Do I Need a Car Seat on the Airplane?

I was looking to fly with my daughter and some airlines charge if the child is going to be using a seat alone. One of them charged full price and then I found one that gave a discounted price for infants. Will you have a carseat after the flight when you are traveling by car?

I have just returned from European vacation. Here is how it works. Child up until age 2 can fly free if on lap. Of course if there is an empty seat, he/she would be able to use it at no charge. However, if you did not purchase a seat for your child, please do not bring your car seat on the plane, they will not let you use it. Of course if you did purchase a seat (discounted or full price, please bring it, it will be so much easier to fly that way. If you fly British Airways, they have what they call carry-cots which are little seats that look like bouncer seats that attach to the wall in front of you. You will still have to pay, but it is about 20% of the regular price. Buying a seat for an infant will cost you about 80% of the regular fare on BA. Hope this helps, M..

Hi C.- You do not need a car seat for him. But the airlines always recommend it. We flew with out 20 mo old in June and the man in our row was able to move to another open seat. So our daughter just sat in that open seat. The flight attendant just asked that we use the seat belt during take off and touch down. Once your son is 2 years old, then the airlines require that a separate seat is purchased for the child, but they still not require a car seat.

You can choose to have his carseat on the airplane and have him sit in or just gate check it with the stroller as you are getting on the plane. Since he is over the age of 2 years i believe you have to purchase a seat for him. Under the age of two years he can sit on your lap and if there is an available seat next to you he can use it. You might want to double check with your airline about a seat for him. Im flying South West Airlines next month and since he is 20 months old he will sit on my lap or get an extra seat for free.

good luck!

I always put my children in car seats on the plane. It is the safest way to travel. I always think of it like this, would I put my child in a car without a car seat? Never! Besides, if my kiddo is in his car seat on the plane, I am not chasing him up and down the aisles because he won't stay in his seat. :)

K.
www.babybootcamp.com

Hi,
No, you do not need the car seat. My husband is a pilot and at one time was the safety director. He insists that I take the carseats for BOTH my boys. What a pain, especially since I'm traveling alone w/ the boys. However, in the airline industry, they call kids w/o carseats "torpedos": If you hit turbulence, the child goes shooting like a torpedo and could get severely injured. I like the FAA seatbelt idea listed in the previous advice. I forwarded on to my hubby! Sure would make traveling much easier. My advice...buy him his own seat anyway!

I don't think that you do. Any kid under 2 can lap, then beyond that I think they just sit there themselves. You may want to call the airline to confirm.

If there's a seat available, I'd definitely have him sit in his carseat. Just because it's familiar and comforting, more than anything else. And I have a 21 month old myself, so I know how "squirmy" they can be!!

I've traveled with and without a car seat. I liked using the car seat up until the point their feet could touch the seat in front of them.

You aren't required to have a carseat for children under 2. You will just have to hold the child in your lap during takeoff and landing. Then, the child can sit in the seat during the flight. If you are going to travel a lot with a young child, consider getting the CARES FAA-approved child safety belt. You use it instead of a car seat for kids between 22-40lbs. It is so much safer than holding the child on your lap and it is a lot easier than lugging a car seat on the plane. We have used it for several trips, and it is great. Website for that is: http://www.kidsflysafe.com/index.php