Flying with a 2 year old

[Jessica108]

Hi all

I have been away with my LO a few times but this May will be the first travelling to Portugal since he is 2 and has his own seat.

Did anyone not take a car seat and how was it?

Has anyone taken a Joie ispin 360 on a RyanAir flight?

Just trying to weigh up options. Thank you

Can you hire one when you’re there? We took one once and was a pain waiting for it to come off the plane as they put bulky items in a separate area. Depends how much you’ll be using a hire car. If it’s just for the taxi can you see if they have any?

We've hired car seats twice, in different countries, and they were both dreadful so we prefer to take ours. Most airlines carry them for free if you are travelling with a child under a certain age (but rules do differ, so check with your airline). Yes, it could get damaged but given the price of hiring them, we've worked out that if it was damaged after three trips it would have paid for itself! We bought a Britax Adventure high back seat, instead of using our normal heavy seats, wrapped it in a lot of bubble wrap and got a car seat bag for it.

Thank you! We are hiring a car and have hired a car seat there before. It was more for ising on the actual plane I was thinking? He seems so little to be in a seat on his own. Did you check yours in then rather than use it in the seat?

I've flown a lot with mine and have only seen car seats used actually in the plane in the US. I'm not convinced it's a thing people actually do outside of Instagram.

My two year old sat perfectly well though, it was really no bother. Snacks, water-wow books and stickers. All good.

I’ve taken all 3 of my DC abroad from around 8 weeks old and I’ve never used a car seat. Snacks, entertainment and they will be fine. Portugal is only a short flight.

I have that car seat and I can't see that being allowed on a plane let alone a Ryan air flight, the seat is MASSIVE 😂

It won't fit - it needs to fit in the 42.5 cm between armrests and according to the Joie site, it's 58cm wide.

I fly regularly and I don't think I've seen a toddler in a car seat more than once or twice, and then only as a PP says on US airlines, as their car seats seem to be more likely to be stamped as certified for flights, which is a requirement.

There are very few seats approved for in cabin use. If you want to take it in the hols to use at your destination most airlines let you take a couple of pieces of baby equipment. Just wrap it well!

Car seats are only tested for car crashes. They are unlikely to offer any protection to a plane crash and would hinder evacuation. I would say they would be more unsafe than anything else.

Thank you, you have all put my mind at ease about not using one! Was much easier taking him as a little one and just having him on my lap but hoping he will like the space. Maybe just an Instagram thing then 😂 thank you!

Anyone used the blow up things you can put in the foot well?

I took mine onboard but they were forward facing ones (no extended rear facing then)

I’ve taken plenty of car seats in the hold before to put in hire cars abroad
but in the plane just sat them in their own seat including a just turned 2 yo.
you are overthinking, it’s not needed.

you are overthinking, it’s not needed.

To be fair to the OP, Instagram really would lead you to believe that every child travels in a car seat.

Bloody Americans (I jest, I jest)

They are not permitted on most airlines despite what the adverts tell you!

You can't use your car seat on the plane as it's an isofix one. If you want to use a car seat on the plane I have seen people have success with Joie Tilt or Joie Steadi. I think Cozy n Safe Fitzroy would probably work here (lower rear facing limit though).

It is usual/normal to use car seats on aeroplanes in America but it's much less commonly done in Europe. You'll have to check the airline policy before you decide.