Tell me about carseats in airplanes...

HasteTheDay

We're flying in May. Lydia will be 2.5 and Nora will be 1. First of all- am I required to have a carseat for the two year old, or is it just an option? Do I put it in forward or read facing? Will my convertible carseat fit? (it's an evenflo triumph or something like that.) 

If I don't take it on board and decide to check both of them, do they count as extra baggage that I'll be charged for? 

Also, has anyone used one of those stroller type attachments for wheeling the carseat through the airport? What did you think of it?  

Sorry for all the dumb questions, but thank you for any advice!

maxebook29

We flew with my DD last fall (when she turned 2) and did not use the carseat. It is an option not a requirement. Not sure about your other questions because we just rented one when we got there. I know that is a big Nest no-no, but it worked out just fine for us.

ETA: Are you going anywhere fun? And if you do bring it on the plane, I think it would have to go forward facing. Don't think it would fit the other way. 

suzymarie

yOU AREN'T REQUIRED TO USE IT.  oops.  In fact, often the flight attendants give people dirty looks for using them because they are generally a pain for everyone.

 

If you use the carseat you have to put in in a window seat so taht there is no possible way for it to block peoples escape in case of emergency. 

 

We used our convertible seat last time we flew, and it wouldn't have fit RF unless we were in first class.  W. was 15 months at the time, and it would have been easier to skip the seat.  At that age he was happier on my lap because he could wiggle and move around more than if he was strapped in. 

 

I don't THINK they count as extra bagagge.  We always carried ours through security and gate checked it because we didn't want to risk it getting damaged or not showing up at our desitnation.  However if I had 2 kids and more stuff to wrangle, I wouldn't have done that.

 

I would love a stroller thingy- we couldn't justify the price with only 1 kid to manage between 2 adults, but with 2 kids, I would go for it.

erinluvsjason

It is not required to have a carseat for an airplane at all. You can ?gate check them if you want. Bring them through security, then go to the podium at the gate and tell them you want to gate check your carseats. They give you a tag, then you just leave them at the end of the jetway when boarding. When you get off the plane, they bring them back to the jetway for you. It is not an extra charge that I know of. If you check them as luggage there is an extra charge.?

With convertible car seats, I just use the strap on the back of the seat as a shoulder strap and carry it like that. I have seen people using convertibles on the plane (forward facing), but I always gate check our carseat.?

Good Luck!?

mags2041

Car seats are optional and you can gate check them.  Personally I don't use one when I fly with DS; I want to get those CARES (?) straps that fit over the seat and use the seat belt.  If gate checked the seats wont' count towards your checked baggage.

Your carseat should say in the manual if its approved for airplane use.  I've never seen one thats not, but its worth a check.

HasteTheDay

Thanks everyone! I'm glad I asked. This was helpful. 

bls27

I used the CARES harness for my recent flight and loved it.  It's pricey but you can rent them on ebay.  We have an evenflo and I just thought it will be huge to bring on the plane.  Plus, with a carseat she would have to be in the window seat and I wanted her in between DH and I since I would be holding the baby.

 We checked both of our carseats with our regular luggage so we didn't have to carry them through the airport (they don't count towards your allowance).  You're allowed to also check tem at the gate with your strollers.

hikerbeth

Not required, but I always use one with my DD.  And I've never gotten a dirty look. . . I am very efficient at getting us out of the aisle and installing the seat.  Business travelers with a million bags generally clog up the aisle more than I do (my husband is one of them, so I can say that ).

You can install RF if you get a seatbelt extender from the flight attendant and if your child is going to spend the whole flight kicking the seat, it might not be a bad idea to install RF.

I use a pac-bac carrier instead of the wheels, but I know people who love the wheels.  You will be charged if you check it separately, but I don't believe you will get a charge if you gate-check it (but then you'll have to haul it through security and everything, so you might as well take it on the plane at that point).

My DD knows that the carseat is her "place" to travel.  If she was just in the seat, she'd be all over the place.

JillShari

Just to add.... I got a travel bag for the carseat from one step ahead with wheels.  It is easy to put the seat in, easy to pull along with you for either gate or regular checking...and it keeps your seat from getting dirty and banged up too much.

maybaby519

We just flew with DS and took the carseat on the place with us.  He knew he had to sit in the the seat like in the car and could not get out.  It was perfect!  MH carried the carseat through the airport, I pushed the stroller and only had the diaper bag with me, so it was easy.