should I use a car seat on a flight??

[natkingcold]

Hi, my ds is just 2 and we are going on a 9 hr flight. I understand that he could sit in a car seat on the plane but not sure if this is a good idea or not?

The seat we are taking is a maxi cosi priori. In fact not even sure if that one is ok for planes as airline website says can't use if seat has separate base. This seat has a base but seat doesn't actually come off it iyswim.

Would be grateful for any views on this - whether it's better for toddlers to sit in a car seat or not?

tia

I think that unless you are taking the car seat to use in a hire car or something its not worth it. Although you know him better and maybe he would sleep better in the car seat, but otherwise its a big thing to lug around the airport etc. Would he sleep on you for a bit?

Hi thanks for your reply- yes we would be taking the car seat anyway. It's a flight during the night (set off 9.25pm) so I was hoping he might sleep a long time in it (and rather not on me).
I haven't been on a plane for a while (and for ds it is first time) so having trouble visualising things and whether he'd be better off in a car seat or not - not sure if he'd be able to reach for meals etc.

you would have to check the dimensions they allow as the car seat may be too big for the plane seat and you would then have to check it in to the hold.

I think it would be a good idea for a 9 hour flight. Most plane seats aren't too comfortable for an adult to sleep in, let alone a toddler and he'll be more comfortable in his seat.

For meals you could just have him on your lap(s) if the seat makes things difficult - I'm sure cabin staff would be able to help.

I would phone up the airline's customer helpline and enquire about the model of seat, they should be able to help. I don't think that the "base" you describe on the seat counts as a separate base, that's part of the seat itself, it just exists for the reclining mechanism really. What would probably be an issue is if it can be fitted on an aircraft with the aircraft belt, and what the dimensions are of the base of the seat to see whether it would fit on the aeroplane seats.

hi thanks for replies. we are flying to india with british airways.

good idea about the seat that can be used as a buggy - unfortunately we've left it a bit late as flying tomorrow! Feeling really stressed about it now as was hoping he'd be able to sleep most of flight (perhaps a head cushion thing might help or is that crazy??) the flight goes around 9.20pm.

I dont think you will be able to use your car seat as it needs to be able to be secured using just a lap belt and the maxi cosi priori needs a 3 point belt. From BA website:

If you decide to purchase a separate seat for your infant for a child fare, or you're travelling with a child who is less than three years old, you may prefer to use your own forward facing car seat.

The car seat:
can only be used for infants over six months old and children up to three years old

must be designed to be secured by means of a normal aircraft single lap strap and face the same direction as the passenger seat on which it is positioned
must have a 5-point restraining harness

must not exceed the dimensions of the aircraft seat, and should fit into an area of 45cm x 45cm (17.5ins x 17.5ins)

Two part car seats, (a seat and separate base) are not suitable for use on aircraft seats.

More info here

We take our ds' car seat. But we pad it up and put it in the hold.

Ds sleeps laid across us so its not an issue.

I wouldn't take it on the plane, personally.

When I last did this you had to put it in the over head locker for take off and landing. I took a booster with a back that zipped/unzipped on/off. Was great but that fitted easily