimley.

Will let you know how we get on with seat when we get back

Cheers
Nat

 

[Peebee]

Hope the scan goes well Nat. We're actually at the Royal Surrey at Guildford. St Peters didn't have the best reputation last time (although i'm told it's improved greatly now) and that was the other option we were given - they did a great job last time with Ryan, so we're more than happy to go back.

It sounds like the gap between Joshua and the new baby will be about 18 months or so, which is going to be the same with Ryan and his brother or sister. Ah, just when I thought I was getting the hang of this parenthood lark....

Paul