Another questions about flying with a car seat

[knitty]

The more I look into this the more confused I get.Please help!
I will be flying with 5 month old DD short haul in Europe. I plan to have her in a sling in the airport and she will be on my lap during the flight. I always assumed that the airline provides some sort of seat belt extension(thats what they always say in the safety briefing right?)-Do they?
We plan to take the car seat to use when we get there and also to use in taxi on way to airport. BMI tells me I have to check the car seat and can't take it to the gate. How on earth do I keep it from getting damaged?
I was also considering booking her a seat and using a car seat in it as that would be safer for her.What kind of car seat can you use on a plane? They have to be forward facing I believe.
I have tried calling the airline but the people in the call centre are fairly useless.Any advice and experiences greatly appreciated!

Yes the airline will provide an extension seat belt.

BMI is correct. We have done this a lot. wrapped it in a black bin liner and checked it in. Have not had any problems.

I seriously wouldn't bother with an additional seat for a short haul flight. I think you will still have to hold her when you are taking off / landing. If she is awake and squawling, you will be carrying / feeding her / walking her up and down.

Look for a 'Sunshine Kids Car Seat Bag' on Amazon. I also put a clear label on it saying 'baby car seat'.

To be honest, unless you are using a forward facing seat on the flight you have to check it in anyway as no kind of car seat will fit in an overhead locker!

If you have a collapsible buggy you can take it to the gate. McLaren Quest would be suitable for a 5 month old.

I was thinking about getting a different seat as we are going to visit my family, so will be doing this trip a few more times in the years to come.
Will have a look for the bag.
We are not taking a buggy as my mum has one there, but thank you for the tip.

You can't keep it from getting damaged unless you box in and use heaps of bubble wrap.

Is your seat legal in the country you are visting?

Thats what I thought, don't fancy getting the box and bubble wrap out once I get to the airport.
We have a cabriofix, and yes its legal there. Other option would be to get my family to buy one and leave ours at home.But then what do I do for taxi to airport?
Never thought it could be this complicated. But then I'm probably overthinking it.

We got family to buy for us when we travelled saved lots of hassle.

We got a lift to the airport which made it easier. Can you take the car to the airport and leave it in one of the longstay car parks?

Don't laugh at me now- we don't even have a car. Just have the seat for taxi trips if we need it. I know that is probably a bit pfb of me.
Think I have to either find a cab firm that has car seats or change the time of the flights so we can get there on public transport.

Do you use the cab firm a lot? Could you ask them if they would keep the seat for you - or once the driver has dropped you can you give him the fare to drop the seat safely at a friend or family members house until you get home?

Or see how much it is to leave it at left luggage at the airport but I fear this might be hugely expensive.

Just found a cab firm that supplies car seats!
In case anybody searches this one day and is in London: Barnes Cars say they provide every type of car seat for an extra £2. Think my problem might be solved.
Thank you for your help!

good stuff