Graco Booster on plane?

[jadyson]

Has anyone used the full size booster seat on a plane? My 14 month old loves this seat and we really want to use it for our trip. I don't even know if they are FAA approved or not. I think they are as long as you use the harness system.
Anyone have any info on this?


Can't believe we leave in six days!! I better get packing!

 

[gillis95]

I don't recall specifics but I looked up the FAA website on travel w/ infants and went to my airline carriers website reagrding their policy and I remember 1 of them mentioning no booster seats (I think). Like I said..can't remember exactly but I would get the info from the horses mouth and visits those 2 sites and print a copy if it is allowed if some airline steward gives you some hassle. Your airline might have additional rules than the FAA. I think Delta's site had specifics on some lap harness that they did not allow but no mention on FAA's site.

 

[Rapunsel]

I have read many posts about booster seats.. The best thing to do is look for the FAA sticker on the seat. Read the instruction manual and find out where it says that it is ok and keep it handy.. I have never had any problems using my booster seat... As long as it is a 5 point harness one. A lap best is not suitable as the child is not restrained properly. Also the booster seat that just had a 'bump' in the front and you use the lap belt underneath is not suitable because the child can fly out of it in a crash.. I have seen it happen.

If you are really worried about it call the airlines.. Mostly they think that the parent or guardian knows waht they are doing.. Also if you walk on the plane with a flustered look like the child is driving you crazy.. They don't usually give you a problem..


Good luck and have a fun trip... We'll be there in 11 days!

 

[safetymom]

If your son is only 14 months old he shouldn't be using a booster but a full size car seat. His body is not developed enough to be safe in a booster.

Booster seats are not approved for use in an airplane.

 

[jadyson]

This is a high-back full size booster seat with a 5 point harness system. It is intended for children beginning at 25 pounds and one year of age. He is perfectly safe in this car seat. We not only tested him in 12 different seats at Babies R us with a trained salesperson (exhausting Saturday afternoon) but also went off the best suited for him by Consumer reports.
You need not worry about his safety.
I'll have to contact Continental and find out their official policy on this.

 

[safetymom]

jadyson, I spent many years as a child passsenger safety consultant. I was trying to help you and others.

I would be interested to know what booster you are using because the lists I am looking at show 30 pounds as the lowest weight to start using a booster seat.

http://www.carseat.org/Legal/FAA-AC91-62A.pdf

I suggest if anyone has any questions about car seat usage in the car or in the air go to www.carseat.org

 

[jadyson]

I stand corrected, this seat can be used by little ones 20 pounds or more.
This is direct from Graco's website:

Recommended Use

The Ultra CarGo youth booster car seat is to be used forward-facing only. When using the Ultra CarGo youth booster car seat with its harness, the car seat may be used by children 20 to 40 lbs and between 27 and 43 inches tall. When using the Treasured CarGo youth booster car seat without its harnesss, as a belt positioning booster, the car seat may be used by children 30 to 100 lbs and between 35 and 54 inches tall. In order to use the Ultra CarGo youth booster car seat without its harnesss the child must be able to sit upright unassisted.

 

[safetymom]

I suggest not being in a hurry to use it as a booster seat. Many child passenger organizations recommend waiting until at least 30 pounds before using a booster. Also 14 monts is young for a booster seat.

I suggest for anyone interested check out the Amer. Academy of Peds. or Safety Belt Safe USA.

www.carseat.org
www.aap.org

 

[jadyson]

Thanks for your concern.
He is actually 15+ months old (6/22/02-time flies by so quickly) and 28 pounds.
I am quite comfortable with him in this seat, now if I could only get my answer from Continental customer care...

 

[tigger2on]

I used a similar one for my daughter and have been able to use it on airplanes to Florida and to the UK/ Europe. If you are using the 5 point harness system, it is considered a car seat as it is attached from behind to the actual pplane/ car's seat. Then the child is restrained with a seperate harness attached to the actual seat. It is only considered a booster seat when the child is to big to fit into the 5 point harness and has to use a shoulder belt to hold both them and the seat in place.
If you are using it as a carseat with the 5 point harness and it is an approved model, than you can take it on the plane. Since there aren't any shoulder straps on a plane, they do not allow booster seat.
We have used both our Aplpha Omega and a Graco one on the plane. Both safety seats from 20 - 80lbs.
I hope this helps you.... and maybe this will make more sense to those of you who think you are using a booster seat too soon when it is actually still used as a car seat!
Good luck with the airline and have a great trip

 

[summerrluvv]

I don't think Continental will be able to tell you over the phone if you can use the seat. You need to look on the actual car seat and see if it has an "FAA Approved" sticker on it. If it doesn't...you can't take it. The flight attendant will look at it again when you board to see if it has the sticker, if it doesn't you will be asked to check it.

 

[Chess]

I agree with tigger2on. As long as you are using the 5 point restraint and therefore using it as a carseat and not what people think of as a booster seat you should be fine. We used a carseat/booster seat with a 5 point restraint on SWA several years ago and had no problem.

You could also take it and if they do not allow it on check it as luggage (as long as you don't mind him flying with just a seatbelt). At least you would have it at the other end of the flight for the car ride. But I'm assuming it would be acceptable as long as it is not wider then the seats on the plane.