We will be going to England as a family in about a month. My daughter is four and the last time we took her carseat on a plane it barely fit without her legs being squished. That was when she was three. I'm concerned that our carseat, along with her longer legs, is way too big for an airline seat and wondered if any of you other traveling moms had any suggestions. Do airlines rent car seats? I know car rental complanies do so I'm not worried on that end. I just need a solution for a 10 hour airplane ride.
I second the CARES Child Aviation Restraint System for the plane. I personally would rather use my own restraint system. Then I know that it is not too old, and it has not been involved in an accident. The option that I would use is Ridesafer carseat travel vest.
I would check with the airline if you have to use a carseat. We have flown to NY with American twice in the past few months and my four year old did not have to use a carseat. She just used the seatbelt. We did check her carseat at the curb and it is free. The carseat will be delivered to the baggage claim area for you and is usually with the clerk or in the oversized baggage area with the gold clubs and such. There are also carseat travel bags you can buy. I borrowed a friend's bag, but I think she got it at One Step Ahead.
We use the CARES harness (www.kidsflysafe.com). My son will be four in April and we have used this on most flights since he turned 2. It is very easy to use, light weight and small enough to tuck into a carry on bag. It is the only harness that Southwest Airlines allows, which is why we got it. Most of our flight are shorter, going to grandparents. There are carseats available at both of our parents houses, which makes it unnecessary to lug them with us when we go there. My son has never complained of it being uncomfortable. Hope this helps :)
I'm w/ Veronica. Skip the car seat and use the seatbelt on the airplane. She'll be much more comfy - especially on such a long ride ..... when she will likely be up and down quite a bit :). I flew to Europe when my daughter was 2 and we spent a lot of time walking back and forth to the bathroom, to the kitchen area, to the beverage cart, etc. Little ones get restless on those long flights and need to move. So long as they are not disrupting other passengers, it's just fine, IMO. Flying is not like riding in a car and you don't have the same 'crashing traffic' risks where you need the 5-point harness. The seatbelt is mostly to keep you snug thru turbulence, breaking, sharp movements and such. The planes, lap-belt should work just fine for that - especially at age 4.
You might try the Radian Sunshine - I haven't used it, but have heard that is is great because of the size. Several moms use it when they need to have 3 seats installed on one seat in their cars.
Actually, they will not allow you to use a car seat on a plane. Tried and they tell me that we couldn't use it. If you look at the side it says not for use on planes. We had to gate check ours. Have fun in England!
I used the CARES harness and loved it. We don't need it anymore, since he is 7. It made traveling so much easier then lugging a car seat. The harness fit into my carryon with everything else. It is a little pricey but very worth it, especially if you fly a lot.
M.
There is a harness called Cares that is approved for use in aircraft. You can google Cares Harness.
She really doesn't need it on the airplane, if it's a matter of her sitting up higher and or the seat belt sitting more snugly what about a booster? She's probably close to the weight requirements for one since she's 4 and they're far more compact and light weight plus not as expensive as a car seat. Airlines don't rent car seats nor do they require them. So basically it's left to you the passenger to come up with a solution if you feel it's needed.
We also have the CARES harness, and we love it. I will say that British Airways did not let us use it on one flight because the flight attendant was unfamiliar with it, but that was 3 years ago. I haven't had any problems on other flights, even other BA flights. :)
I live in Switzerland and we bought the CARES harness for our then 1 year old when we moved here. It was great! She was able to sit alone and it strapped her in like a car seat. Check it out online. I think it's well worth the $! Good luck!
You can buy a CARES Child Aviation Restraint System. It is a 5 point harness that slips over the back of the seat and then uses the seat belt. It is $75 but I got one for my daughter this last time we flew and it was great and I was kinda mad that I didn't get one for my son too because we carried his carseat on for him to sit it. It is easy to use and doesn't take a lot of room in your carry-on. I hope this helps.
Dont use a car seat, especially since the flights so long. Ive flown tons with my 3yr old, and the no car seat options the easiest way to do it. I used a carseat ONCE when she was 3mnths what a pain in the butt that was! I say she can wear the airplane seatbelt I always tell my daughter to look and see if the seat bell light is on, if it is she HAS GOT TO remain seated lol. Good luck
I am still new at this, but is a carseat required on a plane for a 4-yr old? Seems like a big hassle and plane seats are much thinner than car seats. I'd call the airline and see what they have to say about it.
I agree with all the others who have recommended the CARES harness. It is compact and easy to use. I have been using it with my daughter since she was 18 months. It is FAA approved for airplane travel. If you get a question from a flight attendant, just show them the federal code that is stitched on the side of the belt.
