Should I buy a seat on plane for my 20 month old?

[Jaime4004]

I would go with buying a seat and bringing a car seat. I flew with my then toddler twice. First time as a lap kid, he was squirmy and terrible, didn't want to sit on me for that long (3 hrs). Next time brought the car seat and he was totally fine in it, probably was used to being restrained in it. Only problem was it positioned his feet right at the seat in front of us. So anytime he moved his feet, he kicked the back of the seat in front of him. That guy was not happy. I tried to hold his feet still as much as I could (he wasn't kicking, just shifting positions as we all do) but it was a long flight. Would still do it again though...

 

[BigAlsGal]

I'd get him a seat and just use the good ole seat belt.

 

[KrazeeK120]

The safest place for him to be is in his car seat. Also, he is used to traveling in the car seat, so it may make the flight easier/more comfortable for him to be in his car seat, where he is used to sitting.

 

[epsmith921]

My son will be 18 months when we go next and there is no way I would not have gotten him a seat. We flew with him without a seat around 9 months and that was fine but he's so much more mobile now there's just no way.

We are also going to bring a car seat, but not his normal one. He normally rides in a clek foonf which is plenty narrow but it is heavy as all get out. So we bought a radian for my in laws anyway and will be borrowing it for the plane. Then we also don't have to uninstall his normal seat from our car.

He does really well in his seat, and we will have a rolling carryon anyway. With magical express, since our luggage will take some time to get to us I pack the essentials for the evening. Then I will strap the seat to the carryon bag that I was doing to have anyway.

 

[anonymousegirl]

You will also want to bring a copy of his birth certificate to verify he is under 24 months old. Without proof, gate agents can make you purchase a ticket.