Plane w/ (2) 2 year olds

[Loops]

We are flying to Disney in April with our 2 year old twin boys and 6 year old daughter. For the boys, are they required by the airline to have a car seat on the plane? We just figured they would sit in the plane seat with the lap belt.

I really don't want to lug 2 car seats along. The transportation company we are going to use will provide car seats for the ride to our resort.

 

[beattyfamily]

We are flying to Disney in April with our 2 year old twin boys and 6 year old daughter. For the boys, are they required by the airline to have a car seat on the plane? We just figured they would sit in the plane seat with the lap belt.

I really don't want to lug 2 car seats along. The transportation company we are going to use will provide car seats for the ride to our resort.

No, they are not required by law to have car seats.

 

[Loops]

Thanks.

My next question is....for those of you that flew with a 2 year old that sat in the planes seat, how did your child do?

 

[beattyfamily]

Thanks.

My next question is....for those of you that flew with a 2 year old that sat in the planes seat, how did your child do?

I've done both and actually do prefer the carseat. That way they feel like they are in the car and have no choice but to sit there and behave. If they have the freedom of the seatbelt, they will be constantly trying to take it off and walk around. That was our experience.

We rent a car though so that is why we always bring one. One time, when my youngest was 2 though, we went to Paris and we didn't need the carseat in Paris so we didn't bring it and she was playing musical chairs and constantly taking her seatbelt off. The carseat is MUCH better but a pain to have if you don't have a rental car.

 

[Colinsmom]

You are not required to have a car seat, but they are required to stay in their seat with the seat belt on when the "fasten seat belt" light is on. This may be a few minutes, but can also be 30 minutes or even an hour or longer depending on your flight (ground delays, turbulence, etc.). That would be a huge stretch for my 2 year old, honestly.

 

[tw1nsmom]

When my twins were 2 1/2 we took them to wdw without their carseats. They did fine on the plane. We told them that the seatbelts were a "law" just like their carseats were at home. I think they actually did better without their seats, because I could raise the seat arm and they could snuggle up against me (or DH) while still being belted in. BUT, only you know your children. If you do have one that's a little more challenging, I would seat him with alone with the parent that has the most control over him. I would have the other parent take the other twin and your six year old.

 

[Loops]

Thanks for the replies.

Tw1nsmom....thanks for the advice...I already thought about who will sit with Dad who will sit with Mom. I'm also going to pack snacks and some activities for them to keep them occupied.

We made a trip to Disney when they were 1....I'm probably going to get slammed by this but we sat them on our laps, they did pretty well....pretty much slept most of the flight.

 

[estherhead]

I hate lugging a carseat along. I have girls close together and take a double stroller and a diaper bag, we check everything else. It's been a piece of cake. The important thing with my girls has always been stickers and food. If I have lots of snacks, drinks, and stickers and paper they are quiet and happy, on my lap or in their own seat. DH likes them to have their own seat though, as it is crowded for a 200+ man with a 30lb child in a coach seat.

Esther

 

[CEDmom]

If you could manage it I'd strongly recommend taking the car seats. Most kids are comfortable sitting in their seats for long stretches whereas a regular plane seat just might not prove to be that comfortable. Plus you have the added benefit of the added safety in the event of turbulence etc. We've flown with our DD who's now 5 many times and we still take her seat (she's under 40lb so still needs the 5pt harness) and will continue until she moves into a booster seat. She really likes being up high enough to see what's going on and to use the tray table.

 

[alloyd1170]

My son has flown several times and weve never had a problem. As an infant, I held him in my lap, and when he was older, he sat in his seat. He often falls alseep, especially if we run him around the airport prior boarding (some airports have play areas for kids). What is a real life saver is a portable dvd player with headphones (you could have one and get a splitter so that both boys could listen with headphones). I charge it up before hand, and if its a long flight I turn down the brightness of the screen to conserve the battery. I bring along plenty of movies, a few small toys, books, snacks and a drink to help cope with ear pressure. My son loves airplanes (and trains, construction trucks, etc) so he is easily entertained from the time we get to the airport to the time we take off.

alison

 

[JerseyGirl]

I'm bringing all new stuff, new coloring book and crayons, books, stickers, etc. That way they're not tired of it as quickly. I'm bringing the car seats also...they will have window seats and they'll be able to see out the window better.

 

[Sheaboys]

We have flown many times with the boys, without the carseats. They have all done fine, sitting in their seats with the seatbelts on. They never tried to get out or walk around. They sit, they eat their snacks, their drinks, watch their DVD player or listen to their CD players. The only time they get up is to use the bathroom with DH. We are flying again in April and the boys will be 6, 4 and 2.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

If you decide to take the car seats try to snag the bulk head. Otherwise the car seats bring the kids closer to the seats in front of them. After take-off that person in front is going to put their seat back putting that person right in your kid's face. It happened to my DD once and she was miserable. I ended up having her sit on my lap the entire time because my seat leaned back. The gentleman in front of me had kids and was kind enough not to put his seat back. However the woman in front of my child didn't care that she was screaming and kept turning around glaring at me because my DD (18 months at the time) kept kicking her seat. I apologized and tried to explain why my daughter was freaking out but she didn't care (actually told me that). We've been lucky from then on out to get the bulk head but you usually have to arrive very early at the airport and pray that no one else with a greater need bumps you from the seats.

Good Luck!

 

[Colinsmom]

If you decide to take the car seats try to snag the bulk head. Otherwise the car seats bring the kids closer to the seats in front of them.

The downside of the bulkhead is that you can't lift the armrests, so not all car seats will fit in bulkhead seats (Britax won't, for example).