Car seats on flights?

[toeragsnotriches]

Has anyone actually seated a toddler in a car seat on a flight? We're flying with DS2 (will be 2.8, v small for his age) and the thought of lugging his massive, heavy seat onto the plane and (if it fits) installing it etc makes me feel ill. He'll have his own seat. We're on easyjet.

Does anyone bother with this? Legally, do we have to? I guess these rules do exist for good safety reasons...

From EJs website:-

Children aged two years or over must occupy their own seat and pay the same fares as adults.

It is the accompanying person's responsibility to ensure that the minor is adequately secured into the aircraft seat.

To this end easyJet will accept a car seat supplied by the accompanying person for any child over six months for whom an airline seat has been purchased, provided that the car seat has a rigid metal or plastic frame,
is no wider than 42cm, includes lap, shoulder and crotch straps, and is upright and forward facing. The required restraint device for the age of the infant is detailed below:

Age Restraint Device
2 weeks - less than 6 months Infant/extension seat/safety belt
6 months to less than 2 years Infant/extension seat or suitable car-type safety seat
2 years to less than 3 years Any suitable car-type safety seat or seat/safety belt
3 years or more Seat/safety belt

I would not bother with the car seat particularly if it is more than 42cms wide because it will not fit between their armrests!.

Thanks, Attila - I saw that too. But does it mean I have to? Or is it like the taxi thing, you know, on your own head be it?

I'm guessing it's an option, not the rule. I felt like not bothering too. Although the thought of actually being able to effectively restrain him on the flight is becoming more and more attractive given his devil child behaviour today !

You don't have to but I would!

Sorry because of the restraint thing.

We've flown lots with our children (3 and 1), never used a car seat on the plane nor seen one used. We have put one in the hold for use in a car when we get there.

As KM says - we've flown a lot with ours, now 4 and 6, and I don't think I've ever seen someone using one on a plane. I never considered doing so.

I've never seen anyone using a car seat on Easyjet - just check it in.

We've flown loads with DS1 and used his car seat onboard several times. This was on longhaul though. We did discover he could wriggle out from under the normal lap belt! Once he got to 4-ish though he behaved beautifully onboard. I think it depends on how wriggly your DC is. My DS1 = very very wriggly.

Under with ours long haul. Worth it ime.

Sorry ill toddler on my lap. I meant we used ours and totally worth it long haul. During turbulence we could keep them strapped in. We've always bought tickets Aus - UK from 12 months. PITA through airport security but we had a toteatot which fixed it onto a rollerbox style suitcase.