We are flying to CO in a week and want to put our 2 year old in a carseat but I hear it has to be flight approved. We have a Costco Touriva but don't see any stickers on it to say if it is FAA approved. I am willing to buy another carseat (not too expensive) but dont know where to start.
I know that Britax are FAA approved, but have you thought of just renting one? Look at babysaway.com.
Hi L.,
We travel a lot and the only car seat/stroller we used was the combo one called Sit-n-stroll. But, it's quite expensive- $250.
You do need to watch out because even though some seats may have a sticker, the airline changes the rules and sometimes a car seat can have a sticker, but it really isn't approved. You can check out this site for more info:
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
R. B.
We fly once a year and we decided not to be hassled by the car seat. It is heavy and you have other things to carry and all. We got a special strap for our child on the airplane. You can rent car seats from car rentals, if you are planning on renting a car. It is lightweight and can fit in your carry on luggage or diaper bag. It is called CARES, it is a safe restraint for your child on the airplane. We used and our child stayed in it most of the time, however got fussy and wanted out for part of the flight.
If you still want to go with the carseat, I would do a search online to see what car seats are approved for the airlines/FAA approved.
L.,
As someone who used to work in reservations for a major airline, call the airline reservations number and have them read you their policy out loud word for word on the phone. Once they do that, ask them to document it in your "record" that they read you the online policy. This way, if there is any disagreement, as is obvious by all the other posts you have received here, then the airline cannot disagree with it's own policy. I would adhere exactly to the policy they read you, whether you buy, rent, or borrow a carseat. Make sure it fits their guidelines so you don't run into a hassle. Traveling with children is stressful enough without the airline employees adding to it. I worked for an airline 7 years and saw policies change constantly based on many different things. That's why I suggest you get it documented. It's important. Thanks and Good Luck! B. P.
Your car seat MUST have a sticker on it saying it is FAA approved, otherwise they will refuse to let you bring it on the plane. (My father is a flight attendant for United and I know he has had to do this on occasion.)
I would just run up to walmart and buy a cosco scenera (pretty much the same seat) for $45 and use that, since it will be brand new and have the appropriate stickers on it. The other bonus is that you would be able to use it with your newest baby for a while too, as it rear faces to 35 lbs.
Good luck!
Hi L.!!
I am almost certain you don't have to purchase another carseat. Most airlines don't even check the brand/names of carseats. They just want to make sure you have one. I've flown on Southwest and Continental and I don't recall anyone ever checking. Maybe there way of checking was when they assisted us with carrying it. To be on the safe side, you may want to call the airline that you are using and give them your carseat info. They should be able to tell you whether or not your carseat is approved or not.
Good luck!!!
We have flown many times with our children. Each time we've brought a car seat. At first a full car seat and now they use a booster. The point of the seat is the child is not adult size and therefore needs to be adjusted.
Sounds simple but the airlines don't agree. First of all ask any employee from any airline and each person will give you a definitive answer. I know you cannot have a car seat in an exit row. Now some will say you cannot have a car seat at the window, aisle, or middle (depends on who you ask). Some will tell you to check it that it's not allowed on the plane. I just stand up to each person and try to convince them of my point of view.
Just take the car seat and protect your childs'safety.
Good luck, B.
there should be a little sticker or even something printed ON the plastic, usually on the bottom somewhere. all the gracos that i've owned were faa approved and we brought them on flights, but i don't know of anything else offhand. walmart generally doesn't have help that you can ask questions to, but babies r us USUALLY does have staff that would be able to show you where the faa approved notice is. another option to save money would be to look your present carseat up online and see if there's info about that.
