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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To worry that there is no clear car seat policy for travelling with Monarch?

42 replies

RudeNot2 · 30/05/2014 05:09

I've spent £500+ on flights for 1 infant, 1 two year old toddler, myself and DP. I've got an AMSAFE CARES restraint but it's not clear if you can use these on a monarch flight. It looks like I will have to purchase a car seat for the toddler. Monarch are unable to pre-confirm which car seats are acceptable (but can confirm that "bucket type based car seats" are not. This leaves me in the position where I will have no Idea what's acceptable to them until I turn up at the boarding gate (with two fractious little people). Are there any car seats which are light And a good bet with most airlines? Or even foldable?

Wishing I had booked with a different airline as, added to this, monarch gets dreadful reviews online!

OP posts:

LIZS · 30/05/2014 08:42

I always thought it was more to contain the child than for safety.

ShergarAndSpies · 30/05/2014 08:43

We took and used a britax two way elite seat - used forward facing with 5 point harness.

Not with monarch but I emailed the airline for confirmation of guidelines and printed these off and took along with FAA guidelines.

It's still a bit of a new thing so you'll need to be prepared to strongly insist with check in / security / ground crew / boarding / stewardesses. But once they see that you know your stuff and won't give in easily, they tend to let you get on with it.

I may have also printed off copies of the official FAA / EU stickers on vinyl paper and stuck them onto the seat just to cover all bases. (Google images)

It was a hassle taking the seat but on a v long haul flight with an overactive toddler it was such a help and he slept really well in it. Also nice knowing we had a decent seat for use at destination.

PourquoiTuGachesTaVie · 30/05/2014 08:51

The 3 point seatbelt vs lap belt is surely more to do with having an improperly restrained car seat flying around the cabin the event of a rough landing or strong turbulence than in the event of a serious crash with no/few survivors.

BolshierAyraStark · 30/05/2014 09:11

Dunno about using a carseat on the plane-flown a fair bit & never seen this? But can state on the occasions I had the misfortune to fly Monarch they were shit & I now avoid them like the plague...

BillnTedsMostFeministAdventure · 30/05/2014 09:14

It's more common in the US, BAS.

SavoyCabbage · 30/05/2014 09:21

Loads of people take their car seats on planes.

GreenPetal94 · 30/05/2014 10:25

Car seats are for safety in car accidents. Plane accidents are rare but you are unlikely to increase chances of survival by using a car seat. So why bother, just strap the little ones in with the seatbelt to encourage them to stay in the seat.

BillnTedsMostFeministAdventure · 30/05/2014 12:03

If OP has bought a seat for an under two year old, they will only be able to sit in it for take off and landing if she has a recognised restraint.

chemenger · 30/05/2014 12:16

I have used a car seat on longhaul flights and it was definitely worthwhile, it was with BA and they were very helpful about identifying which seats were permitted. This was 15 years ago, so its not a new innovation. Toddler slept well in it and could be secured in it - she was used to relatively long car journeys in it so it was familiar and more comfortable than sitting and sleeping in the airline seat. Of course we also did a lot of walking round and round and round staring at people (sorry man with a beard, she was just interested).

Realitybitesyourbum · 30/05/2014 12:18

You don't need one for a plane! The two year old has her own seat and will sit in it for take off and landing and play on it during the flight. The baby will sit on your lap all the time as you haven't paid for a seat for it. I think you sound very confused! If you want to take one for hiring a car abroad that is not needed either as the car hire company will have them if you book them.

ShergarAndSpies · 30/05/2014 14:00

Those of you saying carseats on planes are unnecessary - have you seen the FAA (federal aviation authority) who recommend them as the safest way for a child 20 - 40lbs to travel on a plane.

Here:
www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/

Yes it's a new (ish) approach but if you do have an appropriate carseat, why wouldn't you use it?

ShergarAndSpies · 30/05/2014 14:04

Sorry above post was about forward facing carseats on planes.

Rear facing car seats are the safest way for a baby under 20lbs to travel although most airlines allow under 2s to be on your lap with a special baby belt or in a special basinett.

fluffyfanjo · 30/05/2014 14:25

I wouldn't bother with the car seat for the 2 year old as It'll be more hassle than its worth.

As for the baby,have you actually booked a seat for them ? if so then the car seat would probably be very useful, it can be a right PITA hold a little one on your lap for a few hours. But Be prepared to have to hold her/him on take off and landing if the crew request it as I'm not sure how secure the seat will be if its being held in by a lap belt.

OddFodd · 30/05/2014 20:21

Really, worry about something that's more likely to happen. Never cross a road for example.

BillnTedsMostFeministAdventure · 30/05/2014 20:30

I've used a car seat on a

BillnTedsMostFeministAdventure · 30/05/2014 20:31

I've used a car seat on a plane because it's convenient and comfortable for DC, not through safety paranoia...

OddFodd · 30/05/2014 20:43

That's a really good reason to use one BillnTed. Worrying about safety is bonkers

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