Car seat on plane?
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Category: General Chat
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Topic: Car seat on plane?
Posted By: luci21
Subject: Car seat on plane?
Date Posted: 07 January 2011 at 10:41pm
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We're going to the uk later this year when our baby will be 1 year old. We've paid for a seat on the plane for her as it's a long way to fly with her on our knees if we don't get a bassinet.
I can't decide if we should take her car seat on the plane for her to sit in (if it fits in the plane seat) or to check it in with the luggage and have her sit on the normal plane seat. I'm wary of her sitting in her car seat for long periods of time but think it may be more comfortable for her? Does anyone have any recommendations for what's best for a 1 year old? Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: Chickoin
Date Posted: 08 January 2011 at 12:52am
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I was thinking good and hard about taking Jody's carseat on our last flight to NZ but changed my mind due to the fact that it would be a pain to carry around the airports, she would be able to kick the seat/tray in front of us (although this may not be a problem with a 1yr old?), and I figured we could make her more comfortable without it.
I am glad we didn't take it on board, it was easier to soothe her without the carseat in the way, she was small enough to lie down with her head on my or DH's lap. -------------   
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Posted By: Leahsmummy
Date Posted: 08 January 2011 at 7:25am
We went to brisbane in October DD had just turned two and we took her carseat on the plane and im SOO glad we did. She was just so much more comfy in her seat then in a "big" seat all to herself, it was abit of a pain carrying it round the airport but not to bad coz it gave DD samething to do while waiting (she loves playing in hers  )
It has to have NZ/Auzzie standards to be able to go on. Also has to be a proper carseat not a booster. Also when we were checking in I just asked to confirm it even tho I knew it was fine, and if I didnt know the "rules" I think they were going to say no. I said to the lady Me: "so we are fine to take this on, arent we?" Airport lady: "ummm oh ummm not really" Me: "but it says the the website the if it meets NZ standards then we can" Airport lady: "Oh yes thats fine then" !!!! I think they dont really like it coz it mite mean more work for them, but they dont have to do a thing extra. -------------   
Angel Baby Dec 09, We will love you forever. |
Posted By: Henna79
Date Posted: 08 January 2011 at 7:48am
We flew to wellington recently and DH did a bit of research on the whole carseat thing as we wanted to take A's with us and it said he needed to be in it on the plane but we get to the airport and they say it has to go into the hold so yeah it went on the plane instead (stupid cow didn't put it in a bag either and it got ripped  )
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Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 08 January 2011 at 8:11am
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I've taken one on board when I had a nearly 2 yr old and a baby. Jetstar were ok with it...after I handed over the print out from their website. They even tethered it! He was so much happier in his seat and went to sleep! But we flew home with pacific blue and they wouldnt allow it on....even though it says they must be in a car seat if under 2...go figure!
Another time we were on a flight that diverted to Invercargill and we had to be bussed up to Queenstown, I asked the bus driver if I could put the seats onthe bus and he agreed. That made life so easy...they couldnt get out and move around and therefore slept! So there are positives to the carseat while travelling. For us, it was the familiarity and the strappedinability! |
Posted By: luci21
Date Posted: 08 January 2011 at 9:21am
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Great thanks for the replies!
Think I'll phone the airline, Emirates, and see what they say about taking it on. If it does have to go in the hold does it just go as it is or do we have to take some sort of bag for it? I really don't want it getting damaged! |
Posted By: Two_Puddle_Ducks
Date Posted: 08 January 2011 at 11:34am
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Couldn't recommend it more. It makes such a big difference them being in a carseat. They can use the try, they can see the tv screen if there is one and they are a lot more supported.
You do need to make sure that you carseat is aircraft rated. Sometimes you need to be a little pushy to get them on the planes but if the seat is rated for air travel they can't really turn you down and its to there benefit to let you anyways. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 08 January 2011 at 12:44pm
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Hmm, what is the thing about they have to be in carseats if under 2??? I didn't know this, I thought they could just be on your lap with the extra seat belt thingy?? I am gonna have to check this all out sigh.... ------------- 
 Oct 11
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Posted By: luci21
Date Posted: 08 January 2011 at 6:44pm
I don't think they have to be in car seats you can have them on your knee if you want. I think the car seat's optional 
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Posted By: Nutella
Date Posted: 08 January 2011 at 10:19pm
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Oh my gosh i am more confused than ever as now i have had a look and if they have their own seat then they must be in a car seat on some airlines like air nz but they dont seem super fussy about the standards (or the nz standards are fine) but then virgin blue says that the current car seats in aussie are not to standard so they cant be used! thus not allowed to use but they have some other car seat you can use that of course you cant use in the cars over here.....so what the!!!!
Talk about lame. -------------
Oct 11
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Posted By: luci21
Date Posted: 09 January 2011 at 8:21am
| This might be a stupid question but what's the best way to carry a seat round the airport? |
Posted By: kiwi2
Date Posted: 09 January 2011 at 11:10pm
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Get a bag strap. I haven't done it but seen it done. One for a long sports bag with clippy things on the end and see if you can clip it so that it goes diagonally over your shoulder. Like one of those back packs that have a single diagonal strap. You can get a back pack bag for car seats too.
I am in the camp that as you are going long haul to the UK maybe not the best thing to take on the plane. You are so pressed for space it may take up more room and become more of a hindrance. I have done numerous long haul trips with babies and toddlers and never taken the seat onboard. So not really a balanced view. For a short trip across the ditch I wouldn't hesitate but long haul is completely different. |
Posted By: luci21
Date Posted: 12 January 2011 at 10:28am
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Yes I was wondering if it would get in the way on such a long trip. We need it when we get to the other end though so not sure what's best at all!
Did your baby sleep on you or on the seat when you flew long haul? |
Posted By: yermasyada
Date Posted: 12 January 2011 at 11:11am
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Hi,
No experience with car seats on planes I'm afraid, but just wanted to say that I think it could be a PITA on a longhaul trip. If you're flying Emirates, then I'm guessing you'll be stopping at Sydney and Dubai, and each time you stop, you have to go through security checks (laptops out of bags, strollers collapsed etc etc) which is bad enough when you're carrying the bare minimum, let alone extra seats. Having just flown to the UK for Christmas (it took 4 days on the outbound due to snow closing LHR!) this is all very fresh in my mind *shudder* On a positive note, my wee boy was a star 
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Posted By: tishy
Date Posted: 12 January 2011 at 11:21am
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I've flown to Ireland twice with twins at 10months and just over 2 year old. (I did the return leg of the second trip solo with them).
I'm in the 'too much hassle camp' as well. For me carrying as little as possible made the trips much easier. |
Posted By: luci21
Date Posted: 12 January 2011 at 7:43pm
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Thanks so much for the replies!
I'm starting to think maybe not take it on the plane but put it in the hold. Any other tips for flying long haul would be gratefully received! |