Carseats on Airplanes - Hillsboro,OR

I know most of this has been covered, but it is difficult to buckle, they will want the child window seat (safer spot but even more difficult to buckle) and the flight attendants will not help you. It is the safer option. Good luck!

We usually fly Delta and they allow you to check car seats and strollers at no charge because they are deemed to be neccesary baby items! I have traveled with my children at 3 months, 9 months, and 2 1/2 and I have NEVER used a car seat on board! I find the people that were using them around me had a hard time getting them buckled into the seat and then their children seemed to be more upset by all the chaos of getting the seats on the plane that they were unhappy for the flight and the children just sitting in the regular seats were fine. I found that my kids enjoyed being in the regular seat! They could lay down in the seat and snuggle up with us. Happy traveling!!!

Lots of good responses already, but here's a tip for getting through the airport with it!

Lengthen the straps as far as they go and wear it like a backpack. The hard part of the seat should be against your back with the part she sits in facing outward.

I've flown with my daughter 8 times and really appreciate having her seat with me. It's easier on both of us since I know she's safe, and it's familier to her.

Just to add to Polly P's note. You can check carseats while you are checking luggage. Carseats do not count as luggage, so you won't be charged. Check your airline's website. I believe other items such as strollers do not count as luggage and diaper bags don't count as a carry on bag.

I've travelled alot with my young kids. I used to carry our carseat onto the plane for my youngest and at age 2 she was starting to be too big, i.e. feet and knees too close to the seat in front of her so it wasn't comfortable for her. We have a Britax Marathon seat. If you have a smaller seat, it might work. Otherwise, you can buy the Go Go Kidz roller for the carseat (if it fits yours) and wheel her to the gate which is really nice in the airport. My daughter wanted to start walking to the gate at 2 so we just left time for it. Then you can go to the gate agent if you want to check it. Unless you want the chance of the airlines ripping your seat or getting it dirty, I would buy a bag for it. You can find them online or at Babies R Us. You can also check the seat at check in--it is not an extra bag. Checking a seat is free.

For my daughter now, I bought an KidsFlySafe.com Cares seat belt--Child Airline Restraint. It's really easy to use and it keeps my daughter strapped into her seat.

For fun, bring along Brain Quest for 2-3 year olds. It will keep you busy or the short flight.

Good luck.

Thank you for the question. I am flying with my 1 y.o. alone next week and was trying to figure out how I was going to get all his gear (pack-n-play, backpack, carseat) to our destination. I found a strap on Amazon that is supposed to ATTACH your carseat to your carry-on roller (not the kind that turns your carseat into a roller). It looks cheap, and at $15 probably is, but I just want it to last one trip. I put the link below. I liked the idea because it looks easy to hook and unhook at security and on the airplane. It is supposed to arrive tomorrow so we will do a few test runs. I will re-post on this question regarding how it works.

Best of luck!

http://www.amazon.com/Traveling-Toddler-Seat-Travel-Acces...

I am also travelin with a carseat soon, and did when my DS was 18 mo. Check your instructions for the carseat (go on-lone if you've lost it) and it will say if it's airplane approved. I believe most newer ones are. You can take it on the plane with you and strap it into the seat, just like you would in a car with the lap belt. If you'd rather not have it in the seat, you can check it, but you risk damage... I wouldn't reccomend it. Check with the airline your traveling on... I believe you can bring it to the gate and have it put in the front cargo area - just like a stroller - at no extra charge (checking it would cost you). Hope this helps, and have fun on your trip!

Yes, you can take an airline approved carseat on a plane. Typically this is the type that you have to secure in your car with a seatbelt and the child is strapped in with a harness. Personally, I recommend taking it with you on the plane. My kids did much better if they were in their seat rather than the airline seat. Kids quickly figure out how to undo those seatbelt buckles. You put the airline seat buckle through the back just like you do in your car to secure it. If you opt to check the carseat, you can either buy a bag for it or ask for one at the check-in counter.

At least the deal with car seats when my daughter was an infant was a couple of things. First, is there a tag on the car seat saying specifically that it is appropriate for airplanes? Unless it says airplanes, they won't let you. Second, unless you have paid for a second seat, you only get one - yours. Hope this helps.

If you have paid for a seat for her, you are allowed to carry the seat on and strap it into the airplane seat. If you don't have a ticket, you can still carry one with you. If there is not room for it on the flight, they let you check it at the door of the plane and return it to you right after the flight in the same place.

A.,

The carseat can be taken and used or checked. It is up to the parent.

T.

If she is two and you are paying for ticket you can take on no charge (to use it), you can also take to gate and get gate check no charge. Or you can check at check in if you have a bag for no charge. Some airlines are different so I would check into it. I would suggest at 2 years to not take it on for use on the plane as they usually don't sit in them well at this age. Just my suggestion though.

Since you purchased a seat for her, you may use the carseat. You don't have to, but it is strongly recommended by the FAA and safety experts. Make sure it's FAA approved (it will say on the seat and/or in the manual - almost all are).

FWIW: we have flown with DD before and after she was 2 and always purchased a seat for her and taken her carseat. She usually sleeps the whole flight and understands she needs to sit still and be relatively quiet.

Yes, you need to either call the airline or look them up on the Net to be sure what their policy is.

In my experience, but I don't remember which airline, if you take it on board you have to pay for that seat. If you hold the baby on your lap you don't have to pay for her.

I've see car seats both in and out of a bag. I think I'd put it in a bag if I could do it without too much expense. You can buy a specially made bag but I wonder if a person could use a heavy canvas duffle bag or even make a heavy canvas sad. Baggage is treated rougnly. I rhink I would at least take off the padding. These are just my thoughts. I've had no experience with putting car seats in baggage.

Since she's two, you'll no doubt need to buy a seat for her so my response is assuming that. :)

I thought I'd just add my two cents, even though everyone has seemed to cover the issue. We only flew to southern California for Christmas and we flew Southwest, which means "stopover" and involved plane changes. We took our carseat on the way down, we have a Britax Boulevard and it's HUGE. We don't really have a hard time carrying it, my hubby loosens the straps and wears it on his shoulders... We sat in the bulkhead which is a good option with this seat since it's so big. BUT if you bring a backpack with toys, snacks, books, it's hard because you can't have anything at your feet before you get in the air and frankly, you need it the most while you are sitting there taxi-ing or waiting to leave the gate, in my opinion. ;) We had a very hard time putting our carseat in, even with the extension, it was just awkward, and the seat has to be by the window. So one parent or the other has to switch places to entertain the kid. ;) Then we had to take the seat out and move to the other plane and go through the whole thing again. On the second leg, we did not sit in the bulkhead and because of the size of the Boulevard, our 2 year old (who's 95% for height) was more than able to press her feet on the seat in front of us. We tried to get her to stop, which is almost worse because then we move her feet and she puts them back harder. I felt for the person in front of us, I used to hate to sit in front of kids pushing on my seat! So that was a stressful flight for us.

On the way back, we checked the carseat. The girl could sit between us or change places with us so she could look out the window. She was easier to entertain between the two of us and she could stand up, which she liked to do as well. It was definitely harder to get her to stay in one place so if you fly to a place that is notorious for turbulence (midwest) you might want the carseat. Also, she wanted to lie down at one point and didn't want to keep the seatbeat on her, which was a problem. I might look into the kidsflysafe.com that someone else mentioned because flying with the carseat is a no go again as far as I'm concerned.... Unless we can find a cheap, smaller, lighter seat to borrow from someone.

FYI, if you bring the seat to the gate and decide you don't want to use it at that point, you can check it. Then when you get off the plane, it should be there waiting for you. The only reason I suggest that is if you have problems with your luggage arriving at your destination.....

That's all. Good luck!
A.

A.,

I am a flight attentant. We would prefer that you take your car seat and use it. It is definately safer for everyone. Plus it is a more relaxing trip for you. BUT it must be a 5 point car seat. No booster seats allowed. The flight attendants will know which ones are acceptable, some say on the side they are FAA approved, but they are really not allowed to be used on planes. Definately take the seat. But don't be offended if the flight attendant tells you you can't use it. We are not trying to be mean, but we know what ones can be used and only want to keep your child safe. Let me know if you have any other questions I would be more than happy to help.

K.

Having just flown with our 1 yr old. I would reccomend you call your airline, or go to their website because some of them have different rules and guidelines for that kind of thing. We didn't take a carseat, but I definitely will the next time, it's hard to hold them on your lap the whole time!!

Good Luck

A.,
I have never had a problem using a car seat to fly. I have always used one for both of our boys. I also purchased their seats; which is a good idea. On one flight the airline overbooked it. I had our son in his carseat strapped in and the steward tried to make me take him out so they could put an adult there. I refused and told them I had purchased the seat. After verifying this by checking my ticket, they left me alone.
Also, I have this thing about safety, and our children being in carseats is one of them. After all I have read about the dangers of children flying while sitting in their parents lap, I absolutely refuse to do this. My husband feels the same way.
I wish you a lot of luck.

Since your daughter is 2 you will be required to purchase a seat for her. The airlines will check the car seat: whether or not they have a bag for it depends on the airlines and the city and simply if they have them in supply. If they DO have a bag, I recommend not tearing it to get the seat out so you can use it again. You won't be guaranteed of getting a new bag on the flight home! Your daughter will be expected to sit in her own seat for the flight. I hope she loves flying as much as my daughter does; all except the landing part, when I get to massage her ears & encourage the pacifier use & do just about everything I can to help her through the pressure change.

we just had our first airplane trip this week... 2 carseats, what fun! but alaska lets you check them for free and it doesnt count as one of your checked bags. they also bagged it for us. it was nice. we have a 2 1/2 year old and a 5 month old.

When my oldest was two, we flew with his car seat. We took it right onto the plane and strapped him in. It worked great. Even though the plane was new and different, his seat was familiar and comforting. Plus, it raised him up high enough to be able to use the tray - so coloring was the preferred activity on the flight.

It was also really convenient to have his car seat at our destination.

Each airline has their own preferences. Call ahead and ask them how it works for them. Enjoy your trip. Be sure to take a sippy cup to help with the air pressure pain for take-off, landings and any altitude adjustments during the flight. Red-eyes work best for babies and toddlers because they're usually sleeping and the prices have a tendency to be lower=family budget friendly. Have fun!!!

A.,

Our children are 3 and 5. When we travel by plane, we always take their seats on board. These are the seats they are used to sitting in , so we find them to be the most comfortable for them on the plane. In addition, they are the safest option for them. We have an evenflo triumph and a graco nautilus and had no trouble installing either seat. We usually carry their seats or use one of the push carts from the airport to wheel them around. I would recommend calling the airline you will be flying on before leaving especially if you plan to check it as baggage. Because our son is 5, he can technically use a booster seat so we were going to do so during our last trip. When my husband called to ask about checking it, he was told that it would be treated as a piece of luggage and that we would have to pay to have it checked. Honestly, I prefer to take my seats on board with me anyway because who knows how they are thrown around when they are below with the luggage.

It depends on if you are buying the seat for the child or not. If you are buying the seat for your daughter, then you can bring the seat onto the plane and strap it into the airplane seat and use it like you would in a car, as long as the seat is "approved for airline use" mainly meaning it's not rear facing. If you are NOT buying the seat next to you for the child, ie, she's a lap child, then you can take the seat to the gate with you and ask for a "gate check" at which time the stewardess will take the seat, tag it, hand you a claim ticket, and stow the seat under the plane, after the flight you simply wait at the exit of the aircraft (right before you go onto the walkway, after you step out of the door) for your seat, and hand the claim over to the person with the seat. Don't forget you can board early on all aircraft with a child under 4, and you can ask the stewardess if it's a full flight, and if it's not, they might let you take the seat on the plane, even if you've not bought the seat. I've done that many times. My daughter is 9 now, and a well seasoned traveler. We did the car seat thing for YEARS without any worries. Of course your other option is to buy a bag and check it. We have done that as well, we bought a cheap laundry bag that it would fit into, then checked it as luggage. Though with today's cost of checked bags, it's prob better to simply gate check.
Good luck. Remember to have something to drink/ suck/ chew on hand for take off and landing to avoid the plugged ears!

You can bring the seat on-board if you'd like. We did this when our son was about 18 months. It made him feel more comfortable to be in his own seat. Otherwise, you can gate check it. It usually stays pretty safe without a bag. If you are going to check it as luggage, you definitely want it in a bag.

Good luck!

We flew with our daughter for the first time this summer (she was 2 1/2). All Graco and Britax seats are approved to use on any flight (international or domestic). You'll need to check about other seats.

I don't know what kind of seat you have but I do have some advice. First, I HIGHLY recommend you use the carseat on the plane. It is safer in case of turbulence and such. Also, your child is already used to her seat and will be comfortable, will sit higher so she can look out the window (she should be in the window seat), will be used to staying buckled in the entire time (just like in the car) and won't be squirming around the entire time.

Next...
We have a Britax and found out the hard way that you need to ask for a seat belt extender. We got it in okay, but when we went to leave, we couldn't unbuckle the seat belt. After a few flight attendants, the pilot (!) and us had all tried, they finally had to call out a maintenance man out to remove the bolt that held in the belt. I'm not sure if this is the case with other seats, but if the belt connects where you cannot lift the handle to disconnect it, you will also need an extender.

Finally, make sure you get one of those SmartCarts to lug it through the airport. We didn't do this in SeaTac (we took turns with it and tried balancing it on our wheeled suitcase) and it was so difficult. We did use one in LAX and it was SO worth it! Also, I don't know what you plan to do while in the airport, but either a stroller or harness with leash will keep your kiddo in check. We rarely use a stroller, so we borrowed back a harness we used to have (they have cute animal ones at Target) and it was definitely needed so she couldn't wander off in the sea of people.

We found that the flight attendants weren't very helpful (in fact, most were rude) and most everyone from ticketing to boarding was surprised we weren't checking it. I think most people don't use carseats on the plane. Make sure you board early because you'll need the extra time for sure.

Lastly, I know you didn't ask about this, but what really really helped make the flights smooth was a little backpack full of snacks, milk, and NEW (never seen) activities just for our daughter. I got triangular crayons (so they wouldn't roll around), drawing pad, a magna doodle, an aqua doodle pad, a sticker book, etc. Also, she got to take a doll/stuffed animal of her choice. We also had our portable DVD player because she was just getting old enough to sit through a movie (I don't know if your little one watches movies/TV or not). We had people tell us they never even knew there was a toddler on the plane when we were getting off. She was very good and was even sick. She's not one to sleep in the car, so she was awake and content the whole trip. We only had to do one bathroom trip on the flight back and she was happy to get right back into her seat because she didn't know any differently.

Sorry this is so long. I hope it helps. Have a great trip!! :-)