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Confused about car seat regulations? Find baby car seat advice here.

Confused about car seat regulations? Find baby car seat advice here.

Car seats

Car seats on planes, help!!!

25 replies

luffbunny78 · 27/10/2016 08:11

We've just booked flights with easy jet, we'll be traveling with our 20mo and have paid for a seat as I can't see him sitting in my lap for 4 hours!!
We were told when booking we had to bring a car seat for him and after checking ours isn't FFA approved.
I'm not finding much out on the web that's helpful, does anyone have any experience of using car seats on planes and brands we should be looking at??

OP posts:

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Hassled · 27/10/2016 08:14

I have used car seats on planes many times (it's effectively been counted as the child's hand luggage) but no-one has ever been concerned about what type of seat it is and whether it's FFA approved (this was some years ago though). There's a sort of "good, you have a car seat" acknowledgement from the air steward and that's the extent of it.

AppleMagic · 27/10/2016 08:20

We have used a Diono radian rxt on planes before. It's a US model and FAA approved, I think the equivalent UK seat is the Diono radian 5.

I don't think any UK seats will be FAA approved though as that is a US standard. Easyjet website don't require FAA approval anyway, just that the seat is narrow enough (less than 42in) and is the appropriate size for your child.

If you don't have an appropriate car seat you can still use the spare seat when the seatbelt sign is not on.

Meadows76 · 27/10/2016 08:26

You don't HAVE to take a seat, it's optional.

AppleMagic · 27/10/2016 08:30

This says you can use a CARES harness during take off and landing instead which might be cheaper than buying a new car seat.

NapQueen · 27/10/2016 08:32

Which carseat do you have?

luffbunny78 · 27/10/2016 08:38

The customer service lady told my husband we had to take a car seat?? It's very confusing?
We have a Britax Roma so I think I'll measure it and give them a call back and double check.

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luffbunny78 · 27/10/2016 09:04

Just checked out seat and it's too wide
Anybody used a high backed booster seat? Could use DDs if that's an option???

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FruitCider · 27/10/2016 09:05

Buy a CARES harness, they are about £45. Otherwise put him on your lap for take off/landing.

welshweasel · 27/10/2016 14:40

If he's under 2 when you fly just put him on your lap for take off and landing. That way you can use the seat for him to play in/sit/lie across for the rest of the flight. Taking a car seat is actually quite restrictive. If you need one when you get to your destination you can take it in the hold for free.

Meadows76 · 27/10/2016 15:02

I'm not sure I see the point in taking a high back booster seat. You don't have to take a seat. You CAN choose to, but you are not obliged to do so. What would you want to drag a high backed booster seat (which you couldn't use for him in car) on holiday?

AppleMagic · 27/10/2016 16:09

You couldn't use a hbb during take off or landing and wouldn't be able to store it during those times so I don't think that would be an option. From Easyjet website: It has to be a seat with a 5 point harness (can use whole flight), a CARES harness (can use during take off and landing then use regular seatbelt during "cruise") or a booster cushion (can only use during cruise and counts as hand baggage, it has to be stowed during take off and landing).'

luffbunny78 · 27/10/2016 20:01

Thanks for all you replies, I got my husband to call back and I think he maybe misunderstood them yesterday, we don't have to take a seat after all!!!! Men!!!

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AliceMum09 · 27/10/2016 21:29

It would be a lot safer for your son if you did take a seat to use on the plane. I don't understand why European airlines make it so difficult, it's much easier in the USA where I believe it's a lot more common to use child seats on planes.

The Britax Prince and Britax Eclipse can both be used on planes as they have the option of being fitted with only a lap belt. I thought that was one of the requirements too, if you just use any old seat it's not going to be safe just fitted with a plane's lap belt, it has to be one that can be used with a lap belt in the car too.

Meadows76 · 27/10/2016 21:45

How is it safer to have a car seat?

NapQueen · 27/10/2016 21:56

Bad turbulence and the kids stays put in a safe seat.

AppleMagic · 27/10/2016 22:28

Alice I don't think that matters so much on the plane because you are only really using it for the 5 point harness in the case of turbulence, not a collision. It doesn't need to fit as securely as in a car. Isofix only would be a problem but so long as it fits with a seatbelt it's going to be better than just the airplane lap belt.

TeaPleaseBob · 28/10/2016 14:07

We use a Britain eclipse as our holiday car seat. Have used it on the plane (Ryanair) this year and last year then in hire car when we get on holiday. It's aircraft approved, designed to be fitted with just a lap belt (and standard 3 point belt)
It's fairly easy to fit in the plane, bit of a pain to carry into plane though so book seats close to back doors (can only use car seat on certain rows on Ryanair). My daughter has been great in car seat, doesn't ask to get up as used to being strapped in to seat, can sleep comfortably and I'm happier that she is safer

AppleMagic · 29/10/2016 02:59

It's worth checking the airlines rules before prebooking seats too. I knew they couldn't be in the exit rows but I didn't realise that here in the US they don't like them in the rows before or after exit rows either (I think in the case of an emergency evacuation they break those seats in to create more space around the exit).

HappyCamel · 29/10/2016 03:33

I've header used a seat. Even when we booked one for kids under 2. I just had them on my lap with the extra belt for take off, landing and turbulence.

HappyCamel · 29/10/2016 03:33

*never not header DYAC

DixieWishbone · 29/10/2016 03:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bonjovigirl · 29/10/2016 04:33

Same as TeaPleaseBob, we have a Britax Römer Eclipse as a holiday car seat. We have a Blulu canvas rucksack cover for it so it's easier to carry through airport.
We flew with it this half term (Easyjet) and used in airport transfer, day trips at our destination so was handy. One thing to note is that the onboard staff said it was only approved to be used in the window seat. I guess this is to minimise obstructions to passengers in event of an evacuation.
I'll definitely use it again on future flights- DC were more secure in it and better able to sleep.

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luffbunny78 · 29/10/2016 17:57

Think I'll have a look at getting an eclipse, it would be so much easier having him strapped in a nice comfy car seat

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DixieWishbone · 29/10/2016 19:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ella62 · 13/03/2017 12:01

Hi Luffbunny
Im wondering how you got on with having no car seat for 20 month old.
We have booked a seat for 18 month old with Easyjet and hoping not to take car seat.
Interesting to hear what cabin crew/check in were like....

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