When traveling with children, should I bring their car seats on the plane?

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Eclipsepearl

I'm a former Flight Attendant who now flies a lot with my own three kids. I can totally support everything Little Angel Fire said!!! Great answer!

I only have to add some practical tips, since I fly between Europe and California about twice a year and only once didn't have the seat with me.

My youngest just completed her 6th round trip transatlantic and at 3 1/2, I brought along her car seat. Magic for getting her to sleep! She is a very active child and she was much more comfortable and settled in her familiar car seat. On our arrival, the airlines lost three of our four bags (they were returned two days later). If I had checked our seat, who knows if it would have been there but this time I had no worries about our 2 hour ride home. I had the car seat with me, strapped it in my husband's car and away we went safely!

If you're curious (especially since she's past 40lbs.) she sits in a Radian 65. I picked it because it's FAA approved and harnesses to 65lbs. The Radian 80 is even better...

Two year olds are too small for the lap belt and boosters, which should only be used after the 4th birthday, are never FAA approved. It has to be a hard-backed seat with an internal harness.

First check that your seat is FAA approved IF you are flying a U.S. airline (check with your non-American airline if not). Most car seats sold in the U.S. are approved.
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_childr...

I will admit that I've strapped down an unhappy little one more than once. Toddlers hate to be confined and simply don't understand that they have to be seated sometimes. Firmly anchored in, I could then consol them while we landed.

Not to scare you but there was recently a case where a family was off loaded because they couldn't keep their toddler strapped into the seat during take-off when it's required.

To get the seat through the airport, all sorts of gizmos are sold like this;
http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_k...

Some parents manage to bungee cord their seat to their stroller or make it fit inside. They also have backpacks for car seats, which would mean having your hands free.

I simply use a small metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord and it works great. I skip on the stroller and she can even ride in it (and she's 3 1/2). She usually prefers to walk and then I can put the carry-on bag(s) on it. It didn't cost me a thing since I already had the luggage cart and the bungee cord!

I'm taking a car seat while flying long-haul alone with three kids so it can be done! Do what works for you and practice at home before heading to the airport.

For the record, I have to point out that some foreign airlines wont allow car seats so they're not universally accepted. One low-cost Irish company bans them completely but in the U.S., it's your *right* to use an FAA approved seat if the child has a booked place.

By the way, car seats do NOT have to go by the window. This is true on some aircraft but if there are two aisles, you can put it in the center. Especially important if you are seated in the "bulkhead" seats. It can't block another passenger's access to the aisle, that's all.

For more information on flying with children from someone who has both done it and worked in the industry, I wrote an article a few years ago. I put it on a blog to share with other parents. Feel free to visit;
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

ImAPQler1

Actually - I see people strap their car seat into the airline seat all of the time. As long as it is not a smaller commuter plane. Normally the armrest folds up to give the extra room to do so.
So it is not so absurd after all.

kwistenbiebel

Talk with the company first, or check their site.
If your children have their own ticket, I do not think it will be a major problem.

skyhighfa

If you have a child under the age of two, you are permitted to let the child sit on your lap, but I highly advise that you buy a seat and bring a carseat.

Make sure your carseat is approved for airline use. You will see a label that states that it is. Also, it must have a stable bottom, stable back and a harness.

When strapping the carseat into the plane seat, place it in the window seat. This is the best way to prevent blocking egress in the case of an emergency.

littleangelfire81

It is not at all absurd to use your child's car seat on the plane! In fact, I consider it absurd to not if your child is 3 years old or younger. Do you know how flight attendants refer to lap babies/children? MISSILES! Because that's what they become in turblence, rough air, or landing problems. Flight attendants will give the count as "130 pax and 3 missiles". I certainly don't want my child becoming a missile!

You aren't required to, but its a really good idea to take one. Kids do better when they have their seat on the plane, same as in the car. They are less likely to want to run around and such since they are used to being put in a car seat whenever traveling. And believe it are not, they are safer. Should turbulence happen, they are less likely to be injured or scared.

Another thing to consider: will you be doing any traveling by car once you get to your destination? Then you will need the car seat anyway, or you will have to purchase one when you get there. Do not rely on a car seat from a rental company! Its dangerous. Car seats expire 6 years after the date of manufacture, and are not safe if not taken care of properly. It must never have been in a wreck, never dropped, include all the original pieces and manual, and be installed correctly, something the rental staff will not help you with. On that note, remember too, that it is better NOT to check car seats as luggage. Think of how your luggage gets banged around - well, if your car seat gets banged around, it is no longer safe to use. A car seat is only made to withstand being dropped/in an accident once! And if it gets dropped and you don't know about it, you unwittingly put your child in danger. Better all around to take the seat on the plane.

And the airline is very unlikely to replace the seat if they do damage it. Just check to make sure that your car seat is FAA approved for aircraft use, should say so somewhere on a label on the seat.

rgs3girls

Yes because you'll need them assuming you rent a car.

Leyla

if u want to.
if u change your mind u can check the carseat in at the gate, no charge.
it's a pain in the ***, though.
try not too, it's just as safe to fly with kid in your lap as long as
they are under 2yrs.

Patrick F

Yes - we did when we could not be guaranteed of proper car seats at the other end.

Usually put them in with oversized baggage. Done it heaps of times.

caligirl@<3

Many airlines will accept carseats into "checked luggage". It is smart to bring them on a trip with you but I hope you are not planning to strap the c. seats to the plane seats. That would be a bit absurd.

ronaldotryn2bgr8

how old? if they can sit up by themselves...no.

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