Car Seat Required for 2 Year Old on Airplane?

Hi C.,

I have travelled fairly extensively with my 18-month old daughter. I have travelled both with and without the car seat. It is quite tough to manage the car seat as well as your toddler on your own. I would recommend that you travel without the car seat. Let your son sit on your lap for take off and landing. The airline will provide you with the correct seatbelt for both of you. Your son can then sit in the regular seat during the flight. I would suggest you call the airline as well and check their policy. Strangely enough I have found them to vary once you are boarded on the flight. Also take along his favourite snacks, games and books. I found I am always quite anxious before making the trip, but am usually pleasantly surprised how smoothely it actually goes. And your fellow passengers are usually very supportive and helpful. Enjoy your trip!

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Hi C.,
Each airline has it's own rule..The FAA has not put a requirement in stone yet. I did take my car seat with me and she traveled more comfortably in it. They are used to it in the car and and airplane is another "go bye bye" much the same. If God forbid there is an emergency, he will be safer in his car seat, humans get tossed around inside an aircrft in distress, thus the seatbelt sign...You can keep them occupied easier if they are looking eye to eye with you, ie. books, games, coloring etc.,besides the Flight Attendants appreciate it, because he isn't running up and down the isles and/or screaming his head off the entire flight. PS. I hate bulkhead seats, they are uncomfortable...Go ahead, splurge, get a decent seat and make sure you are close to an exit door when traveling with small child, or Senior. Besides, you can usually board early with a small child and a car seat. Check with your airline. Happy landings!
J.

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yes, it is safer. However, I can't imagine how you would do it, even with the go go. From 2+ they can just sit in the seat and I would do that. Also, my son is very tall. by two years old we had to stop using the car seat because his feet would touch the back of the seat in front of him. You try reminding a two year old CONSTANTLY not to kick the back of the seat. The person in front of him was so annoyed! The portable dvd player was the only form of entertainment he needed. Of course we brought coloring books and reading books as well, but you will only get 30 minutes at a time with those. Have fun!

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Just from flying a couple of times with a 2 year old last year, I can tell you it was much easier to put him directly in the airplane seat. I took a car seat the first time and it was a pain to carry it and everything else. My son did great and only wanted to get up when we were waitig to get off the plane. BUT..our flight was less that 1 hr 30 min. That may make a difference in his ability to sit still! Good luck and remember you can always check the seat for free, at least I could on my flight.

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The airline we used allowed children under 2 years old to fly on your lap or a separate seat (if you paid for it). When we flew with our son, the person that had the seat next to us moved when he saw our toddler. He ended up having his own seat which was nice. They did require his birth certificate to fly for free. Our rental car company had car seats available with rental, so we didn't have to carry the car seat around with us either. Plus, with flying you are limited with the amount of items you can carry on without being charged.
The DVD worked great for entertaining him too. I did bring his milk/juice plus stuff to chew at take off and landing to help his ears pop with the altitude changes. He did great overall. But planning ahead helps. Good luck with your trip!

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I would take the car seat. Having the GoGo Babyz makes the seat like a stroller, which makes it easier. There are two reasons I suggest this. The first one is what you may have already figured out. Yes, he will sit still and be happier in his car seat. I have learned that one. My 2 yr old wants to get up walk around, get in and out of her seat. However, I noticed that when we take put her car seat on the plane she stays in it for the duration of the flight with no problems. She has a Britax too. The second reason is because the airlines can loose your car seat!! I have had that happen and will never check my car seats again. What a pain. Hours in the airport late at night looking for a spare car seat, only to get one that didn't work. Then having to pay for one through the rental car agency, and it was so old and out dated, I hated putting her in it. So I say take the car seat. Good luck on your travels!!

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There is no actual requirement that he be in a car seat...they let moms hold babies on laps afterall. But I would second the other poster - find a way to bring the seat. We have the Britax too and only stopped bringing it when my son was about 2.5 because he (and the seat) is big and it made it too easy for him to kick the seat in front. My son still stayed in the airline seat - for which I was relieved, but it is not nearly as comfortable and easy for him to sleep without the carseat.

K.

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I flew to MI last Feb. and there were two two year olds on the flight. They did great in a regular seat. No car seat. The parents had treats for them, games, head phones and they actually slept part of the way. I don't think you will have any problems as long as you are prepared to keep him entertained.

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The simple answer is for most airlines, no. At 2, there is no requirement. However, it would be a good idea to check with the airline.

We took our 2 yr old on a trip and just rented a car seat with the car rental. Worked out great. No car seat to carry around the airport!

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Hi C.,
i was in this same predicament a while back and I used the "Cares baby airplane harness". You can rent it on ebay. one of the links is http://cgi.ebay.com/Rent-a-CARES-Kids-Fly-Safe-Airplane-H.... Good Luck!

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There are no requirements about a car seat on the plane but do remember that most airlines are now charging to put carseats in the luggage compartment and if it were to get lost taxi service and some buses wouldn't let your son ride. The other poster was lucky in finding one to rent. I ended up using a newborn car seat with my 3 year old to get her to my parents house.

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I was also going through the same thing with my son debating about the Britax or airline seat. BUT then I saw the creash landing into the Hudson and that sealed the deal. I just cannot imagine having my baby not strapped in. The airlines definitely recommend the carseat for safety. I am surprised no one has talked about the safety issue. It worries me sick. Well I am glad I read the thread because I learned about go go baby which I am getting right now.

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I travel often with my son who will be two in April. The last few trips I've taken with him have been by myself and he has had his own seat. I check in his carseat and just use the lasp belt. I have found reserving a seat by the window helps out alot and I brought his own backback with toys and snacks. Also he's very much like me while traveling as soon as the plane is in the air we just want to sleep. Good luck.

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My brother visited recently with a 2 year old. They now make wheels for car seats. There's a handle like rolling luggage. It worked great. It's like a stroller when off the plane. They just pushed him through the airport. The handle and wheels just fold in for hiding. They now use it all the time. When he falls asleep in the car. The unhook the car seat, pop out the wheels, and roll him in the house sleeping.
A.

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