Car seat on plane?

Question

Can I take my childs car seat on the plane for him? He is one and a half.

Answer 1

Yes you can, but it has to be a carseat approved for aircraft.  If you choose to do this, you will also have to purchase a full price ticket for your baby.  The other option is, since he is under two, you can fly him for free if he sits on your lap.  I know it can get difficult to hold him for so long, but it might be worth the extra $300 or more saved to do it.

Answer 2

It depends on the nationality of the company you're flying. Usually you can and it is the only way to fly safely with your child.

I'm a former Flight Attendant and I flew for 2 U.S. companies. If you're American, you're in luck. If you purchase a seat for your child and bring a FAA approved car seat, it can't be refused.

Children under age 2 are allowed to fly in their parents' laps without any protection because air travel itself is so safe that there is little chance of anything going wrong. Once your toddler starts to move and walk, comfort can be questionable!

Most car seats sold in the U.S. are FAA approved so you can probably bring the one you already have.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_childr...

If you haven't bought a ticket for him, bring the car seat anyway and see if you can get an empty seat to place it in.

If you don't have a seat for him, request it at check-in. Ask if the flight is full, and if not, they can "block" the seat next to you, only using it if they really need it. They often do this for families.

Bring the seat to the gate, even if they are unsure that you'll get a seat. This way, if you don't manage it, they will "gate check" your seat, sending it down with the strollers and wheelchairs. This is gentlier than checking it in at the desk.

You will probably need a car seat at your destination so avoid checking it in as baggage. This risks damage and loss.

If you are flying a non-U.S. company, see the information for your airline. If you search with the name of the airline, followed by "children", that will usually give you the right page. Be aware that if your seat is not from the country of the airline, you may run into problems using it onboard. Some countries, like the U.K. require that the seat face forward. I have no idea why they have this illogical and potientially dangerous rule. I flew a low-cost Irish company which actually banned all car seats.

To get through the airport, they sell all sorts of gizmos like these;

http://www.gogobabyz.com/products/gogo_k...

http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-...

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/osa/...

By the way, I'm not promoting any of those sites or products and make sure your brand of seat will fit anything you buy. They're not universal!



Some people also manage to use bungee cords to tie their seat to the stroller (make sure it doesn't tip over). I simply use a small metal luggage cart with an extra bungee cord and it works great. Play with your various options.

I fly alone with all three of my children transatlantically about twice a year and we always bring a car seat. It honestly isn't that difficult and it's really been a sanity-saver for me!

Your child will not only be safer but more settled and comfortable in his own, familiar seat. I both observed this as a Flight Attendant and experienced it as a mom myself.

The following are just general tips for flying with a toddler;

For entertainment, get him a new toy, anything and it doesn't have to be expensive. Keep it and give it to him once you're on the plane. My son at that age liked anything with wheels. Once, I simply had a package of plastic animals. Kept him busy for ages!

I actually don't recommend a portable DVD player *unless* he can watch it without sound. I doubt he'll wear the headphones but try it at home. Be sure to recharge it fully and bring the recharger. Some have exchangable batteries but they often have to be ordered separately.

I found that stickers, coloring stuff and books were better at occupying them at this age. No one will mind if you read to him. Bring books.

Just some other small tips;

-Bring at least one change of clothes

-Bring way more diapers than you think you'll need

-Learn to change him standing up (don't try to fit him on those tiny babychangers and toddlers hate to lie down in strange places)

-Bring an empty sippy cup to fill during the services. This will prevent spills in the air.

-Get up and move around with him but keep an eye out. Those carts the F/A's use are the perfect height for hiding little ones

-Bring snacks. Don't fret security. I've never had anything taken away (yes, water but not snacks) and that's the only risk. If you have something not allowed, they simply remove the item. No scenes, no speeches, no arrests!

-Try to sit in a bulkhead seat so that there's no one in front of you

-Bring slippers, especially if you're not in the bulkhead!

It's actually a myth that children need to suck on something for take-off and landing. I rarely saw it in my 13 years as a Flight Attendant and I have never, ever done anything special with them for take-offs and landings. If he's awake and is willing to drink something, go for it but please don't wake him to do this task.

ENT specialists simply recommend that the child is awake for landing;

http://www.entcda.com/AAOHNSF/earsandalt...

The delicate time is not during take-off or landing/touchdown but at the *top of descent*. This is usually 40 minutes to an hour before landing and everyone's ears have to reverse the pressurization. I can confirm that when I worked, if any passengers had ear problems, this was the time. Not just children either! They actualy felt *better* as we got closer to landing.

The BEST way to avoid ear issues is to take your little guy to the doctor a few days before flying. My son was good at getting symptomless ear infections. Make sure yours' doesn't have one of those! The doctor will look in his ears and make sure they're clear and infection-free. Healthy ears can handle pressurization changes.

About 8 years ago, I wrote an article on the whole subject of flying with children. I later put it on a blog to share with other parents who have in turn, sent me in their tips. There is a lot of information on the net but most is written by people who have never worked for the airlines themselves and I could tell!

Please feel free to visit;

http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com

Have a good flight!

Answer 3

Yes, you can.  

I am happy to hear that you plan on using a car seat for your child during the flight.

Airlines recommend children under 40lbs have their own seat with a child safety device - a CRS (Child Restraint System - otherwise known as a car seat) - because it is safe for the child (especially during turbulence), makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, will help your child sleep, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit.

In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use. Almost all car seats pass this requirement. Here is a picture of what the sticker looks like: http://jamiehassen79.angelfire.com/flyin...

There is also a new device that is approved by the FAA for airline use ONLY. It is called CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) and costs $75. It weighs 1 pound, is certified for all phases of flight (taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing), adjusts to fit ALL size airplane seats, and is approved for kids 22–44 lbs. If you don't want to be bothered by taking a car seat, and especially if you do a lot of traveling, then this is another very handy device. http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were each 2 months (now 8&6, and 5 months). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children on any of the flights.

I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules and regulations for the US, EU, UK, and Australia, offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/f...

If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Answer 4

Yes you can, and good for you for wanting to do so! Its the only way to safely take your child on an airplane. To do so, you will need to purchase a ticket for your child.

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.

Also - if you are planning on having your baby as a lap baby, you should know the truth of what can really happen, check the links below. Flight attendants refer to lap babies as MISSILES!!!! That's right, b/c missiles is what they become when there is heavy turbulence or other problems or rough flights. They give the count as "127 pax (passengers) and 3 missiles". Is a missile what you want your baby to be?

Answer 5

Possibly, but you will probably have to buy a ticket for the seat the car seat will have to sit in.

Contact the airline and they can tell you because all airlines have their own rules.