Car Seats on Planes

www.lorenze.com

{a guest post by my BFF, who has two very active munchkins}

When Chickadee was only 4 months old I flew across the US with him on my lap and he was no problem at all. But now at 17 months old I am not sure how his Wiggly-Highness is going to stay in my lap for even the takeoff and landing let alone the whole flight.

So in preparation for the trip I decided to do some research on airplanes and car seats and thought I would pass on the info to the wondering minds out there. What I found stunned me and might you stun you too!

Mild turbulence can injure your child and in bad turbulence they essentially become your personal airbag, not a pretty thought! The US National Transportation Safety Board has proven that it is safer for a child to be in a safety seat during a flight. In one crash an unrestrained infant died while its mother sustained minor injuries – I never want to be that mom!

The FAA and American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend that children under 40lbs ride in a car seat. The FAA has also approved the use of a harness system for children 22-44 lbs. Here’s a harness system on Kids Fly Safe. More recommendations are on the FAA website. Harnesses that strap a child to your lap are NOT recommended.

I was surprised to learn that many car seats are too wide for the airplanes. The 767 series, for instance, only allows for 17″width and 31″ front to back. Most airplanes recommend finding a seat that is less than 16″ wide. And the car seat has to state that it is approved for airplanes. A couple of car seats that I recommend are the Britax Decathalon/Marathon and the Sunshine Kids Radian but please check with your airline to see if it will fit in the seat.

When booking your seat, know that it will probably have to be by the window and cannot be in an exit row or either the row before or after. And when traveling internationally there are different regulations. Many international airlines do not allow car seats so please check with all your airlines ahead of time!

On a “heavier” note you have to haul the thing around the airport. Once your munchkin gets bigger those suckers get cumbersome. I found a couple of items on One Step Ahead that look useful. Your car seat can be locked onto the gogo Kidz Travelmate it becomes a low stroller, always handy! I saw a girl in the airport with a Pac Back and she loved it. One JourneyMama told me that they use a giant duffle to bring theirs along. Whatever works to get that sucker to the plane.

After my research I’ll be spending the money to let Chickadee have his own seat. It’s just not worth it for me to risk him!