Kiddy Car Seat On Transatlantic Flight

[Notsopromum]

Hi I'm really hoping someone can offer some advice based on their own experience. I have a Kiddy GuardianFix Pro 2 car seat which I chose as it's TUV approved for airline use and we plan to travel a fair bit in the coming year. We are flying with Norwegian airline in a few months from the UK to Los Angeles, I keep reading very conflicting information online and I've been in touch with the airline several times hoping to find a knowledgable member of staff to no luck! My concerns are that due to its design (no 5 point harness and a bolster pad thing instead) that we may be turned away from bringing it on the plane. The airline have told me that as long as it's TUV approved it will be fine, but I've read reviews where people have been told no at the gate. I also looked online for their seat dimensions which say 43cm wide but the Kiddy car seat I have is 46cm wide according to the dimensions listed online, but having checked a number of group 1 car seat dimensions I haven't come across a single seat that would fit in their 43cm wide plane seat, I'm totally confused.

My son will be 19 months at time of travel and he's extremely active and I just know I won't be able to manage him on my lap for a 12 hour flight, hence me purchasing a seat of his own. I will be needing the car seat in America as we're hiring a car.

Does anyone have any experience of using a Kiddy car seat on a plane? Or has anyone flown with Norwegian with any car seat? I'd appreciate any experience! Thank you!

I've just a bit of research reading reviews on Skytrax and comparing the various airlines. Norwegian gets five out of ten, as does BA, Etihad, Easyjet. Virgin gets 6 out of 10 as does QANTAS and Asia Airlines. American Airlines and United Airlines get a shocking three out of ten. I've flown on all of the above airlines and would agree with the ratings, except Etihad should be higher IMO as that was my best flight experience. I will be interested to see how Norwegian measure up given the above gradings.

Another who says check it in. There is no where for it to go onboard once it is in the seat which would mean your child sitting in it for a very long period of time which isn't recommended. Do what i did - walk up and down the aisles.

As others have said you can raise the arm rest between you. Child can lie flattish for a sleep etc. I have flown a lot with ds and particularly long haul to Australia when he was an infant. I'd never take a seat with me.