Do I really need a carseat?

[princesspiglet]

We are going next November. My DD is almost 3 and will be celebrating her 4th birthday when we go. She weighs 38 pounds now. She is also 38" tall. I know by the time we go next year, she will be in a booster seat. Am I required to take a booster seat for her on the airplane? We will be using ME, so we won't need the seat for anything except the flight. Does anyone know the rules regarding this?

TIA!

 

[beattyfamily]

We are going next November. My DD is almost 3 and will be celebrating her 4th birthday when we go. She weighs 38 pounds now. She is also 38" tall. I know by the time we go next year, she will be in a booster seat. Am I required to take a booster seat for her on the airplane? We will be using ME, so we won't need the seat for anything except the flight. Does anyone know the rules regarding this?

TIA!

No you do not need a carseat/booster seat for the airplane ride. They have no requirements when it comes to carseats/booster seats except whatever is mentioned on the airline's website about being FAA regulated.

I'd leave it home if I were you since you do not need it on the ME.

I did use a carseat when I flew when they were under 3 and I also had a rental car waiting for us. If I didn't have a rental car, I probably wouldn't bring one for the plane.

 

[Zoesmama03]

If she is in booster and not in 5 pt harness then she can NOT use her seat on the plane as they don't have shoulder belts.

Since you are taking ME you could leave it home.

 

[devmer]

As far as I know you don't need a carseat on the Disney transportation. If you are renting a car I know most places will rent you a carseat or booster seat. We did that in Hawaii for my DD5 & DS3 and it worked out really well.

 

[Goofyta]

Why can't you use a seat with a 5 point harness on an airplane? I looked at American's website and it didn't say anything about this. I was going to use a high back booster seat that has a 5 point harness, where you put the seat belt through the back of the seat, because it is lighter weight.

 

[Gillian]

Why can't you use a seat with a 5 point harness on an airplane? I looked at American's website and it didn't say anything about this. I was going to use a high back booster seat that has a 5 point harness, where you put the seat belt through the back of the seat, because it is lighter weight.

I believe the rule is that a booster MUST be the type with a 5 point harness! Like the one you have.

I am planning to take that kind for my 2 year old in December. With the harness it's just like a regular car seat. It's lighter than her Britax.

 

[Goofyta]

I believe the rule is that a booster MUST be the type with a 5 point harness! Like the one you have.

I am planning to take that kind for my 2 year old in December. With the harness it's just like a regular car seat. It's lighter than her Britax.

Oh, good!! Thanks!!

 

[ntburns22]

Check your booster seat on the side where all the info stickers are. It will say if it is approved to use on a plane. A flight attendant will most likely check your seat before you install it. My sister checks them all the time. My DD's booster can not be used but my son's carseat can.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

once she hits 40 pounds...she should be able to sit in the seat on her own. I believe FAA allows that (in their guidelines--there really is no hard core mandate that says children must have car seats) for kids over 40 pounds. Before then, if they are still in a car seat, it is suggested to use it.

Most boosters cannot be used on a plane. As someone said--the seat must have its own strap system. If you are using the airline seat belt to physically secure the child (as opposed to the seat)--then they need to be in the seat on their own.

If she isn't using the 5pt harness then you would check the booster
(check the manual---our booster was a car seat/booster convertible. The 5pt harness had to stop being used and the seat used as a booster using the should strap once the child hits a certain weight. I forget the number. But if the seat has this rule--they became endangered if use of the 5pt is continued).

 

[Goofyta]

Check your booster seat on the side where all the info stickers are. It will say if it is approved to use on a plane. A flight attendant will most likely check your seat before you install it. My sister checks them all the time. My DD's booster can not be used but my son's carseat can.

Thanks for the heads up, it is about 5 years old, so I will check it out.

 

[Windy City Heather]

I know that with my car seat I could not put the tray table down. That made eating, coloring and playing a little harder. Also, the car seat made it easier for my dd (2) to kick the seat in front of her. If I don't need the car seat for a car when I get where I am going, I don't take it.

 

[Jackson4]

We flew last week with my DD 3 years old and we did NOT bring her car seat!

 

[Zoesmama03]

Why can't you use a seat with a 5 point harness on an airplane? I looked at American's website and it didn't say anything about this. I was going to use a high back booster seat that has a 5 point harness, where you put the seat belt through the back of the seat, because it is lighter weight.

You can but if her child is 38" now and going in almost a year he/she will likely be 40 inches the height at which they usually outgrow that 5 pt harness. If they are not in the harness then the booster can not be used because of no shoulder belts on the plane. They will not let you use it on the plane.

 

[luv2playallday]

What would the car seat count as? A carry on?

 

[Zoesmama03]

It does NOT count as carry on. ATleast on the airline we are flying. Most I think do not count it as a carryon or anything.

 

[holden]

I just asked a flight attendant the same Q. She said our DD wouldn't need her carseat on the plane (DD's is 33" tall). We're getting one for the rental car, so I'm happily leaving it at home!