Plane W/O car seat?

Re: Plane W/O car seat?

• StefanieM522 member

  March 2014

  I traveled by plane as Wesley as a lap child a few times when he was younger and wasn't walking yet and we had no problem as him riding as a lap child and he slept the whole time. None of our flights were over two hours though. We are taking him on a hour flight ws a lap child in April with us but I'm not sure how it will go. If you think your little one won't stay in your Iap then i would get a seat and use his car seat. I don't think you can let your little one run up and down the aisles though if he won't stay in your lap. On the last flight we were on another family was letting their two year old run up and down the aisle and the flight attendant told them that it wasn't allowed. Good luck.

  
                  
  

                 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  

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• wesleycrusher member

  March 2014 edited March 2014

  My DD is a runner.  There is no way in hell my DD would have sat still.  In the time it took to install the car seat on the plane she tried was already trying to break away and run down the aisle. We had a 40 minute bus ride after the flight we took to get to the hotel with no car seat (not allowed) and it was awful. Truly awful and stressful. Like crying, rolling on the floor trying to get under my feet awful.

  
  

  It's also safer to bring a car seat, the FAA and the AAP strongly recommend bringing one on the plane.  Everything in a plane has to be strapped down and secured, but it's okay to hold a baby? That makes no sense.

  
  

  That being said- a few rows up there was a boy the same age as DD and he sat on his mom's lap the whole flight, so it really depends on the temperament of child as to whether they will sit still. 

  
  

  ETA: and like PP said- he's not allowed to run around on the flight, he has stay on your lap.

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• hilsy85 member

  March 2014

  We brought a carseat on our recent flight, but LO was allowed to walk up and down the aisles with us...he wasn't running or anything and he wasn't doing it the whole flight, but just like an adult would want to stretch their legs, we walked LO up and down for maybe 10 minutes at a time. 

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

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• wesleycrusher member

  March 2014 edited March 2014

  hilsy85 said:

  We brought a carseat on our recent flight, but LO was allowed to walk up and down the aisles with us...he wasn't running or anything and he wasn't doing it the whole flight, but just like an adult would want to stretch their legs, we walked LO up and down for maybe 10 minutes at a time. 

  hmm, maybe it's the airline then?  We fly to Orlando a lot (2.5 hours flight, same as OP's will be) so there are always many kids on the plane but I have never seen them walk up and down the aisle, unless to go to the bathroom.  

  
  

  Our last flight there was a lot of turbulence for the majority of the trip, nothing major, but the pilot came on and asked that no one get out their seat. So I don't think OP should count on a child being able to walk around. 

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• legalbeagle1 member

  March 2014

  Everything LauraT25 says. As usual. Safety first peeps!

  

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• Wally3 member

  March 2014

  I traveled all the way to HI with ds1 as a lap child at 18 months. He was fine sitting on my lap. We have taken a few flights with ds2 as a lap child. He is more independent but still made it through the flight with little difficulties.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

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• AMT1107 member

  March 2014

  I'm not going to say safety again, since that was beaten with a stick over and over.  

  
  

  We bought a plane ticket for DS knowing that when he is in his car seat he falls asleep almost instantly.  He did the same on the plane, it was familiar for him.   I couldn't imagine holding DS on my lap and have someone sitting next to us.  I'm glad we bought the 3 front seats, it worked out well and made it a little less stressful for me. 

  

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• Cbeanz member

  March 2014

  Are you all bringing convertible car seats on the plane? We are flying in 2 weeks and can't picture our convertible seat fitting in economy.

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• legalbeagle1 member

  March 2014

  Yes we have the Diono Radian. It is very narrow and folds up. For the next flight we might get a cares harness and check the seat though the idea of checking the seat makes me nervous so not sure we'll do it.

  

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• chricast member

  March 2014

  @Cbeanz‌ we bought a $40 cosco scerena specifically for travel because of its size and weight.

                   
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• AOBtahoe member

  March 2014

  I guess I'm in the minority, but I've never booked a seat for either girl when they still count as a lap child- the travel costs add up way too quickly! LO has always napped for me on my lap (the last time for a few hours on a five-hour trip). It's not the most comfortable way for me to travel, but if it's the difference between not that comfortable and not traveling at all because of costs, then I have no problem keeping her on my lap. 

  

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