Preschooler carseat on Airplane question?

[staci]

My ds is 4.5 (dob 10/2003). He is about 37-38 lbs, and 42 inches tall. At home in our van, he rides in a Regent.

My dd is 20 months. In our van she rides in a Boulevard.

I do NOT want to take her Boulevard with (too heavy) and the Regent is too big for the plane so we cannot take that.

I am planning on bringing an extra seat (a cosco scenera) for dd to use on the plane, and in the rental car. We have another scenera, but ds has outgrown it by height so he cannot use that.

We have a booster seat also, but those cannot be used on the plane.

I am wanting to bring the booster seat for the rental (we are flying into Sanford so we have to rent). This means he will NOT be in a seat on the airplane (flying Allegiant).

The Allegiant agent said they need to be in a carseat until 40 lbs. We dont HAVE a carseat for him that will be compatible for airplanes. Is the carseat until 40 lbs thing LAW or a recommendation?

TIA!

 

[NotUrsula]

It is a recommendation from the FAA, and is not required by the Federal rules for safe operation of aircraft.

However, there is nothing to stop an individual airline from requiring that you use a carseat for a child who is <40#. If Allegiant says that THEY are requiring you to use a seat, then you either use one or don't fly.

 

[susykt4]

Ugh! I can't even IMAGINE having a 4.5 yr old in a carseat on a plane! The first and only time I had my son in a carseat on a plane he was 2.5 and all he did the entire trip was kick the seat in front of us. It was 3 hours of living hell! I don't even know how a "big kid" would fit in that tiny space with a carseat!

We were allowed to take boosters onto the plane as one of our carry-ons and place them in the overhead bin last time we flew/rented. It was no big deal. (we took the backs off the boosters for the trip, though.)

 

[Minniemouse07]

We just flew down in December and ds (turned 2yo during the trip and 30lbs at the time) was rear facing in his Boulevard for the plane ride.

Does your ds fit in the Boulevard? I would bring the Scenera and the Boulevard if he does. The Boulevard was a breeze in the airport and installed in the plane no problem. We use a Samsonite Micromover to pull the seat through the airport and then collapse the cart and toss it in a backpack once on the plane.

We didn't rent a car in Orlando (used DME) so we only took the car seat with us to use on the plane.

Another option is a Nautilus. They only have them at select Walmarts right now but it harnesses to 65lbs and then becomes a high back booster and then a low back booster to 100lbs...they run about $150. The Nautilus sits lower than the Boulevard so it may be more comfortable on the plane for your ds.

If you prefer to have your 4.5yo sit in a car seat, then I would do it. Generally by 4.5yo they could be fine in the airplane's lap belt, and I haven't ever heard of an airline forcing parents to use a child seat.

FWIW, ds is now over the 33lbs rear facing limit on his Boulevard and it had to be replaced after a car crash. He is now sitting in a Regent in one car and a Nautilus in the other. Part of the reason I didn't go w/ two Regents was so ds has something to use when we fly. Both seats are really great!

 

[_queenie_]

It's just a recommendation. My DD3.5's measurements are (were, she's had a slight spurt since) nearly identical to your DS's and we had no problem on Jet Blue two weeks ago. Though it is safer to ride in a carseat in the event of a collison, your DS is so close to 40lbs that he should be fine (also because he's over four years of age). The reason why we haven't brought one in a while is because my DH had major back surgery a year and half ago and it's just another way to cut down on our load (we checked a booster though). Don't flame me for wanting convenience over safety, it's my first priority, but in my scenario, I also have to worry about my DH's safety.

If you are concerned about not having a carseat, you could look into getting a CARES. I heard on an old thread that you can rent one on Ebay.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's possible the people on the Transportation thread might know more about this.

I KNOW it's not a law, because no carseat of any kind is required by law or FAA for ANY kiddo on an airplane.

I might call Allegiant back, talk to different reps, b/c it might have been a misunderstanding on that rep's part.

 

[staci]

I might call Allegiant back, talk to different reps, b/c it might have been a misunderstanding on that rep's part.

Well, she actually just said it when I called to purchase a seat for my 20 month old - she said, "since you bought her a seat she will need to be in a carseat until she weights 40 lbs".

I didnt even think about it when she said it that my son hadnt reached that milestone yet - I thought of it after I got off the phone. So I didnt really ask for any clarification, as I was planning on bringing dd a seat anyway (She is AWFUL if she is not strapped down )

I cant find specifics on their website so I sent them an email before I posted this so I can get something in writing - havent heard anything back though.

Thanks for all the replies so far everyone. I have actually never had ds in the booster so the ride to WDW will be a first. I just prefer to have him in a 5pt as long as possible. I bought the booster mainly for the neighbor kid who we sometimes take to preschool with us because I was tired of always having to borrow his from his mom. But being 4.5, I just cant see ds being required to be in a carseat for air travel...... However I obviously want to make sure we can get on the plane!

 

[Melissa_E]

I was checking on their website and no where does it state that you must use a carseat. It tells you what types of seats are allowed and what type of harness is allowed, but it doesn't specifically state: If your child is under 40 pounds you must use a car seat.

http://www.allegiantair.com/aaFAQ.php#2

BTW, if he is within a pound or two of 40 pounds, I highly doubt they will weigh him before you board the plane.

 

[tanyaandallie]

We traveled in Jan with my dd. She was 40 lbs, 4.5, no seat on the plane. Honestly, I don't think the flight attendant will have any clue if your ds is 40 lbs or not. They are not likely to pull out a scale and tell you that you have to have a carseat. When we traveled we were probably the only people on the entire plane with a child in a carseat.

 

[laughinplace199]

My kids used carseats on planes up until age 3. After that, they just used the seatbelt. If I had to bring a carseat for DS on every trip until he weighed 40 lbs, I'd go crazy - he just hit 40 pounds last summer, when he turned 6!

 

[brymolmom]

I've had my kids on airplanes with no carseats a bunch of times - different ages. I had lap children at under 2 with no seat. I've had kids in seats around the 2 year old range. I just brought my kids without seats using the lap belt only and they are 4 and 5 years old.

You can do whatever you feel most comfortable with - buy a new seat, go without (especially for the older one), buy that 5 point harness thing that can connect to the airplane seat - whatever works best for you!

 

[skoi]

We just flew back from China with two 3 1/2 year olds and no car seats. We didn't have any problems. In fact, on the long flight, it might have been better without them. No one batted an eye or asked, and our son is very small for his age. You can check one so you don't have to lug it (we've done this in the past), or rent them with your car, as well.

Have a great trip.
Julie

 

[jessica52877]

DS is 5 1/2 and will have his carseat. We also have the nautilus (for air travel) and regent for everyday (and some others!). He is 42 lbs and 46 inches tall and enjoys having it on the plane. No issue with room.

 

[frtchr]

The car seat is my DD's own personal hell! We took it on the plane the first time, but I won't lug it through the airport again considering she wouldn't stay in it. We bought a CARES, and I plan to use that when we go to Disney next month. It's a 5 point, so I feel good about that.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

So I'm still curious, does anyone have knowledge about Allegiant's specific policies, and if they mesh with what the OP was told? The website is maddeningly unspecific (they all are, though...I, until last week, thought that the wording on SW's site meant that after 40 pounds they COULD NOT USE a carseat anymore).

Anyone know?

 

[staci]

So I'm still curious, does anyone have knowledge about Allegiant's specific policies, and if they mesh with what the OP was told? The website is maddeningly unspecific (they all are, though...I, until last week, thought that the wording on SW's site meant that after 40 pounds they COULD NOT USE a carseat anymore).

Anyone know?

I still have an email out to them to see if I can get something in writing, but I havent heard anything back yet. I will let you all know!

 

[boatbum13]

Like a PP said, I travel with my DD3 on airplanes using a CARES (check it out at kidsflysafe.com). It's WAY easier than lugging the car seat through the airport, especially since I usually travel alone with her. It's easy to install too. Those are the "pros." The cons are that it's relatively expensive - about $80 or so. And my daughter can get out of it in about 2 seconds. But she can get out of her car seat too. The older she gets though, the easier it is for me to explain to her that she HAS to stay in her seatbelt (especially if she wants to watch Dora the Explorer on the iPod - my saving grace! )

Good luck!

 

[staci]

Here is the answer I got from Allegiant - so looks like we are good to go!

Hello,

Yes, your 4.5 year old will be able to fly with out a car seat. It is always recommended for children to fly in car seats but since he has outgrown a car seat it is not required. If you have anymore questions please do not hesitate to ask.

Thank You,
Jewel Parker

Customer Care
Allegiant Air
Phone: 702-505-8888 Option 2
Fax: 702-430-3282
http://www.allegiantair.com
"Bring the Smile Back to Flying"


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sent: Mon 3/17/2008 12:24 PM
To: Reservations Center
Subject: Question regarding car seats on your planes


We have already purchased tickets for an upcoming trip, including my 1 year old daughter (we bought her a seat) and my 4.5 year old son.

When booking, the agent specified that since we bought my daughter a seat, she would need to be in a carseat (up to 40 lbs).

She will of course be in a carseat. But after I hung up the phone, I realized my 4.5 year old has not yet passed the 40 lbs mark. However, due to height, he has outgrown his small carseat (we do have a Britax Regent but those are not FAA approved as they are too large).

Will my 4.5 year old be allowed to fly just sitting in the plane seat? What are your regulations on that?

Thank you!

 

[Minniemouse07]

Staci...take your email address out of your post...don't want any bots picking it up and spamming you for the rest of your life!

 

[staci]

Staci...take your email address out of your post...don't want any bots picking it up and spamming you for the rest of your life!

Thanks! I just c&p it in, and didnt even realize the address was there!