Car seats on the plane

[tid]

Flying to the States soon and have booked DD (17 mos) her own seat. Last time we lucked out and got bulkhead seats and she was small enough to use the sky cot, but this time I'm considering taking the car seat which will fasten into the plane seat.

Has anyone done this? Last time there were several toddlers in car seats on the plane, but it seemed like another bulky thing to carry. Not sure whether the benefits outweigh the bulkiness!

Have any MN-ers tried this? I'm interested in your experiences!

Are you paying for her?

Usually children under 2 travel free on the premise that they won't occupy a seat but sit on the parental lap?

Or couldn't you face that for a longer flight?

We travelled 5h flight when dd was 15m, got bulkhead seats and instead of a skycot they fixed a 'thing' which looked like a cross between a deckchair and a carseat onto the skycot fixings. It was extremely useful and very comfortable.

The disadvantage in a car seat (from my research for that flight) is that, unless it's one approved by that airline for that particular aeroplane, she would have had to sit on my lap for take-off and landing in any case. Certainly during mealtimes it was much easier having dd in the 'thing'. On our return trip we didn't get the bulkhead - not fun!

OTOH, taking the carseat with you might make car hire less worrying at the other end. Although of course not all seats fit all cars.

We flew with an 18 month old and a 3 year old to florida with ba last week. We paid for a seat for the 18 month old but didnt take the car seat. Think we made the best decision, we had a row of 4 and both dd's could more or less lay flat on the 2 seats between us. I think a car seat would have just left us with so little space. Also, if you are hiring a car, the new model of Dodge Caravan have built in car seats, so that got over the problem of having car seats over there

We are paying - somewhere between half price and 2/3 it worked out to be. I couldn't keep her on my lap for the 8 hour flight - both DH and I are agreed on that one!

I'm intrigued by the "thing" you mention PrettyCandles...I think I'll check with the airline. What airline did you use?

I know the car seat is approved by the airline- it has some E-regulation number and fits via a lap belt.

Jenkel you were lucky! Last time the flight back was virtually empty so we could do the same, but I just don't know what to expect this time of year.

Thanks for your comments!

The "thing" with BA is a type of Britax car seat, which fixes onto the bulk head in the same place as a sky cot would go. It tips a little, but won't lie flat, so depends if your little one can usually sleep in a car seat for a long period of time as to whether it will help! You should be able to request a bulk head if travelling with children, but be warned that if you buy a seat for them then you won't get a bulk head as well, if that makes sense!

Hi tid
We travelled all over the world with car seat while my dd was under 3. It was great ... she used to sit comfortably and drop off to sleep when she was tired ... much more comfortable for her. Like you, we always bought a seat for her. If you have bought a seat louloubelle is right that you probably won't get the bulk head... although we did once. Only downside is that as dd got older she could reach the seat in front when she kicked ... very stressful. It is a pain carrying the chair through the airport to the plane, but IME well worth the hassle. Some airlines insist on checking that the seat is approved ... so it will really help if there is a label on the chair to prove it.

Yes, I've done this a few times when travelling with my toddler. I think its best to bring the car seat on board and use it. Child usually sleeps well (if used to sleeping in car seat in car) and it gives you some relief. Also secures them much better than that lap belt loop extension that you use when having them on your lap. Useful too for when you need to eat or go to the toilet or if they throw a tantrum. As for hassle with carrying it around... what I did was put the car seat into the buggy (maclaren) and used an elastic stretchy at each side to hold car seat in place on the buggy. Then put child into car seat and off you go - only time it was really a hassle was boarding plane, but usually found someone to help or worst case just smiled and gave car seat to flight attendent and asked if they could put it in for me (alternatively I would be holding up the boarding passengers - so they gladly helped). Also very useful as someone mentioned for the hire car too. I'd be worried about checking it as luggage in case it got lost.

Did a round the world trip this year with DD (4y) and DS (19m). Took DSs carseat. Invaluable. He slept well on all the long flights. Would have been far too wriggly if we'd just laid him on the seat. Did a few shorter flights which he didn't have a ticket for so he sat on our knees and we checked the carseat in. Was always a bit worried about damage but it was fine.

Definitely take the car seat. It's awkward to carry through the airport, but will make your flight much easier. Would suggest you rig up some sort of homemade handle/shoulder strap for carrying it in transit though.

We took dd1's britax car seat when we came out to Australia last year and it was great. THe only prob was she had to be on the side rather than on an emergency exit area - so we had to move - no problem as the flight to Singapore was almost empty...It was great - we just reclined the seat and she could sleep comfortably - and if needed she could come off and sit between dh and I - made easier by the fact we had an entire row to ourselves...10 seats!!

Thanks! Travelling with 18mo and 3mo next month and was wondering about this. Will put 18mo in carseat in paid for plane seat and have 3mo on my lap. Will let you know how we get on.

This is great - thank you all for your input. I will definitely take the car seat.

Bubblesmum - great tip about hooking it up to the pushchair. I can do this as we have loads of stretchy things and luggage belts!

I really appreciate all of this info.

Jumble - your 3mo should fit in the sky cot, so definitely ask for the bulkhead.

Thanks again everyone!