We're going to Hawaii next Monday and I'm waffling back and forth on whether to take DS' seat on the plane with us or luggage check it.
Flight is 6 hrs nonstop. DS is 20 months. We bought DS his own seat. We've never traveled on an airplane with a carseat before. Longest he's been in the carseat in the car is maybe 3hrs nonstop? Last time we flew, DS had his own seat, but we held him as a lap infant for takeoff and landing and basically used his seat as extra space for us to spread out. I can see disaster with both scenarios.
I think this is kid dependent. Does he like his carseat? Does he sleep in it? Will he want to get down or will he know that he needs to stay in his seat?
My ds would have screamed to be stuck in it and then we would be stuck with the carseat taking up a seat. So, we didnt bring it on, but a lot of kids do jsut fine and find some comfort in it.
If the option is to check it with luggage or have him sit in it on the plane then yes, have him sit in it on the plane. Checking a car seat can do unseen damage that comprises the saftey of the seat. Not worth it IMO.
Definitely. For children under two, if they occupy their own seat, they must be in a carseat or a CARES harness. The nice thing about the carseat is that a lot of kids will happily chill in them for a while, and even nap, where they might not if they are held in a lap or if they are using a CARES harness. And you don't have to leave them strapped into the seat the entire time, you can take them out and do some lap time, walk the aisle, etc. Even when they are in the car seat they don't have to be buckled in really tight (though I always buckle and tighten the straps when the seatbelt sign is on).
Post by longtimenopost on Apr 26, 2015 20:02:37 GMT -5
Yes. We got one of those car seat bags with backpack straps and it was nice because we also put some toys and blankets in there so we could anchor the seat at an angle. Try to get a bulkhead seat if your can though, because seat kicking can be an issue!
Post by karinothing on Apr 26, 2015 20:31:23 GMT -5
We just brought one for a 6 hour flight, DS sat in it that entire time. It really wasn't a pain (and we have a Brtiax, so heavy and big). DS never kicked the seat (but he is also short, so not sure he can lol. We have a bag that has rollers, but last time we used a foldable luggage cart thing and it was super easy. That way DS could sit in the car seat as we wheeled it through the airport.
What happens if the baby doesn't have his own seat but you are bringing a car seat? Do they let you carry it on or do you have to check it? I am worried about it being tossed around and potentially damaged.
I'm flying to Hawaii with DD in a couple of months and she will be the same age and we have purchase a seat for her. I am bringing her seat. I just think life is easier with restraining devices + it is safer.
What happens if the baby doesn't have his own seat but you are bringing a car seat? Do they let you carry it on or do you have to check it? I am worried about it being tossed around and potentially damaged.
You can usually gate check it if you are worried about damage (but then you have to carry it through the airport).
We've had a car seat damaged when gate checked, and the airline replaced it.We use a padded car seat bag and check with luggage now. My kids hate being in a car seat on a plane, so I would say no, but t I'm always in the minority on here. I would use a CARES. FWIW we've traveled several times with kids under two not in a car seat or CARES and the airline never said a word.
Post by speckledfrog on Apr 26, 2015 22:46:48 GMT -5
We fly frequently with the kids. One of the worst flights we had was when our oldest was about 18 months old and we flew from Dallas to LA. We put him in his seat and he decided that he really wanted to just kick the seat in front of him because his feet could reach it when he was sitting in his car seat. We had to take him out and hold him it just sucked ass. He hasn't flown with it since. We've never had an issue with our seat and we check it with the rest of our luggage.
What happens if the baby doesn't have his own seat but you are bringing a car seat? Do they let you carry it on or do you have to check it? I am worried about it being tossed around and potentially damaged.
It's really unlikely that you will be allowed to bring it on the plane. The gate agents are always right on top of us as we walk up with our seat (for the baby) to check if he is a ticketed passenger. I agree that damage can occur either way and gate checking is more for the seat not getting lost.
I have twins and all flights we've ended up bringing a car seat on for one and not the other. I realize not all kids are like mine but the one in the car seat usually sleeps much of the flight (this included a flight to Hawaii) The one either in a lap or in a seat without a carseat is much more of a handful. As a result I'd bring the seat no questions.
What happens if the baby doesn't have his own seat but you are bringing a car seat? Do they let you carry it on or do you have to check it? I am worried about it being tossed around and potentially damaged.
We recently flew Allegiant and had this scenario (not buying a seat but hoping to bring the car seat onboard) both on the way there and back we were able to make it work, when checking in we checked and found rows with extra seats (so we got lucky both ways) then right before we boarded we asked the gate agent and they said no problem bringing the car seat. I've had this work with Hawaiian Air as well but I wouldn't count on it.