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When flying with a toddler, you may decide to bring a car seat for them to sit in during the flight. We chose to put Elliott in a car seat each time we have flown. He’s been two every time so lap seating wasn’t an option but when we were looking to fly before he was two, we were still going to purchase him a ticket and use the car seat.
Why Use a Car Seat During a Flight?
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends having children in a child restraint system because unforeseen turbulence is the number one cause of pediatric injuries during flights.
- You may need a car seat at your destination. Rental car seats may have been in accidents before, wearing down the material and making it unsafe to use.
- Some kids are able to sleep better in a car seat than airplane seats.
How Do I Carry the Car Seat to the Plane?
I’ve read about multiple options, including strapping it to your carry on bag or using a foldable cart, but I have only tried these two:
The backpack car seat carrier bag is great when you don’t have to carry another backpack through the airport. However, depending on the car seat you are using, this could be really heavy. It’s also challenging to carry it and your toddler if you’re a petite person like me. My husband carried it each time we used it and he said it wasn’t too heavy.
The rollable car seat carrier bag was awesome to use when it was just me and the kids. I even put Elliott in the car seat and wheeled him through the airport. Taking it through the parking lot, security and rest of the airport was a breeze BUT, and this is a BIG BUT, it would NOT fit between the airplane seat aisles! Me and Elexious had our hands full with a carry-on suitcase and a personal item bag each, plus Elliott’s personal item diaper bag so fortunately a sweet lady helped carry the car seat to our seats. The rollable bag I have does not have backpack straps either so you have to just pick it up.
Will My Car Seat Fit?
Not all car seats fit in airplane seats. Airplane seats are very narrow. I read through multiple blog posts and searched a ton of reviews to find which ones would fit. I ended up picking the Graco Contender. It is on the heavier side, 15.9 pounds, compared to other options I looked at but I felt it was the right fit for us.
The rear facing weight limit is 40 lbs and the forward facing with the 5-point harness is 65 lbs. We use it in the forward facing position on the plane but rear facing in vehicles. One nice feature about the forward facing option on the plane is that, unlike most forward facing seats, the airplane buckle won’t be pushing them in the back the entire flight due to the belt path being behind the shell.
I know it fits on the basic seats on Delta, JetBlue and Spirit airlines. I have read some airlines make you lower all the arm rests before taking off (they haven’t for any of our flights) and I was able to lower the armrests with each flight. It was a tight squeeze getting past the widest part of the seat but then there was plenty of room.
Here are some good car seat comparison lists that I looked through:
If your little one already hates the car seat in the car, you might be tempted to skip it in flight. However, here are some tips to help keep them safe and entertained!
- Coloring books – I personally like the Color Wonder because if my little one accidentally colors on something else, it doesn’t stain.
- Sticker books – Elliott LOVES stickers. It will keep him entertained longer than coloring books too. I recently found a “reusable sticker” book at Walmart that would let him stick, peel off, and restick.
- Tablet, phone, or airplane TV – some people don’t let their kids have screen time, and that’s okay, but we do and it’s a lifesaver on the plane (and in the car!). I found these neat headband headphones that work really well for my little one!
- Snacks – Some airlines will give you drinks and snacks on the plane but it’s easier to bring your own. The airline may not have what your kid likes and it usually takes a while before they hand them out. I recommend snacks that aren’t messy or crumbly.
- Lollipops and gum – this isn’t really for entertainment (although it can be) but mostly to help pressurize their ears from the changes. You could always bring an empty sippy cup and fill it up after security for them to drink as well to help.
- Peek-a-boo – bring a small blanket (they may need it if it gets too cold also) and hide them under the blanket in the car seat and play peek-a-boo
I hope this helps you decide to bring and use a car seat in flight for your toddler! Let me know if you have any questions or tips in the comments below!
