https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 07:21:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455962 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:58:14 +0000 Astro Bee 2455962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tinyperson: Thanks for the link. Maybe something to consider when LO is (much) older! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455808 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 19:06:58 +0000 Foodnerd81 2455808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: not thread jacking- this is good info! I had heard the size issues but never really looked into it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455771 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 18:17:33 +0000 tinyperson 2455771@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: <a href="http://csftl.org/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-the-csftl-guide-to-safe-air-travel-with-children/#caresharness" rel="nofollow">http://csftl.org/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-the-csftl-guide-to-safe-air-travel-with-children/#caresharness</a></p> <p>CSTFL is made up of car seat techs and is a best practice group. I trust them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455768 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 18:14:39 +0000 Astro Bee 2455768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tinyperson: That's interesting. Do you have a reliable accredited source for that? Simulated air crash safety tests? I know it is not rated for automobile use. I'm not being snarky, and I only ask because I was considering buying one for LO in a couple of years. We travel a lot, and I like the thought of having a lighter option to a car seat, assuming it was as safe. </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: Sorry, I don't mean the thread jack! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455758 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 18:03:02 +0000 tinyperson 2455758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Astro Bee: actually all the car seat safety techs say the cares harness is only effective at 40lbs despite what cares says it's rated for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455756 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 17:59:09 +0000 Astro Bee 2455756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: I looked into CARES and it's rates for kids over 1 year, between 22 lbs and 44 lbs, up to 40", so your toddler should be fine. </p> <p><a href="http://kidsflysafe.com/cares-overview/" rel="nofollow">http://kidsflysafe.com/cares-overview/</a></p> <p>Also, the aircraft seat belt is only recommended to be used by children over 40 lbs. Perhaps this is what @Tinyperson was referring to? I can't imagine the FAA would recommend it if it wasn't safe and didn't properly restrain the child. </p> <p><a href="http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly%5Fchildren/" rel="nofollow">http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly%5Fchildren/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455655 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:41:09 +0000 yellowbird 2455655@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I flew with my daughter when she was 22 months in a car seat and we put her in a middle seat no prob </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455643 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:30:59 +0000 Astro Bee 2455643@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: My understanding of CARES is that it holds the child in the seat better than the seatbelt alone. I know there is a minimum size/weight requirement. @tinyperson sounds like she has more experience with it. I just know of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455625 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:20:42 +0000 kiddosc 2455625@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: We just flew with our three year old in November and he kept kicking the seat in front. Not because he was intentionally kicking, but since his knees didn't really bend over the edge of the seat his feet were just sticking out and bumping the seat every time he moved. There's just so little legroom! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455613 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:11:27 +0000 Foodnerd81 2455613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: @kiddosc: interesting. We have Graco Snugride, the smallest version, so it's possible the person would be able to recline still. I don't think the toddler would kick on purpose, but you never know... She will certainly be louder. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455594 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:00:24 +0000 kiddosc 2455594@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do two windows and two middles, but I would put the toddler BEHIND the infant. I think a fellow passenger would be much less annoyed about not being able to recline than having their seat kicked the whole time. When you're using a carseat their little legs stick out and hit the seat in front of them just right. So even if they aren't intentionally kicking, any movement will bump the seat in front. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455589 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:58:35 +0000 BSB 2455589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: @catgirl: I brought my chicco keyfit on the plane and both times the passenger in front of the seat was able to recline. </p> <p>My last flight I had to combine two reservations and I mentioned that I had twins (one with their own seat and the other was a lap infant). They didn't say it specifically on the phone but when I got to the airport to see if I could get a free seat for my other baby, they said that my row had been blocked. So both babies were able to sit in their car seats. It wasn't a full flight and we ended up getting a full row to ourselves. We were in the second to last row and it was so nice being so close to the bathroom. We were in the middle of the plane on the first flight and trying to juggle a baby and diaper change stuff was a struggle. I should have brought a small bag to bring the diaper supplies to the bathroom to free up my hands.</p> <p>For us with twins and if we buy two seats, we would do...</p> <p>*window* \ car seat \ parent \ stranger\ *aisle* \ stranger \ parent \ car seat \ *window*</p> <p>This allows each parent to be next to my babies so I can give them a bottle at takeoff and landing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455580 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:53:55 +0000 psw27 2455580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do window middle in 2 rows in front/behind each other. I would probably put the toddler in front of the infant to avoid the no recline issue. Unless your toddler might kick, then I would switch it and the person in front of you can decide if they would rather recline or be kicked :silly: </p> <p>I would probably bring a car seat for your toddler cause I think it will keep her still and she might pass out. I don't think I could keep my LO sitting in a seat otherwise! He is really wild though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455565 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:44:57 +0000 erinbaderin 2455565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>See if your airline offers bassinets. They clip into the wall on the bulkhead and they're a lifesaver on long flights. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455053 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:24:25 +0000 Foodnerd81 2455053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tinyperson: ok then definitely not worth it for my 29 lb 2 year old! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455051 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:23:37 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2455051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do two windows and two aisles. You might luck out with an empty middle and if not a stranger will gladly move to window or aisle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455008 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:07:35 +0000 tinyperson 2455008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: re Cares, it really only fits kids at about 40lbs (even though it's minimums are lower, it just doesn't do much till 40lbs) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2455002 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:06:08 +0000 Foodnerd81 2455002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.shinerbock: will airlines let you book seats not next to your small children? Can I put the toddler in the back of the plane and sit in the front? :silly: </p> <p>@Astro Bee: so, what is the real purpose of the Cares system? Just holds small children better than a seatbelt alone? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454997 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 11:03:51 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2454997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would book 2 windows and 2 aisles and hope no one takes the middles. You can always trade out once you are on the plane. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454966 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:54:16 +0000 Astro Bee 2454966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. D: We've always flown with LO as a lap infant, and checked his infant seat and stroller at the gate. We were fortunately on 2 different flights to have an empty seat next to us (not a full flight), and were able to bring the infant seat onboard for him. I mostly see lap infants, but I've seen others with car seats onboard, as well. </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: Have you considered renting or buying the CARES system, since you will have a seat on the other end to use for your toddler? I'd probably be easier and cheaper than buying a new car seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454950 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:47:47 +0000 tinyperson 2454950@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: that's the configuration we're planning on when we fly this summer...each kid will have a seat and a car seat. DD1 was pretty good about not kicking the seat last time we flew (except inadvertently). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454949 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:47:14 +0000 Foodnerd81 2454949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. D: well planning to bring the infant car seat so I can put her down. And we are traveling for DH's work so they are paying for her ticket. :) The only reason I would consider bringing a seat for the toddler is so she might sleep in it, since she does fall asleep in the car. But I'm guessing she would be too excited to sleep anyway. </p> <p>@catgirl: good point about the recline! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454947 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:45:50 +0000 mediagirl 2454947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do two aisle and middles. We used to do that when we were younger. As we got older, my mom would sit with us in a three-set and dad would sit by himself on the other aisle. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454946 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:43:53 +0000 Mrs. D 2454946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I"ve never seen anyone use a car seat on the airplane. We check ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454939 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:39:51 +0000 regberadaisy 2454939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: hm that's a good point. But I was also thinking about the toddler kicking the seat in front. Lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454937 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:38:53 +0000 regberadaisy 2454937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hm I would lean towards baby, parent, toddler and parent across the aisle.</p> <p>Or baby, parent then in the row behind toddler, parent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454936 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:38:46 +0000 catgirl 2454936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do two sets of window and middle. Put your toddler in front of your infant because the seat will likely not be able to recline due to the infant seat behind it - which won't be a problem for your toddler. </p> <p>No personal experience with this, but this is what I hear recommended a lot in this scenario. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454931 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:37:30 +0000 Adira 2454931@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm... I'd probably try to do something like this:</p> <p>Let's assume these are the seats:</p> <p>(Window) A B C (Aisle) D E F (Window)</p> <p>A: Infant<br /> B: Parent<br /> C: Toddler<br /> D: Parent</p> <p>And then parents can switch seats occasionally. If you decide to get the toddler a car seat, I'd do this:</p> <p>Layout:</p> <p>(Window) A B C (Aisle)<br /> (Window) D E F (Aisle)</p> <p>A: Child<br /> B: Parent<br /> D: Child<br /> E: Parent </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454920 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:34:34 +0000 Foodnerd81 2454920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also any general tips and tricks for flying cross country with two are welcome, but I know there are loads of posts already about that so I'll be searching them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/airline-seating-for-family-of-four#post-2454917 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 10:33:38 +0000 Foodnerd81 2454917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Flying two parents, 2.5 yo, and infant with car seat in her own seat, how would you book tickets. I am assuming Dh will sit with the toddler (no car seat, we are renting one at our destination) and I will sit with the baby. I understand the car seat has to be next to the window, right? If it's a standard 3 seats on either side of an aisle, how would you try to book your seats? </p> <p>Also if we did decide to buy a travel car seat for the toddler that has to go in a window too, right? Recommendations for an inexpensive light seat that's easy enough to install? We borrowed a friends cosco scenera last time and it was a pain to install, though she was RF then and FF now. </p> <p>Thanks! </p>