American Airlines and Lap Children

[YummmyMummy]

We're off to the states (Washington DC) in early Jan and are taking the DD (18 months)and DS (6 months) with us as lap children. We'd seriously considered booking at least one extra seat but an extra £500 for the ticket really made a dent in our spending money so decided against it.
I'm now regretting it! We've been told that if there is available room they will be able to sit in their car seats in the spare spots but has anyone had an experience of this? Do we find out when we check in or as we board the flight? Does that mean we have to lug the 2 huge car seats around Heathrow only to find there was never a spot for them after all?!

Hi have you thought of using cares harness they are from american I have two they are brilliant.I would lend out but would defo have to have back as they £75 each also need for my twins in march.

send me a pm if you intersested

You would only know as you board the flight as chances are the flight won't have closed by the time you check in. They may well be able to give you a rough idea of how many spare seats they have though when you check in.

Might be worth checking with AA too about whether they have any specific rules with regards to car seats.

With certain airlines they have to be forward facing and have to be a certain type of harness.

Thanks everyone. I think we're going to invest in the harnesses but take the car seats along just in case. In all honesty we probably wont be moving around the depature lounge that much and will have the kids tied down in the buggy so it shouldn't be too hard to take the car seats to the gate.

I wouldn't take the car seats unless you need them in the US
you can still use any spare seats you just have to stick the kids on your lap when the seatbelt sign is on

My experience with several airlines (although not directly AA) is that children are not permitted to sit in car seats during take off/landing/any other time when the seat belt sign is illuminated. They must be on your lap with an infant extension seat belt or sitting unaided in their own seat with a regular seatbelt.

IME this means taking the car seats is a total waste of time and you are better off having the 6mth old in a basinet (with the same rules for take off & landing) and possibly getting an extra seat for the 18mth old.

Don't take your seats - what a waste of effort and given buggy, changes of clothes and your own hand luggage taking 2 seats is a massive extra.

Get the bassinet space for 6 month old and book seat for the 18 month old. 18 month old then has a bit of space to stretch out etc.

I would not take the car seats for the reason too that they may not actually fit the airline seat.

I would book a seat for your 18 month old.