Do we have to have a carseat on the flight?

[MrsJ Henry]

We are looking into going back to WDW next spring and our toddler will be almost 3. Does anyone know if USAIR requires her to be in a car seat?
We wouldn't need one for the rest of the trip since we will be taking ME and then Disney transportation everyhwere.

 

[mamaLori05]

no, she doesn't need one. We went this past spring and my dd turned 3 while we were there. We didn't use one and it was fine. We told her it was just like the car and she had to keep her seat belt. We had no problems at all with it. I know some people will tell you that you should have one in case of turbulance or a crash, but in reality if the plane crashes, a car seat isn't going to help!! Anyway, the good news is no need to lug the car seat around!! Have a great trip!

 

[Wendybird55]

You can check with USAir, but I don't think it's mandatory to have a carseat on an airplane. Heck, they let you ride with your child on your lap!

If you purchased a seat for your child I think it's your choice if you bring a carseat or not. I asked on another thread about why some people prefer carseats on planes.

I am going with my 2yro and purchased him a seat. I don't need the carseat in Disney and was thinking of not bringing it on the plane - I'm sure he can sit fine in the seat. I got many responses from parents who flew with kids (this willb e my first time flying with my son) saying they felt safer having the car seat on the plane. Also many said that thier child felt more comfortable in their carseat and were used to staing put in it.

If you bring a carseat on an airline it needs to have a sticker on it that says it's federally approved fo car and air travel. Look around your car seat - sometimes it's on the bottom or side of the base.

I would love to hear from anyone who took a toddler (2-3) on a plane without a car seat. I'm curious to hear from the other side of the coin. I'm leaning towards taking the car seat and checked with my airline (Continental). Plus, from what others have said, in most cases airlines require a child in a car seat to be in a window seat.

 

[canadianmom2three]

When we went to disney last year we didn't bring our son's carseat since we were using magic express. I thought it was a nightmare without the carseat. He was soooo excited he would not sit still...yes he kept his seatbelt on, but he was wiggling all over the place, etc. I know if he was in his carseat he would have been asleep in 5 minutes (EARLY flight!) but he stayed awake the whole time fidgeting and was cranky by the time we landed. Next flight we took, I dragged the seat along, and it was WELL worth it, he was more comfortable, and I was happier too. I would say for the amount of work to take the seat (and ours is HEAVY!) I would definatley do it, it made the trip much better than without it.

 

[blana]

We took DS (2y 4 mo.) on Southwest without a carseat with no problems. Once the no seatbelt sign came off, we let him out of his seat, to pass between Mommy & daddy's laps when he got a little antsy. But for landing/takeoff, he sat just fine in his seat with the seatbelt. On the way back, he fell asleep before the plane took off, so we propped him up a little and still got him in his seat with the seat belt on.

 

[abdmom]

My ds will be 3 tomorrow! Have to go make that birthday cake!

He has flown about 10 times, including a couple of 10 hour trips to Hawaii. I haven't brought the car seat since he was about 18 months old. I check it with the rest of the luggage. When he was in the car seat on the plane, there was very little room for him between the seat and the seat in front of him. He was able to reach the tray table and put it up and down, up and down, up and down. If it was annoying to me, it must have been annoying to the person in front. He would cry when I told him no. Once he stopped that, he began to kick the seat in front - his feet were only a couple of inches from the seat in front, so he couldn't even stretch his legs.

Without the carseat, he sits just fine on the plane. He likes to do up his own seatbelt. We bring a DVD player with earphones for the plane and he will sit and watch it attentively. Although sometimes he wants to take the seatbelt off, he is generally pretty good about keeping it on. I think a lot of our success is the fact that he has two older siblings who are seasoned travelers. He sees that they sit nicely and keep themselves occupied during the flight, so he copies what they do. He is most happy if he can sit next to his sister who dotes on him and they watch the DVD player together.

At 2-5 years of age, it's always been more comfy for all of my 3 children to sit without the carseat. There's enough room in their seat that they are able to lie on the seat with their head in my lap if they are tired. Put their favorite blanket over them and it's just like being in their own bed. We keep the seatbelt on, of course. It's certainly more comfy than sitting in a carseat.

You are also correct, the car seat must be in the window seat. It's an obstruction for other passengers - in case of emergency, if a carseat is between a pax and the aisle, the pax might not be able to get out.

 

[Wendybird55]

OK here's my dilemma..

My son wil be almost 2 wehn we go to WDW. This will be his first airplane trip. We have an early morning flight (DS is usually an early riser).

My son is very active - he loves to run around. He will sit still to watch his favorite Disney DVDs. It takes toys, snacks and such to keep him still and quiet during church.

My initial thought was to not bring his carseat on the flight.
I figured I'd sit him in the middle seat with me on the aisle and my sister in the window seat so we both can keep him occupied (DH will be in aisle seat opposite me).
I am bringing his DVD player, cereal, and breakfast food. Plus amd already making a "toy" bag with new books and toys I see on sale or in dollar store. I am thinking if he gets tired he can lean on me and lay down in seat.

NOW with all the talk I hear about car seats adn how kids sleep easier in them and are more comfortable - I'm wondering if it's best to take the seat. With the car seat I'm not sure if he will be able to reach the pull out table to eat by himself or color or look at a book. But with the carseat he may sleep on the plane and I definatley know he will stay put in his seat.

What would you do?

 

[abdmom]

I found with a car seat, that the tray table is far too close to eat off of. It's more comfortable without the carseat if you want the tray table down.

I don't think the flight attendant would let you install a car seat in the center seat.

 

[frtchr]

It really depends on your kid. My DD HATES her car seat. She has gotten better about it in the last few months, but overall, it is her own personal hell. When we travelled at the end of April, I didn't take our car seat, but she flew with a CARES harness. She did GREAT. It was a million times better than when we flew in December and she screamed to get out of the car seat the whole time. She has never been one to sleep in her car seat, either, so I knew that the whole idea of the car seat wouldn't be comforting to her.

 

[Wendybird55]

In looking at the picture and description online i have one question. Does the strap that goes around the back of the seat get in the way of the tray or pouch of the person sitting behind my son?

My son is about 36" tall now and if this strap is positioned to be by his shoulers (as shown in the picture) where woyuld it go across the seat? I'm jsut wondering if it will get in the way of the person's tray behind him.

We're flying Continental Coach - 1 aisle with 3 seats on either side.

Thanks...

 

[monorailsilver]

I am also debating on bringing the car seat next month for my 2 yo (2 in March).* She is tall, or at least I think she is & around 35 inches, maybe a bit taller.I am the lucky one that gets to sit next to her while my dh sits behind us with our 7 & almost 5 yo.* He is going to have such a tough flight since we are on Jet Blue & my ds loves the Cartoon Network so his eyes will be glued to that.
So for those of you who have not flown with the car seat, can your 2/3 yo child see out the window with out stretching.* That is my only concern with the car seat on taking it or not.* If I know she can see out the window then I won't take it.* If I don't think she will then I will take it.* I have taken it for my other 2 on their first flights but once we land, I won't need it.

 

[all4fun]

Here's the deal - car seats are not required by the FAA but they are strongly encouraged for children under 40lbs (or 44lbs if using the new CARES harness). FAA site: Child Safety on Airplanes

Informational site with links to other sites: Airline Travel and Child Safety fyi: this site also has tips on installing a car seat on an airplane for those who are interested.

If you're using DME and disney transport, you will not need a car seat on the ground. We did this on our last trip and did not bring a seat for our almost 5yr old...we did end up needing at least a booster for him (he still rides in a 5pt at home) because one of our flights was canceled. I was kicking myself all the way to the hotel and back to the airport - riding in a van w/seat belts - because he was riding in just the seat belt which is very unsafe for a 40lbs child. It was a totally unplanned for event.

Wendybird, the faq on www.kidsflysafe.com addresses your question about the tray table and the CARES strap that goes around the back of the airplane seat.

If two adults are traveling together, you can put a front facing car seat in between them, but I don't think they'd allow a r/fing seat because it would block the window seat passenger from getting out of the aisle in an emergency. I do believe all three passengers have to be in the same party for the airline to allow the seat to be in the middle. We never tested this though - we just put the seat in the window seat since we didn't want to have to fuss over it, or be told to move it (and I wouldn't argue over something like that with an FA anyway).

hth

 

[Wendybird55]

Thanks so much all4fun! You are a wealth of information.
I really like the CARES harness in that it will do everything I need it to..It will keep my son safely in his seat while giving hime the room to put down the tray for his DVD player or books and I think he should also be able to fall asleep., maybe if I put the seat back a touch it would help.

And I bet DH will like the idea of not having to lug a carseat thru the airport. And I know we will get more than one use from it as we're already thinking of our Disney trip for next year!

I wonder if I can use it on the ME bus as well?? If I remember the ME buses have bucket seats and the strap should fit around the back of the seat and they should have seatbelts.

The 2 other people with my son will all be in the same party. If they let me put him in the middle seat - great - if not, it's not big deal for him to sit in the window. I will ask the Flight Attendants as we board.

Thanks again!

 

[jodifla]

We are looking into going back to WDW next spring and our toddler will be almost 3. Does anyone know if USAIR requires her to be in a car seat?
We wouldn't need one for the rest of the trip since we will be taking ME and then Disney transportation everyhwere.

We stopped using a car seat at 3 years old on the plane. No room for his legs, and it was a royal pain to drag around the airport when I was traveling alone.

 

[jodifla]

Here's the deal - car seats are not required by the FAA but they are strongly encouraged for children under 40lbs (or 44lbs if using the new CARES harness). FAA site: Child Safety on Airplanes

Informational site with links to other sites: Airline Travel and Child Safety fyi: this site also has tips on installing a car seat on an airplane for those who are interested.

If you're using DME and disney transport, you will not need a car seat on the ground. We did this on our last trip and did not bring a seat for our almost 5yr old...we did end up needing at least a booster for him (he still rides in a 5pt at home) because one of our flights was canceled. I was kicking myself all the way to the hotel and back to the airport - riding in a van w/seat belts - because he was riding in just the seat belt which is very unsafe for a 40lbs child. It was a totally unplanned for event.

Wendybird, the faq on www.kidsflysafe.com addresses your question about the tray table and the CARES strap that goes around the back of the airplane seat.

If two adults are traveling together, you can put a front facing car seat in between them, but I don't think they'd allow a r/fing seat because it would block the window seat passenger from getting out of the aisle in an emergency. I do believe all three passengers have to be in the same party for the airline to allow the seat to be in the middle. We never tested this though - we just put the seat in the window seat since we didn't want to have to fuss over it, or be told to move it (and I wouldn't argue over something like that with an FA anyway).

hth

Do you have an opinion on this product??

http://www.adolcebaby.com/carsetrve1.html

I was wondering if it's a viable alternative when traveling.

 

[NBFUN]

I bought my 18 month old DD a seat on the plane for next week and called to ask if she had to be in a carseat. We are doing ME so I will not need her carseat the whole week. I called Southwest yesterday and they told me that it is not required that she be in a car seat, its recommended, but not required. She said it is the parents choice. I think we are going to have her fly without the carseat.

I know we didn't have to buy her a seat, but my little princess likes her space!

 

[jodifla]

Thanks so much all4fun! You are a wealth of information.
I really like the CARES harness in that it will do everything I need it to..It will keep my son safely in his seat while giving hime the room to put down the tray for his DVD player or books and I think he should also be able to fall asleep., maybe if I put the seat back a touch it would help.

And I bet DH will like the idea of not having to lug a carseat thru the airport. And I know we will get more than one use from it as we're already thinking of our Disney trip for next year!

I wonder if I can use it on the ME bus as well?? If I remember the ME buses have bucket seats and the strap should fit around the back of the seat and they should have seatbelts.

The 2 other people with my son will all be in the same party. If they let me put him in the middle seat - great - if not, it's not big deal for him to sit in the window. I will ask the Flight Attendants as we board.

Thanks again!

There are no seat belts on ME....

 

[frtchr]

Wendy, I installed the CARES before the people behind us boarded, so I don't think it bothered them in the least. I leaned over, put the tray down, slid the strap over, and then put the tray back up. I don't think it interfered with the person's use of the table at all.

 

[all4fun]

Thanks so much all4fun! You are a wealth of information.
I really like the CARES harness in that it will do everything I need it to..It will keep my son safely in his seat while giving hime the room to put down the tray for his DVD player or books and I think he should also be able to fall asleep., maybe if I put the seat back a touch it would help.

And I bet DH will like the idea of not having to lug a carseat thru the airport. And I know we will get more than one use from it as we're already thinking of our Disney trip for next year!

I wonder if I can use it on the ME bus as well?? If I remember the ME buses have bucket seats and the strap should fit around the back of the seat and they should have seatbelts.

The 2 other people with my son will all be in the same party. If they let me put him in the middle seat - great - if not, it's not big deal for him to sit in the window. I will ask the Flight Attendants as we board.

Thanks again!

You're welcome.
Nope, can't use CARES on the bus. The busses don't have seatbelts at all. Even if they did, the CARES harness is only approved for use on an airplane. That is the one down side to this device. I'm sure you could put your ds between you and another in your party with the CARES harness. The only reason they have the rule about the window seat is because they don't want anyone to not be able to get out in an emergency, and the CARES harness won't prevent that.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Do you have an opinion on this product??

http://www.adolcebaby.com/carsetrve1.html

I was wondering if it's a viable alternative when traveling.

This isn't approved for FAA use, only cars...and depending on the vest, it may require an upper tether anchor in order to use it in a car.