does a 3 year old need a carseat on the plane?

[rain74]

We are flying midwest airlines and are bringing a 10 month old and a nearly three year old with us. We purchased seats for both. The ten month old will be in his car seat, but we're wondering if we should also bring a car seat for the older child. Midwest said we do not have to bring a car seat for him, but just wondering what most of you would do. Will my nearly three year old be okay on the plane without a car seat. Lugging two carseats at the airport doesn't sound like fun at all. TIA to all those who can offer some advice!

 

[the kabuki]

The youngest age my kids have ever flown is 2 yrs. Never brought a car seat for them. Matter of fact, until I read about it on these boards, I didn't know people brought them on for kids that were out of the carrier type ones(under 6 months).
Mine never had any problems without them.

 

[kpossible]

We traveled last summer with our 5yo, almost 3 yo, and 4month old. We did not bring a car seat or booster for our almost 3 or 5 y/o on the plane. I too was unsure if we should bring a car seat for the middle child but we checked it and she seemed fine sitting with her lap belt on. The baby did great in her car seat. Good for you for getting a seat for your baby. It makes things safer and easier. Have a good flight.

 

[k_k_100]

We always take dd's car seat on the plane with us (she is also 3). It would be a nightmare to fly w/out it. She is used to sitting in it - when she sits in a regular plane seat it is all so new - she just wants to stand, then sit, then stand .... you get the picture.

You also will have the seat when you arrive at your destination. Seats from rental companies are notorious for being nasty. Make sure your seat is FAA compliant.

 

[Tara]

DS is 3 and we've flown with him about 20 times now. He's always had his own seat, but our last trip (over the holidays in December) is the first time we checked the car seat. To be honest, the only reason we even considered it was because we'd switched from a Roundabout to a Marathon since our previous flight, and I thought it might be tough to lug it through the airport and get it installed on smaller planes. I'm a stickler for safety (which is why he's always had his own seat even when the airline didn't require it), but I felt he was safe buckled in with a lap belt. YMMV, of course.

It isn't necessary for a child over 2 to have a car seat, though.

 

[robinb]

Bring the car seat for the trip to/from the airport, but you may want to reconsider using it on the plane. The car seat gives most 3 year olds just enough of a boost to kick the seat in front of them.

 

[bkrusen]

The FAA says that if your child weighs less than 40 pounds that they are safer in their carseat on the plane than just using the lap belt. More than 40 pounds only use the airplane seat belt. I got this from the FAA website a few years ago.

 

[nygrl]

i have to agree with robinb a 3 year old in a car seat is a nightmare for the people in front of them!! we just flew with my 3 year old on a 6 hour flight and he was not in a car seat and he was fine. he knew that he had to keep his seat belt on for the flight. we did check his seat so we would have it with us for the car.

 

[tjmw2727]

We stopped using the CSR in the air when the girls were about 3. By this time the benefits of the CSR decrease substantially. (I am talking air travel not car, just ftr) Three's are usually old enough to understand they need to sit and leave the lap belt on. By 3ish they are usualy uncomfortable in the CSR on the plane vs the car and as others have mentioned, too close to the seat in front. Mine loved to color (try color wonder!) so having the tray in front was a lifesaver - most CSR's will prevent the child from using the tray.

For those with 2's and small 3's that want to use the CSR, make sure it is approved for airline use, is not to wide for the seat, usually 17-18 inches and has an integrated harness. Booster seats without the harness are never allowed.

For seat kickers, have one parent sit in front of the "kicking" child. My dh and older dd would sit in the row in front of us so dd was in back of dh. We then switched for the return trip. This way if you have a kicker they are kicking mom or dad and not ruining someone elses day. We also removed shoes to lessen the blow!

If you do decide not to use the CSR in flight BRU has several styles of great bags to use when checking the CSR. My sil has one that can be used as a backpack or even rolled via handle, I wish they had one when my dd's were younger!

TJ

 

[robinb]

For seat kickers, have one parent sit in front of the "kicking" child. My dh and older dd would sit in the row in front of us so dd was in back of dh. We then switched for the return trip. This way if you have a kicker they are kicking mom or dad and not ruining someone elses day. We also removed shoes to lessen the blow!

Good idea! I don't know why I didn't think about that.

The other problem with a car seat is that the tray table doesn't always come down all the way since the car seat gets in the way. You really want that tray table accessable with a 3 year old!

 

[rain74]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I guess we will just check in his carseat and not take it with us. He is a KICKER! While in the car, he kicks the back of DH's seat constantly. And, he has been complaining about having to use his car seat in the car and wants to use the "big people" seat belt. So, I think it will be a treat for him to be able to use the lap belt on the plane. Thanks again!

 

[homedad]

Best of luck to you, one last point. We've done it both and DS(4) loves to have his regular "seat" he can see out of the window better and he not under the seat or constantly looking over the back(very busy child). He has flown about a dozen times and now its car seat, DVD's and the most pleasant flight since before kids. Now if DD(2) would only settle down...............PS he will figure the latch on the seat belt in the first 3 minutes and may or may not wear it..........

 

[cwnhokie]

I'm glad there is one person who says they use a carseat for their 4 year old on the plane. We are flying with DS2 and DS4 and I think I am going to try putting them both in their seats. Since the plane is a new experience and DS4 is very active, the carseat will give him some comfort and a reinforcement that moving around is not an option. We are also flying at nap time, so hopefully the familiarity of the carseat will let them fall asleep. I think I will try to put one of us in front of at least one of them though. How do I find out if our carseats are FAA approved?

 

[Colinsmom]

Look for a sticker on the side of the seat that says that it is approved for use on airplanes. I don't remember the exact wording...

 

[ZanneMarie]

When we flew with our then 2 & 3 year old boys we had them both in car seats. It was a bit of a pain lugging them around but I felt that if they should be in a carset in a car they should be in a plane. Also felt it would reinforce the 'no moving about and playing' idea-same as in the car. Kicking of the seat in front of them had been worked on and eliminated in the car so that was not a concern.

For moving the seats easily between gates and to luggage carousel etc. we brought a folding luggage rack/cart and a couple bungee cords. We sat one on the cart like it would be in a seat and the other upside down and opposite on top of it -so they L'd together (did that makes sense?) and bungee corded them to the cart. This made moving about much easier.

 

[robinb]

Kicking of the seat in front of them had been worked on and eliminated in the car so that was not a concern.

Just because your child doesn't kick the seat in the car doesn't mean they won't kick the seat in an airplane. I know this from experience

We also used a luggage cart to carry our car seats through the terminal. We would also bungee our coats to the stack. We still use a luggage cart for our carry-ons. The electronics bag and my hushand's PC can get pretty heavy when you have to walk to "close in" Gate 92 BFE.

 

[tjmw2727]

I think its a personal decision and although we stopped at about three if you have a smaller child or just want to continue I don't see any reason not to. I might start considering not using the seat when a child reaches about 40-42" as that seems to be when they run out of leg room. Jet Blue and AA have a bit more leg room, JB esp in rows 14 and back. It also depends on the pitch of the seat so the comfort of the child can very depending on the aircraft.

Your child will probably not have use of the tray table and for me that was a huge consideration as my dd's love to have snacks on it and color.

With an older child (3+) I would take the seat on board and give it a try. If your child is to big then you can always gate check the seat and go without, at least you will have it for ground transportation.

Remeber, if you are flying with more than one in a CSR remember that the CSR must be in the window seat so you may have to split up, one parent with each child.

Again look for the sticker on the back that verifies the seat is approved for airline travel - and make sure it is not much wider than 17" maybe 18".

For more information and details on air travel with and withoug a CSR check out the transportation board. Lots of great ideas and advice from folks who travel frequently.

TJ

 

[Brina]

we stopped using the carseat on the plane with our boys when they turned 4. It wasn't exactly planned - we were on a ski trip. On the outward bound flight they were in their carseats. On the return trip I had a broken collarbone. I upgraded to first class and took a pain pill. DH was in coach with the two boys. It just seemed like too much to handle two marathons, 2 boys plus carry-on bags with just one adult. all of our flights since then have actually been with just one adult, so we have checked their seats. When I took them to visit my mother last summer at age 4.5, they were actually upset not to have their seats on the plane.

 

[cinderkay]

All of these ideas are great for carseats on the plane. I have three kids under the age of 4 and only two adults. This sounds as if the oldest at 4 would have to go without a seat so she can sit with a parent. If you have a child with out a seat can you request a rental car with built in carseats?

 

[Nini]

My dd3 is now in her booster w/back. What this means is that in order for it to be effective, she must have the shoulder strap in use...they don't have those on airplanes last I flew!! She will be sitting (like a big girl) directly in the plane's seat assigned to her. Since she is no longer in the baby car seats, there is really no point in lugging a seat around that is unuseable on an airplane.