How does it work with car seats and stroller on plane?

[i luv the duck]

DH and I are thinking about flying to WDW next year with our 3 children (17,10,2). We've never flown with a toddler before so we don't know how it works as far as car seats and stroller. Will someone please tell me how we go about booking flights and getting on/off plane with a car seat and stroller? Do we have to purchase a plane ticket for the 2 year old? Does the 2 year old need to be in the car seat during the flight? Do we check the stroller in or can we bring it on the plane? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Most airlines (probably all?) require a ticket for a child 2 or older. They do not have to be in a car seat. If you want to bring the car seat, you can check it. As far as the stroller, you can use it at the airport and check it at the gate.

 

[i luv the duck]

Most airlines (probably all?) require a ticket for a child 2 or older. They do not have to be in a car seat. If you want to bring the car seat, you can check it. As far as the stroller, you can use it at the airport and check it at the gate.

So I can't bring the car seat on the plane? I'm not sure I trust airport workers handling a car seat.

 

[Mamabun]

You should definitely check with your airline, but a 2 year old is often too old to be a lap child and will need his or her own seat, so you will need to buy a ticket for them.

You can gate check your stroller. Take it with you through security (you will have to take everything out of it, including your child, so don't 'pack' your stroller with stuff), and drive right down to the plane when you board. You will be given a tag and you just leave the stroller (again completely empty) right before you get on the plane.

You can ring your carseat on the plane and have your child sit in it throughout the flight. Many kids (and parents) find that the most comfortable and safest option. Most airlines do not require a carseat, and you can check the carseat as baggage, if you prefer.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

So I can't bring the car seat on the plane? I'm not sure I trust airport workers handling a car seat.

You can if you want. You would have to check with the airline for the specific requirements for where a child in a car seat can be seated.

 

[G719]

Your carseat must be approved for use on an airplane if the child will ride in it on the plane. There will be a sticker on the seat indicating this.

 

[bumbershoot]

Do we have to purchase a plane ticket for the 2 year old?

Yes.

Does the 2 year old need to be in the car seat during the flight?

No. They can be in a car seat but it’s not required.

Car seats can only be in the window seat and maybe middle. Not the aisle as it slows evacuation. Car seats can prevent the seat in front of you from reclining, and can bring kid-feet into kicking-that-seat range, so if traveling with another adult I HIGHLY recommend having one adult sit with the 2 year old and the other adult sit in front of the 2 year old, if using the car seat. That way the seat (and feet) are only bothering his parent.

Do we check the stroller in or can we bring it on the plane?

It doesn’t go in the cabin with you, but you can bring it through the airport then “gate check” it. That means they put a tag on it at the gate, you roll it down the ramp and leave it just before you board. Workers take it and load it into the cargo compartment of the plane.

And do that with the seat, too, if you don’t want to use the car seat on the plane. It lowers the chances of the seat being destroyed or dropped if it doesn’t have to go on conveyor belts through the whole airport to get to the plane.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Here is a great blog post about recommended car seats for use on airplanes. At the end of the blog, there are links to other entries about how to best install and use the seats as well as tips on how to get through the airport.

We flew seven flights w/ one or the other kid in a car seat and it definitely was a lot easier. They know that they have to sit in their seat, just like in the car, and you have a good chance of the white noise from the engines help them nap for the flight!

 

[i luv the duck]

Here is a great blog post about recommended car seats for use on airplanes. At the end of the blog, there are links to other entries about how to best install and use the seats as well as tips on how to get through the airport.

We flew seven flights w/ one or the other kid in a car seat and it definitely was a lot easier. They know that they have to sit in their seat, just like in the car, and you have a good chance of the white noise from the engines help them nap for the flight!

Thanks everyone, I'm so excited! Now we just have to WAIT (the hard part).

 

[coast2coastmickey]

Check with airline to see if 2 year old can be a lap child. Probably not though, so be prepared to buy a seat for that kid.

You can easily bring stroller and car seat; neither cost extra on most airlines.

To bring the car seat on the plane, the flight attendant will check to make sure it is FAA approved. We have a Chicco Keyfit 30 for our infant, and it says that it is FAA approved in very small red letters. I've found it makes their life easier when I point it out for them. I've never had to notify the airline when booking or anything before that point. Security just runs it through the machine, and the flight attendant just glances at the FAA approval verbiage.

The stroller can be gate checked. Same thing, nothing to do in advance. Just get a tag for it from the gate agent and leave it at the very end of the jetway right before you board the plane. It will be brought up to the same place when you deplane, so don't be in a rush to get off the plane.

Source: Me. I've flown 3 times with a kid less than 1 year old.

 

[scrapquitler]

So I can't bring the car seat on the plane? I'm not sure I trust airport workers handling a car seat.

You can (and in my opinion SHOULD) use the car seat on the plane for a two year old. You can gate check the stroller (you literally leave it right at the door of the plane when you board and pick it up right at the door of the plane when you arrive at your destination).

 

[tjmw2727]

Just to clarify a few things -

A 2 year old will be required to have a ticket on any/every airline.

The TSA and AAP strongly recommend infants and young children use a car seat on aircraft.

The wording on a "TSA approved" car seat doesn't actually mention the TSA - the wording will be:
"This restraint is certified for use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft"

Here is a good reference for using a car seat onboard :
http://thecarseatlady.com/before-you-fly-know-your-rights/

Gate checking the stroller is easy - just get a gate check tag when you get to your gate and attach to the stroller. Fold the stroller and leave it just outside the door of the aircraft as you board - be sure to take off any attachments and that it is securely folded. If it opens and the baggage handler can't fold it (some are tricky!) it could get damaged, I used a bungee cord on ours. When you arrive at your destination wait outside the door in the jetway for the stroller to be brought up there. You can bring the kids out to the gate area and have one person wait for the stroller.

 

[Carriemel]

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[VAfamily1998]

Even if you COULD have the 2 year old as a lap child (like if you are saying he is 2 for the sake of simplicity, but really he is 1 year, 11 months and 22 days), I would highly discourage it. Airplane seats are small and close together. Unless you (or your spouse) and your child are tiny, and your child is able to sit still as a statue for hours on end, you will be uncomfortable.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

So I can't bring the car seat on the plane? I'm not sure I trust airport workers handling a car seat.

Unless you have child in carseat on plane seat will have to go under plane in cargo hold same with stroller. If using on plane make sure it has plane use sticker and know where it is on seat

 

[i luv the duck]

Thanks everyone for all the advice.