Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

Hi all... This summer we're going to AZ (hot and gross, I know). This will be DD's 5th plane ride (she's now 4 YO). Each flight we have gone on we have brought her car seat on the plane. She loves it and is more apt to sitting in her seat b/c it's what she's used to.

She's getting bigger now -- 41 inches tall and DH thinks she should be able to sit in her seat without the car seat and he's afraid of her kicking the seat infront of us for 5 hours b/c her legs are much longer now. This will be the second longest flight as the most recent trips have been to FL. I'm also hesitant to check the seat b/c I'm afraid it'll get ruined. We'll need to take it anyway b/c I suck at installing car seats and I'd rather bring the one I know how to install.

What do you guys think? should I bring the seat on the plane anyway or check it? If I check it, what do I put it in? I got a bag once (just in case we had to gate check it) and it didn't fit....

Re: Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

When we flew with DD at 4 she was shorter than that and didn't use a carseat on the plane.
I think at that age they are fine without it.

We rented one with the rental car when we got there.

I have heard really bad things about what happens to carseats when they check them on a flight.
As in they toss them from the plane to the tarmac and they hit the ground so hard it's like they have been in an accident/

Message edited 5/1/2017 11:17:08 AM.

Re: Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

I would check it (or gate check it if you're worried about damage), especially if you can "trap" your kid by sitting on either side of her.

We've repurposed this hiking backpack cover (backpacking days are over!..for now) as a checked car seat bag and it's worked well: https://www.rei.com/product/887944/osprey-airporter-lz-medium

Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

My DS has never used a car seat on the plane. He has flown since he was 4 months. We have always taught him not to touch the seat in front of him. They will want to but teaching them early on is critical so whether they are in a car seat or not you will have to have that conversation with her and keep an eye on her.

Does your DD fit the requirements of a booster seat? We still use a harnessed seat at home but travel with the booster because you can carry it on and put in the overhead.

Re: Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

Yeah we would definitely trap her in. DD's isn't much of a runner so she could be ok but it's a long flight for a new experience...

I'll check out the backpack. I would feel much safer if we gate checked than checking the bag...

Re: Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

not sure if she fits the requirements, she just turned 4 so I'm not sure. I'll have to look into that. Great suggestion though. Thank you!

Re: Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

If you need to take it anyway I would bring it onto the plane for her to sit in. I would not check it bc they will just throw it around and could just get damaged. She may kick the seat a couple of times bc what kid doesn't but that will get old for her fast. I took our car seat onto the plane when my DS was almost 4, it was fine.

Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

If you happen to have the original box, I've read that's the best way to check it. Since you're bringing it anyway, I would just have her use it on the plane. Just tell her not to kick the seats. I'll bet she could kick them with or without the car seat.

Re: Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

Gate check it so it goes through less of a bang up onto the plane. I never brought a car seat on the plane. My dd is about to turn 5 and has been on the same amount of flights. I'm sure yours will be fine in the air plane seat

Re: Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

I'd gate check it rather than checking it from the get-go.

We use the CARES harness with dd1 to offer a little more support when we fly with her.

Re: Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

oh boy that box is loooong gone. Good suggestion though!

Re: Car seats on airplanes... WWYD

I actually bought that the first time we went on the plane b/c I was nervous about installing the car seat on the plane seat (which was easy peasy). I eneded up returning it. I would get it again but I need a car seat for the rental car.