Do we have to bring a carseat and a carrier in a plane for a 2 yr old and an infant?

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ZURDITA

First answer this question: Do you want to protect your child in the most favorable way? Then ask yourself if it's worth the hassle to take a carset and carrier with you. I think it is....

GMoney

The FAA strongly recommends child safety seats for all children on flights until the child weighs at least 40 pounds.

moni6674

Yes. Please make sure to check with the airline. Some airlines allow you to have a child that is a "lap" child meaning that the child is allowed on board because they will be sitting in your lap. The safest bet though is to pay for a separate seat and bring on a booster or infant carrier.

mad06

I work for the airlines...carriers are not necessary for any children or infants. Although they are not required, they are highly recommended for safety (particularly for your lap child). If you do decide to bring one, you must make sure there is a visible sticker which states that the carrier is FAA approved for air travel.

petal

It's best to check with the airline you're flying with.
Some airlines provide a similar seat if they are told before hand. Some will not allow you to take your own.

Shutterbug

Not necessary, but recommended unless you feel she could handle the plain lap strap in the plane

Be Honest

For sure for the 2 year old but ask the airlines about the infant.

Mallory

Nope. Don't bring one.

we had to, imnfant if under 6 months was ok in lap, but todd had to have car seat

Haven17

Call a travel agency. They can tell you.

dcgirl

Yes, you will need the child-seat for the toddler, and you should consider buying a childfare for the infant. Unrestrained babies are not protected one bit in a crash. It is not worth saving a few dollars to take the chance that your baby may be injured. And I have seen lap-babies bounce out of mom's laps on 2 flights in the last year; neither was a crash or emergency landing, just rough air.

rainfingers

No, car seats are optional on airplanes. If you need a car seat in Philly you might want to use it on the plane too, but otherwise I wouldn't bother.

Chele

I would check airline regulations ... so much changes with each day that you need to be sure. I hate to sound like the "doom maker" but if there were problems in flight you'd have to think about how easy it may or may not be to hold that baby and the toddler. It's easy enough to say there's rarely a problem but it still is possible.

Ying

We flew from the midwest to portland, OR with our two toddlers (15 months & 2.5 years at the time and didn't bring a carseat on the plane, partially because my son sat right in his seat and my daughter was on my husband's lap. We also flew on southwest and there were quite a few other parents that didn't bring a carseat on either (we were lucky it was such a child friendly flight)

Go with what you're comfortable with.

bagoftwix

You used to be able to check the carseat, but using it in the plane makes it a heck of a lot easier to deal with a 2-year old on a plane!

Toddlers on a plane...movie title?

starla_1974

That would be up to you. Neither one is required however, they say it is much safer to have them in an approved carseat for flying. With my experience, I found that a toddler does not like it very much being strapped into a seat. If you have one that accomodates both ages, bring it along. And a little advice for your toddler, I bring bubbles with me, as they aren't messy and keep them entertained. good luck!

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