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Original poster

taking a car seat when you travel via aeroplane

17 replies

poppy34 · 17/05/2009 18:22

we're off to south africa in a few weeks on a tour - have to take a car seat as its not provided by tour operators for transfer. How do you ensure it is not bashed around too much when in the hold -bubble wrap/box/bag etc?

also we'll be on coaches for transfers so how do you secure it if no seat belt points? Will I need to take a bracket thingy (isofix or whatever its called) as would rather not.

any tips appreciated.

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zisforzebra · 18/05/2009 00:41

We took ours to Cyprus last year and just wrapped them in carrier bags and loads of tape at the airport (having used them to get there) and checked them in as luggage. They were fine.

No idea about fixing it without seatbelts though sorry as we were collected from the airport by my sister and then had a hire car.

Louise2004 · 18/05/2009 06:45

Most airlines will let you take them on the plane, which is what we always did (some airlines will check they have the necessary certification for plane as well as car travel and only one flight didn't allow us to use it on this basis - they put it into the cupboard at the front of the plane for us instead). We found they were more comfortable for the child on the plane - easier for them to reach the tray table and to help them fall asleep.

Not sure about fixing them on coaches without seat belts, sorry, as we just didn't take the car seat when we were on tour without seat belt points.

Have a great trip!

Original poster
poppy34 · 18/05/2009 08:03

Thanks - hadn't thought about taking it on the plane. Will call tour company again re coaches

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EldonAve · 18/05/2009 08:14

We just put ours in a strong clear plastic bag

Taking it on the plane is usually allowed if it meets their requirements and you have booked your child a seat
But it is a pain to lug it down the aisles etc

if the coach has no seat belts then I wouldn't bother taking it
Not much use if you can't fix it

Chinwag · 18/05/2009 08:18

We have a booster seat, and we didn't bother wrapping it. They just tag it on arrival, and it was fine.

inscotland · 18/05/2009 09:35

If there are no seat belts then there is no point taking car seat with you. It's such a big thing to carry around too but it is your call.

Original poster
poppy34 · 18/05/2009 09:40

I know inscotland but its not a great choice to do long journeys with one year old on my lap (and yes I know someone will say that is what our parents would have done etc etc but its not really something I'd do if given the choice for saftey reasons rahter than anything else).

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blowninonabreeze · 18/05/2009 09:46

Have you booked a seat for your 1 year old on the plane? Or is he/she on your lap? If you haven't booked a seat, you won't be able to take the car seat on board the plane.

Also is it a rear facing car seat or the next stage?

giantkatestacks · 18/05/2009 09:50

poppy - how long is the transfer and what are you doing the tour itself in? Is the whole tour on a (big)coach without seat belts? Thats quite unusual for one of the big tour companies...

Original poster
poppy34 · 18/05/2009 09:50

still rear facing - she is going to be on/my dh's lap so I know the car seat will have to go in the hold hence request for tips on padding it up.

I suppose if I'm taking car seat its not a great deal more hassle to shove the isofix kit in (its only a couple of bits of metal that fold up and can be bagged up).
I probably sound paranoid but saw something on damage you can do to kid without car seat even at low speeds so don't want to take the risk.

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Original poster
poppy34 · 18/05/2009 09:53

kate.. the simple answer is I'm not quite sure - its three centred - johannesburg, pretoria and pilanesberg (its part of rugby tour thing - strangely the last thing I'm worried about it is taking dd to rugby as she has been a lot) - I am actually not sure about how long the transfers are. And I agree that it would be odd not to have seat belts but I am just not 100 % sure.

More questions for tour lady (and before you ask why are we doing this -its a big birthday for dh and this tour was booked prior to dd's arrival).

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giantkatestacks · 18/05/2009 09:53

But how will the coach company be able to take one of the seats out to use the isofix? Am I missing something fundamental?

blowninonabreeze · 18/05/2009 09:57

I'd be worried about damaging the seat in the hold too.

Personally I'd even be inclined to look at buying a cheaper seat to take with me and use just for the holiday? ??

Have a lovely time

Original poster
poppy34 · 18/05/2009 10:03

blowinabreeze -great minds as that was my thought and that is better than the one I saw in tesco that was £10 more so thanks.

kate - the one we have sort of goes underneath the car seat then straight down onto the floor but I think it needs the point on the car to fix to so good point (you can tell my brain not yet engaged today!) -so me being thick not you.

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giantkatestacks · 18/05/2009 10:04

Thinking about it - you could take it to the gate maybe like a buggy and hand it over at the plane (like you do with a buggy) - they would be less likely to chuck it in that way I reckon as it would sit on top.

We have always covered ours in parcel packing then a bin bag and then tape to go in the hold but admit you still worry about it...

Buda · 18/05/2009 10:08

Isofix seats only work in cars with isofix fittings don't they? Not sure it will work in a coach to be honest unless you know they have isofix fittings and if they don't have seatbelts I don't think they will have isofix!

Original poster
poppy34 · 18/05/2009 10:09

yep buda I agree this is my issue.

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