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Parenting

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Original poster

Toddler airplane seat

23 replies

Chickz · 19/03/2015 11:37

Hello. We are going on a long flight with my 18 month old dd. thinking of booking her her own seat. Which means I would need to organise a car seat which we can use on a plane. Anyone had to do this? Any recommendations? Hope someone can help.

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Artandco · 19/03/2015 11:40

You don't use a car seat on plane usually. Child just sits in plane seat. Under 2 they have to be moved onto your lap for take off, landing and any turbulence anyway

RoganJosh · 19/03/2015 11:40

Wouldn't you just put them on your knee for takeoff and landing, as if you hadn't booked them a seat? I'm missing why you need a car seat but I may just be being daft.

Sidge · 19/03/2015 11:47

Under 2 they have to go on your lap for takeoff and landing regardless of whether they have their own seat or not.

So no need for a car seat.

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AngusAndElspethsThistleWhistle · 19/03/2015 11:55

I used a car seat with my 15 month old on a long flight and it was a godsend. It was an overnight flight and she slept the entire way. Such a difference to us being cramped with her sleeping on us.

JaniceJoplin · 19/03/2015 11:59

I have never seen anyone with a car seat on a plane.

Original poster

Chickz · 19/03/2015 12:02

Thanks everyone.
Angus - I don't suppose you could send me a link of the one you used?

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Time2Nap · 19/03/2015 12:03

That's not right about going on lap anyway! if you have a child under 2 and have bought or lucky enough to get a free plane seat, then you can bring an airline approved car seat (it says on them) that secures to the plane lap belt. The seat has to be in centre of row or window side so that it does not block getting to ally.

Your child must be strapped securely in their seat for take off, landing and any other seat belt times. It is a lot safer to travel this way and more comfortable for you all if you travel long haul regularly.

Time2Nap · 19/03/2015 12:05

The other nice thing is, if you get a sturdy car seat trolley, you can strap car seat to it and pop baby in (as a stroller) to ride round airport. The baby is more contented to go in or fall asleep as it's a known comfort area. My baby slept most of my travel even with several hour delay.

AngusAndElspethsThistleWhistle · 19/03/2015 12:57

Exactly what Time2nap said ^^

We used an Evenflo seat we picked up in the states. I wouldn't say it was a great seat though. As above, just check the seat is airline approved and that it has a sticker on the seat stating it's approved.

CloserToFiftyThanTwenty · 19/03/2015 13:06

Not sure I'd bother with a special seat unless I was going to be flying regularly with them - one more thing to juggle, and not strictly necessary

Artandco · 19/03/2015 13:12

Time to nap - it is correct about under 2s having to be on laps for take off and landing. We have x2 children with 15month gap. When I flew alone with them I had to book min 3 seats. One had baby car seat on empty, one myself with eldest on lap, and third was for air cabin crew holding smallest baby. That seat had to be across the Isle also as can't have x2 under 2 in row due to oxygen masks. Once up then baby could be transferred into car seat

It was a pain. I would still pay for the extra seat but just use without car seat. If dh and I travelled together it was easy as baby on each lap, then could move onto own seat booked once up.

Time2Nap · 19/03/2015 17:10

I'm not sure why you had to do that - Artandco but I've flown long haul 7 times and a few short flights with infants in airline approved car seats (strapped into plane seat) and never had to hold them on my lap but they had to wear their seat belt harness at same time as all passengers! Some Uk airlines can be funny about it (but it's encouraged in other countries) so maybe your car seat wasn't allowed or suitable for it.

Time2Nap · 19/03/2015 17:11

If they use the sky cot, they have to be taken out during take off, landing and turbulence

Artandco · 19/03/2015 17:15

No the car seat was maxi cosi pebble which is airline approved. We flew every 2 weeks over those 7 months with both under 2. Child on adults lap for take off and landing has always been the rule and always had to call airline to arrange for a air hostess to be free to help.

The only time it's been allowed ( others using not us by then) was internal American flights.

I always find it easier anyway tbh without as then you can lay across the row of seats with them if you want, plus it's in the way if your sitting next to someone random

Artandco · 19/03/2015 17:19

BA says ''not to be used during taxi, take-off, landing and turbulence (when the fasten seatbelt sign is on)''

gruber · 19/03/2015 17:22

Ah- got a helpful guide here

gruber · 19/03/2015 17:23

Hth

Time2Nap · 19/03/2015 17:25

My last flight was with BA at Christmas, they moved me so I got a row to myself as there was space and the air hostess kindly helped put my seat in as I was on my own and stated baby needed to be strapped into the car seat at seat belt times! It's not a newborn car seat (maybe that's the difference, although a lady in front had a baby in a newborn car seat) it's a Britax convertible seat so maybe that's the reason but I've never had a problem.

Actually that air crew were fab as one guy also carried my car seat with baby in, off the plane for me as I was right at the back.

Time2Nap · 19/03/2015 17:31

One thing that was different that may been a problem for your situation. USA wanted his seat rear facing as under 1yr but uk / BA wanted it forward facing. Obviously bucket / newborn baby seats are only meant to be secured rear facing therefore I could see BA not allowing it for the seat belt times.

I researched this subject until my eyes dried out with my first kid as my partner works in aircraft safety and knows what can happen to a lap child in an emergency, even without a crash (strong turbulence).

Personal choice but for how often we fly we chose the car seat.

Where are you flying to OP?

Original poster

Chickz · 19/03/2015 19:27

Thanks for all the replies everyone.
Time2nap - We are going to Dubai.
I'm thinking of booking a seat for 18 month old lo but having her on my lap during take off turbulence and landing. It seems from what everyone is saying that it would be a hassle taking a car seat. Plus we'd have to buy an approved one which I'm guessing isn't cheap!

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Time2Nap · 19/03/2015 19:42

If you don't need a car seat to travel around at your destination then I totally agree that it would be a hassle. I always need a car seat both sides so it is easier to take mine and use it on the plane (as plane hold is pretty rough with luggage it's better for the seat too).

If your going to lap child them, you would save a bunch by not purchasing a seat and hoping you get lucky there is a spare seat. Quite often on flights, once all passengers are on and you take off, if there are any spare seats the air crew let you move to that row.

plummyjam · 19/03/2015 21:21

I suggest booking a separate seat for your child and having them on your knee for take off/landing. Having just done the same flight myself with a 2 year old, it was fine. A car seat would get in the way and be a pain to lug around once you get there. My DD just lay down on her seat when she fell asleep.

Original poster

Chickz · 20/03/2015 07:37

Fab thank you everyone. Decided on no car seat for the flight. Will see how much the ticket is before we book her a seat. If pricey- will go without and hopefully there are spare seats. If we can afford then I will definitely go for it.

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