first time flying with the kids

[mommyoftwo08]

This is our first time flying with our children (ages 2 and 5). I'm hoping to be able to bring their booster seats on the plane and use them in the rental car while down there. Does anyone know if a booster seat is allowed on the plane and if so do we have to check it in or count it as our carry on?

Thanks for your help!

 

[LittleMissMagic]

They allow car seats (and I'm assuming booster seats, though your child probably won't need one) on the plane for the child to ride in. You can also check carseats - since airlines have recently begun charging for checked luggage, I'm not sure whether or not there is a fee, but I'm assuming there would be. However, carseats are probably too big to carry on. I wouldn't recommend attempting it.

If you have strollers, though, you can take them with you through the airport and leave them at the gate, and they'll store them for you and have them out at the gate when you get off.

I recommend bringing a small blanket for your children to sit on or have them wear long pants... I remember airplane seats being quite uncomfortable on sensitive little legs.

Have a great flight!

 

[GoofyFairie]

We lugged 2 booster seats through the airport and were not allowed touse them. If we rent a car again we will just rent the seats. We had to store them over head and it was hard to find the room. I would imagine that they would charge you to check them just like anything else. I am hoping next trip we can just pay a service to pick us up at the airport and take us back. Here's to dreaming! Have a great trip!

 

[all4fun]

This is our first time flying with our children (ages 2 and 5). I'm hoping to be able to bring their booster seats on the plane and use them in the rental car while down there. Does anyone know if a booster seat is allowed on the plane and if so do we have to check it in or count it as our carry on?

Thanks for your help!

The FAA only allows car seats with a hard plastic shell and their own internal 5pt harness to be used on board airplanes. "Boosters" that do not have their own harness are only intended to "boost" a child up so that a lap & shoulder belt will fit them properly. Airlines only have lap belts so a regular booster won't do them any good on a plane. In addition, there is the CARES harness that can be used for children 22-44lbs - it is a harness that is used in conjuction with the airplane lap belt and is the only non-car seat option approved by the FAA.

Look on your car seats - usually on the side - for a white sticker with the following wording:

Make sure your CRS is government approved and has "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" printed on it. Otherwise, you may be asked to check the CRS as baggage.

Make sure a harness-type restraint is approved and has "FAA Approved in Accordance with 14CFR 21.305(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only" on it.

That is from the FAA Child Safety on Airplanes site. You can pretty much ignore the tip about making sure your car seat is less than 16" wide. We have taken seats on board that were up to 18-1/2" wide, and they fit, although I usually had to leave the arm rest up (no biggy).

This site also has information on why taking a CRS on board a plane is recommended. At the bottom, there are some installation tips I found helpful as well. I would definitely recommend taking a CRS on board for the 2yr old. If your 5yr old is in a booster seat, you will have to check it. My 5yr old still rides in a 5pt harness at home, but it is not airline approved, so he just rode in the airplane seat belt and did just fine. He is more comfortable in a car seat though. We have a Ride Safer Travel Vest so that is what we used in the rental car instead of a booster seat.

hth