To fly with a car seat or not?

Casey - posted on 01/07/2010

the thing to do is to check with the airline a day or two before the flight and see how full it is. if the flight isnt full they allow you to use an extra seat without paying for it. i flew to missouri with my daughter when she was a month old and i was able to use the carseat with out paying the extra 200 dollars for the extra seat and if not you can check it and hold the child. she did very well but we havent flown since and she is a lot bigger now. but i really suggest checking the airlines availablilty. if you dont need the carseat at the other end then dont worry about it.

Danica - posted on 12/18/2009

If you are traveling alone I will admit it is a challenge but the car seat was such a life saver for me. My daughter was 14 months when I traveled with her and she was so busy. I put her in her car seat with her favorite toys and her Dora on a portable DVD player and she was content as can be. Not to mention it is more comfortable for you so you are not holding your son while he is sleeping.

Cristina - posted on 12/18/2009

I have the same problem going on, I have to go on an 11 hour flight soon and wondered the same, I came to the conclusion that yes I would lug out the seat, because since it's my son's first flight he might feel abit comforted by something he knows and feels comfortable in.

Nellie - posted on 12/17/2009

I was debating the same thing, as we're planning a trip this spring. I ended up buying a "Traveling Toddler Car Seat Travel Accessory" off of Amazon to strap the carseat to the suitcase to make it easier to transport it through the airport. I haven't tried it yet, but it got good reviews and was pretty inexpensive.

Lauren - posted on 12/17/2009

The first time I flew with my daughter she was 3 months old. I didnt mind holding her because she was small. It was also a short flight from North Carolina to Florida. She did very well. We flew again for the second time when she was 11 months old from North Carolina to St. Louis. Again she did very well, I lucked up and didnt have anyone sitting next to me. We recently flew from NC to Hawaii and she was 14 months old and I must say having her carseat was the best. I couldnt imagine holding her for a 10 hour flight. She loved looking out of the window and watching her own movie in the head rest. Everytime we have been on an airplane I had someone to help me. When we flew to Hawaii my husband carried the carseat. They do have a thing with wheels that you can strap the carseat to and use it as a stroller in the airport. You can find them online. I will be flying back to NC in a few months but Im not going to take a carseat because the price for two tickets are so expensive.

Kayla - posted on 12/14/2009

I took my son when he was 15 months old from Alaska to Colorado, we did not use the carseat I just strapped him in my seat ( he flew free) he did very well, and most of the time we were able to get a seat beside us blocked so we ended up with 2 seats anyways. I think it is your choice whichever way you choose, I flew alone (just me and my son) and took the stroller, blankets, a backpack with games and snacks and things, and had to bring my laptop as a carry on, all that to carry by myself was pretty hard, I can't imagine throwing a car seat into the picture as well. Just remember how small those isles are ;)

Alicia - posted on 12/13/2009

We flew from CT to Orlando a few months ago. The carseat was a lifesaver. It was a lot to lug it but there is no way my son would sit still otherwise. He never minds the seat and is always calm in it. He is NEVER calm when we hold him in confined places. I think you have to go by how your child typically does. I picked up a few inexpensive toys that made their debut when we were in the air.

Renee - posted on 12/11/2009

I agree with Amy....if you don't need your carseat while gone, don't bring it. I am one of those anal retentive people with car seats any time a child is in a car, even if for a 2 min car/taxi ride. Honestly I don't think my son would say put on my lap on a plane ride, he would wiggle around too much and want to get down and run. But if he is in his carseat he knows he can't do that.

Shelby - posted on 12/10/2009

You don't need a carseat. He'll be much more comfortable in your lap or playing/sleeping in the seat. Like Amy said, bring a small toy, bring his favourite toy & try to keep them soft so that if there is turbulence he's not banging his teeth or head on hard toys. My own personal tip for flying with the babes... bring an extra shirt for yourself in the carry on.. just in case!
Hope you have a great trip!

Melaina - posted on 12/09/2009

I also flew with my son with no carseat. I think taking the carseat would have been a hassle, especially if you're by yourself. In fact, there were a number of children on our first flight and non of them were in carseats. And no one had any trouble. Happy flying!

Amy - posted on 12/09/2009

If you don't need a car seat for when your at your destination don't bring it. It really isn't that bad holding your child during take off and landing. Our son was 1 when we went on 4 flights in about a week, he did very well. Having the extra seat is a must (glad you did that) because it gives your child room to play and move around.



Also, get one new smaller toy to hide in your purse, and one for any other travelers you have, that way when your on the plane and your child gets fussy you can give a new toy that will hopefully keep there attention a little longer.



Good luck!