Car Seats On A Plane

Without a doubt, the safest place for a child to be on an airplane is in their own seat with the seatbelt securely fastened. If that child is under the age of 2, the safest place for him or her to be is in their own FAA-approved car seat that’s been secured into their own seat on the airplane.

However, under the age of 2, babies fly free or with a minimal surcharge.  It’s tricky: pay a full fare for your child to have a seat but if the flight’s not full you’ll likely get the spare seat for free anyway.  If your kid is pushing two, you might really want to think about paying for that seat.  We snuck in one last “free” flight just before my daughter’s second birthday, and mid-flight I would have paid just about anything to get her off my lap!

The car seat thing gets awkward too.  While your seat may say that it’s FAA-approved, on some discount carriers the pitch is far too small for most people, let alone a bulky car seat.  Our trick thus far has been this: preparing to gate check the car seat so that if we get the extra seat we can use it. If the car seat doesn’t fit (or there is no free seat), you can still gate check it.

Do be cognizant of the fact that a child in a car seat on a plane has less leg room, and is in a prime position to kick the seat in front. Another option for babies and toddlers is the CARES harness - the only FAA-approved safety harness to be used on flights for children in their own seats.  There are various other seat belt extenders and flight vests on the market, but you will not be allowed to use them during take-off and landing, and some airlines will not allow you to use them at all.

With your carry-on chock full of snacks and distractions, (hint: use a detailed carry-on packing list), and kiddo securely strapped into his car seat, you may actually get to enjoy that in-flight entertainment or book. (*just joking*)

Photo courtesy Stock.Xchng