XP from 12-24: Let's talk carseats on airplanes

EDWHIP

I know this has been discussed before, but I need a recap.  I posted yesterday about flying with a toddler and got some great feedback- thanks!  I plan on bringing DD's carseat on the plane.  Am I correct that she is to be rear facing?  I also did some research last night and read that she is to be in the window seat.  Will they let us pre-board to install the seat?  Will they give us any grief for RF?  What type of paperwork can I bring if the flight attendant's don't let her use the carseat?  I've read some stories about people not having an FAA sticker on the seat, etc.  I just want to make this entire trip go as smoothly as possible and be ready.  Oh..and tell me about how you lug the carseat to the gate.  Is it worth it to buy the Britax carseat cart?  Thanks in advance!

1026pumpkin

- Most airlines let passengers with young children board early- either after 1st class or between Groups 1 and 2....you can let them know at the gate that you'll need some extra time.

- I did rear-facing....no grief.

- Not sure about paperwork....check your car seat for a sticker- most have something saying they're compliant- just show that to the FA if they ask.

- For lugging it around the airport, we got a car seat backpack off Amazon.  Yes, it looks ridiculously big, but it was very light and comfortable to wear on our backs, and if you end up deciding to gate check the car seat, will save it from damage.  If you know for sure you're bringing it on board, you could also get a luggage strap and strap it to one of your rolley bags and unhook it before you board.  I don't think it's worth it to spring for one of the pricey stroller/cart things unless you're going to be travelling a ton and you think your kid will be happy riding in it... 

logoz80

If you don't need the car seat on your trip, you can get this

 https://www.amazon.com/CARES-Child-Aviation-Restraint-System/dp/B001GPKN4Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1357924822&sr=8-2&keywords=airplane+harness+for+toddlers

 

If you are renting a car on your trip, you can also rent a car seat 

Leap08

I've never put a car seat RFing on a plane, but I doubt they would give you grief for it.  I've never brought any paperwork to prove the car seat can be used on a plane. I've also never, ever been questioned about putting my daughter in her car seat. The only thing they've ever said was to put it by the window. We've always been able to pre-board. Shouldn't be problem.

I have a luggage cart that I use to transport car seats. It cost a lot less than the Britax cart or go go wheels and we should be able to use it for things other than car seats. It easily collapses and folds flat to go in the overhead. You put the car seat on the platform and bungee cord it on. Works great. 

 

Art Teacher

We have flown with a carseat a few times. We've also bought the CARES harness - it's great if you don't need to take your carseat with you (we borrowed one from family.) 

No, there's no requirement to be rear-facing. 

Yes, you have to have her in the window seat - it's so you can get out easily in an emergency. 

Some airlines let you pre-board, some don't.

No, they shouldn't give you grief about RF.

No paperwork.  Just make sure your model is approved for flying - most are.  Should be a sticker or info on your carseat.

Lugging it -- buy the bag that someone else here mentioned.  It helps.  Also helps if you have to leave the airport and it's raining.  The seat won't get soaked. 

 

stever

When we flew with DS at 20 months we didn't bring a car seat, one was already there waiting for us and it was forward facing.

They'll probably let you on early but will take issue if the car seat isn't compliant with regs and if you try to have her RF and that's against their regs.

It'll be fine. Good luck!

rnbeth477

I found this product and I think we may get it for DS1's car seat the next time we fly.

https://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=538543&parentCategoryId=85184&categoryId=86218

groovygrl

My kids are way past this but I'm not getting the RF thing on an airplane... braking on landing is the only thing I can think of that would indicate that, but the RF thing is more for collisions and getting rearended which is not a risk for flying. I am for RF as long as you can if you want but this seems a little extreme? Not that anyone shouldn't try (and frankly having LO facing you during a flight seems pretty convenient actually) but from a safety standpoint does not seem a big deal? what am I missing?

1026pumpkin

groovygrl:

My kids are way past this but I'm not getting the RF thing on an airplane... braking on landing is the only thing I can think of that would indicate that, but the RF thing is more for collisions and getting rearended which is not a risk for flying. I am for RF as long as you can if you want but this seems a little extreme? Not that anyone shouldn't try (and frankly having LO facing you during a flight seems pretty convenient actually) but from a safety standpoint does not seem a big deal? what am I missing?

We first did this when DS was an infant just out of habit and it was so nice to have him facing us so we could feed him a bottle during take-off and landing, since if you have a car seat, they won't let you hold him and nurse....I did it again as a toddler because I thought it would be nice to face him and also I figured if he started kicking, he'd only be kicking his own seat...in economy, if the person in front of him had put their seat back, kicking might have been an issue.  That said, we mostly had him as a lap baby until turning 2. 

groovygrl

1026pumpkin:

groovygrl:

My kids are way past this but I'm not getting the RF thing on an airplane... braking on landing is the only thing I can think of that would indicate that, but the RF thing is more for collisions and getting rearended which is not a risk for flying. I am for RF as long as you can if you want but this seems a little extreme? Not that anyone shouldn't try (and frankly having LO facing you during a flight seems pretty convenient actually) but from a safety standpoint does not seem a big deal? what am I missing?

We first did this when DS was an infant just out of habit and it was so nice to have him facing us so we could feed him a bottle during take-off and landing, since if you have a car seat, they won't let you hold him and nurse....I did it again as a toddler because I thought it would be nice to face him and also I figured if he started kicking, he'd only be kicking his own seat...in economy, if the person in front of him had put their seat back, kicking might have been an issue.  That said, we mostly had him as a lap baby until turning 2. 

This all I can understand but I suspect others are doing it bc of safety like in a car....? 

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marleyc

Leap08:

I've never put a car seat RFing on a plane, but I doubt they would give you grief for it.  I've never brought any paperwork to prove the car seat can be used on a plane. I've also never, ever been questioned about putting my daughter in her car seat. The only thing they've ever said was to put it by the window. We've always been able to pre-board. Shouldn't be problem. 

All of this is true for us too.  As far as transporting it, DD2 likes to walk, so we usually just throw her carseat into the stroller when we get to the airport so that we don't have to carry it, and then we let her walk.  Occasionally, if we're bringing a rolling carry-on onto the plane, we will strap the carseat onto the carry-on.  

I also don't get RFing on a plane, unless it's for convenience purposes.  I can't see how RFing would be any safer on a plane than FFing. 

flyingsaucer

We use the CARES harness

AmericanInOz

don't bother with any paperwork - if you don't have an FAA sticker on your carseat, they won't let you use it on a plane

we just use CARES and have a sit-n-stroll, so I've never had to deal with lugging a carseat on it's own - i'd get one of those backpacks or a cart though if I did

We did rear racing once when she was tiny - but in economy you can really only do it if there's no one in front of you, otherwise it'll be hard for them to recline, and like pp's said, it's not really necessary on a plane. And yes most airlines will let you get on early to get yourself all set up before everyone else boards

bellybaby

I gate check my carseat. Its too big and bulky. Do carseats really fit in those seats? Ive never seen anyone bring one on before. Seems like a hassle.