Car seat for flight with 19 month old

Calica1 · 2025-04-26T13:21:33+00:00

Hoping people will have some recommendations as I'm struggling to find anything online. We are going for our first holiday with our little one in October when he will be 19 months. I'm planning on getting him his own seat which will then require a car seat but I'm struggling to find any online that actually state they are suitable for planes? He doesn't fit into the baby seats currently at 13 months which is mainly what I've seen recommended online so does anyone know of any of the forward facing car seats for toddlers that are suitable for planes? (We will be flying easyjet) Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Haappy · 26/04/2025 14:34

Can I ask why you want a car seat for him? At this age my DC sat on an adults lap for take off and landing and then sat in their own seat (no car seat) while airborne. Also be aware not all car seats are permitted on planes. Sorry I can't be more helpful about which ones are allowed, but I'd recommend checking with EasyJet directly.

Uphighseesky · 26/04/2025 15:02

I'm also not sure why you need a car seat for the plane? If you need one for a rental car abroad then you just give your car seat at check-in with your cases.

He'll be on your lap for takeoff, turbulence and landing but can just chill in his own seat otherwise. He'll have loads of space.

dementedpixie · 26/04/2025 15:04

You dont need a car seat for his seat. He goes on your lap for take off and landing and then his own seat for the rest of the flight

Original poster

Calica1 · 26/04/2025 17:41

Haappy · 26/04/2025 14:34

Can I ask why you want a car seat for him? At this age my DC sat on an adults lap for take off and landing and then sat in their own seat (no car seat) while airborne. Also be aware not all car seats are permitted on planes. Sorry I can't be more helpful about which ones are allowed, but I'd recommend checking with EasyJet directly.

Two reasons honestly. Firstly is easy jets information states infants in their own seats must be in a approved car seat for take off and landing (it doesn't state they can be on a lap for this)

Secondly because I feel like we stand more chance of him sitting nicely or falling asleep if his in a car seat as he would hopefully think of it like a car journey and he loves car journeys!

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Uphighseesky · 26/04/2025 17:46

How long is the flight?

Original poster

Calica1 · 26/04/2025 17:50

Uphighseesky · 26/04/2025 17:46

How long is the flight?

4 hours. And I've just checked with easyjet and they require a car seat if the infant is using their own seat.

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ncforschoolhelp · 26/04/2025 17:55

Do you need to get them their own seat? I'm flying with a 22 month old soon and they won't have their own seat.

dementedpixie · 26/04/2025 17:56

That's only if they are going to be using the seat for takeoff and landing. There are barely any seats that will fit an aeroplane seat which is why I've never ever seen one on board.

The carseat needs to be forward facing and able to be able to be held in by a lap belt. Not sure you will actually find one that fits this criteria

dementedpixie · 26/04/2025 18:07

A CARES harness?
You can even hire them

samarrange · 26/04/2025 18:15

Calica1 · 26/04/2025 17:41

Two reasons honestly. Firstly is easy jets information states infants in their own seats must be in a approved car seat for take off and landing (it doesn't state they can be on a lap for this)

Secondly because I feel like we stand more chance of him sitting nicely or falling asleep if his in a car seat as he would hopefully think of it like a car journey and he loves car journeys!

Show quote history

Firstly is easy jets information states infants in their own seats must be in a approved car seat for take off and landing (it doesn't state they can be on a lap for this)

If you hadn't booked a seat then he would be sitting on your lap. The fact that you have opted to book a seat for him doesn't suddenly mean that it's illegal or unsafe for him to be on your lap for takeoff and landing.

The wording on the site confirms this:
"Infants sitting in their own seat [my italics] will need to use a car seat for take-off and landing"
It does not say "Infants who have bought their own seat will be required to sit in that seat (and, thus, use a car seat) for take-off and landing".

So you don't need a car seat, and they really don't want you to bring one.

Original poster

Calica1 · 26/04/2025 18:19

samarrange · 26/04/2025 18:15

Firstly is easy jets information states infants in their own seats must be in a approved car seat for take off and landing (it doesn't state they can be on a lap for this)

If you hadn't booked a seat then he would be sitting on your lap. The fact that you have opted to book a seat for him doesn't suddenly mean that it's illegal or unsafe for him to be on your lap for takeoff and landing.

The wording on the site confirms this:
"Infants sitting in their own seat [my italics] will need to use a car seat for take-off and landing"
It does not say "Infants who have bought their own seat will be required to sit in that seat (and, thus, use a car seat) for take-off and landing".

So you don't need a car seat, and they really don't want you to bring one.

Show quote history

I have just been chatting with them through WhatsApp and according to them it is mandatory and not optional to use the car seat if they have their own seat as an infant so unfortunately looks like we don't have a option and need to find him a suitable car seat if we don't want him on our lap for 4 hours.

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Original poster

Calica1 · 26/04/2025 18:21

ncforschoolhelp · 26/04/2025 17:55

Do you need to get them their own seat? I'm flying with a 22 month old soon and they won't have their own seat.

I have considered just holding him but I know he won't sleep and will be constant fidgeting if he's not strapped down and feel a bit sorry for the 3rd person in the row that will be next to us with a grumpy squirmy toddler for 4 hours.

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NannyR · 26/04/2025 18:33

The website states that they only need a car seat if they are sitting in the seat for take off and landing, and when asked by crew (presumably turbulence). If he's on your lap for take off and landing, I can't see why he would need a car seat. If you hadn't booked him a seat and there happened to be a spare seat in your row, he would be allowed to sit on it without a car seat during the flight.

From website Infants sitting in their own seat will need to use a car seat for take-off and landing, and any time when asked by the crew. We don’t have car seats on board so you will need to bring your own.

Geranium1984 · 26/04/2025 18:36

I've flown easy jet with both mine when they were between 1- 2yo. I paid for their own seats each time and did not bring a car seat. For take off and landing they have to sit on your lap with a belt extender thing, then they sit in their own seat during the flight x

Uphighseesky · 26/04/2025 18:38

It's happened a few (glorious) times that a seat was free next to me, as I was travelling with my son as a lap infant. Belted onto my lap for takeoff and landing and then I popped him on the spare seat for the rest of the flight.

Once the crew even shuffled someone around so that the seat next to me was free. (No disadvantage to the moved passenger, they got a better seat)

Geranium1984 · 26/04/2025 18:40

Also, I've never ever seen a toddler/baby sat in a car seat on a plane. Last time I flew easyjet with an <2yo in their own seat was July 2024.
I'd highly reccommend getting them their own seat, especially if you have a wriggly one like me!

dementedpixie · 26/04/2025 18:44

I think they're talking bullshit on the WhatsApp. Like I say I've never seen a carseat on board and plenty of toddlers in plane seats sleeping without one. On lap for takeoff and landing and then a mix of lap and seat for the rest of the flight.

Or use a CARES harness

Minnie798 · 26/04/2025 18:46

Ive also never seen a baby or toddler sat in a car seat on a plane. Parents lap for take off and landing. What a pain in the a* , carrying a car seat would be in the airport.

Original poster

Calica1 · 26/04/2025 18:47

Thank you everyone for the replies. I think I'll call and book the seat and worst case I'm sure we can walk up and down the plane if he won't settle in the seat!

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SeaToSki · 26/04/2025 18:55

I always had mine in car seats and it was fabulous. Much safer than on your lap and much more comfortable for both parties. I cant help with which car seat advice as I always flew on American airlines as they let you use any car seat that could attach with a lap belt

BertieBotts · 27/04/2025 23:26

There are none on the UK market which are plane approved any more for that age range. In the US they have lots because their car seat regulataions are different and lap belt fitting must be possible. In the UK lap belts are now so rare in cars that car seats are no longer designed to fit using them. It's also because they move forward much more when the car seat isn't tethered at the top (or e.g. braced like with a support leg on an isofix seat).

You can apparently fit certain seats onto an airline seat, for example Joie Tilt. But it's iffy whether or not the airline will accept it since the seat is not officially approved to use the lap belt only. It's physically possible to fit that way and some airlines are OK with that.

By EU flight laws - if the child has their own booked seat and they have a car seat then they can be in that seat for take off and landing.

If you book a comfort seat for infant then you can have it for the extra space and they can sit in it without a car seat when the seatbelt sign is off, but they'll be on your lap for take off and landing with the supplemental infant belt.

If you don't book any seat for them then you have them on your lap, with the infant belt for take off and landing but you can remove it when the seatbelt sign is off.