https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:45:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane/page/2#post-2457120 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 15:19:35 +0000 Foodnerd81 2457120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: @Mrs. Toad: I also got asked if the seat was allowed on the plane. Only once, and I was asking if there was an empty seat we could sit next to so I could bring the seat on. They were like, no empty seats, but I don't even know if you could bring that anyway... It was the infant bucket seat too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane/page/2#post-2457071 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 14:48:54 +0000 rattles 2457071@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: ha, I have a few times. I use a GoGoBabyz with it, so LO can ride in it and because the seat is so narrow, I can just wheel her even once on the plane. The only part that's a pain and I don't recommend is using it RF. It doesn't fit on the GGB with the RF boot on, so you have to put it together on the plane and then install it, all while a toddler is crawling underfoot. For FF though, I'd do it again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane/page/2#post-2456756 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:33:34 +0000 JoJoGirl 2456756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have flown with LO maybe 6-7 times and have ALWAYS had a car seat. I've always sat next to it and it's never an issue. It has to be by the window. Big recommendation is make sure you board early so you can install it before everyone else gets on the plane. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane/page/2#post-2456749 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:31:52 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2456749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: That was certainly true. I think we got asked 6-7 times one way and 4-5 on the return trip. It was also unusual because DS was only 14 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane/page/2#post-2456716 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:21:32 +0000 birdofafeather 2456716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As an aside, clearly the check in people were not used to people bringing the car seat on the plane because every single person asked us about it and one lady was quizzing me about bringing it on! I was like, DD is 2, has her own seat and I'm bringing the car seat on as recommended. Lay off! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane/page/2#post-2456711 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 12:19:28 +0000 birdofafeather 2456711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rattles: you brought your foonf on the plane?! I bow down to your commitment! That thing is a beast!</p> <p>I sat next to DD1 in a FF combi cocorro and it was more compact than sitting next to DH! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane/page/2#post-2456405 Wed, 10 Feb 2016 09:55:28 +0000 looch 2456405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Those belts that attach your kid to your seat belt are actually worse, believe it or not. In the case where you're thrust forward, the weight of your body and seat would crush your child. They're safer as a projectile, I've been told. But safest, in a seat, restrained in an FAA approved car seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane/page/2#post-2456048 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 22:42:35 +0000 Foodnerd81 2456048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7: I know they say the bigger risk is during turbulence. But I've flown a lot and I can't say I have ever been on a flight where I would have been thrown during turbulence or I wouldn't have been able to hold my baby. Plus you are allowed to take them out of the seat during the flight anyway (though I guess usually when it's going to be bumpy the pilot knows and turns on the seatbelt sign). But in still not disagreeing that it's safer of course! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455949 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:48:31 +0000 loveisstrange 2455949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just ours, both her infant bucket and her convertible. We flew international and thought she would be more able to sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455947 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:47:48 +0000 Astro Bee 2455947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: @Littlebit7: Air New Zealand has the same. I thought it was so progressive. I'd never seen it before. Obviously a car seat is safer. But the attached infant belt is much better than unrestrained. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455938 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:39:30 +0000 Littlebit7 2455938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: I googled the seat belts. How great!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455924 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:28:38 +0000 psw27 2455924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Littlebit7 @rattles oh I know, I totally agree turbulence is a big concern with a lap infant. I was happy when Icelandair had special seat belts for the little guy this weekend to attach him to me. I don't know why all US carriers don't have them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455893 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:04:50 +0000 rattles 2455893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: @psw27: It won't help in a plane crash, but I think it's for turbulence and for the time on the runway at takeoff/landing when you're driving a couple hundred mph and even bags and flight attendants are stored/strapped in for safety. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455859 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 19:38:56 +0000 Littlebit7 2455859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: @psw27: I think the incidence of strong turbulence is MUCH more likely and common than a plane fully going down. I can easily think of 5 instances where if I wasn't wearing my seat belt I could have been tossed around while flying during turbulence or a sudden drop </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455650 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:36:20 +0000 psw27 2455650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: Yeah I totally agree.... I mean, not to be morbid but if the plane is going down, a piece of plastic strapped to a chair isn't going to do much. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455641 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:29:39 +0000 agold 2455641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: I never knew that it was strongly encouraged. For safety reasons, I think most "accidents" on planes would not be helped by a car seat. Maybe if there was some crazy turbulence that could throw a baby up to the ceiling of the plane? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455604 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:04:36 +0000 hilsy85 2455604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have always flown with a carseat for our todder, and have bought him his own seat. It is much more comfortable for everyone! HOwever, I just flew recently with my infant and she was a lap infant and it was fine. I think probably around the age of 9/10 months is when I would want to get the baby her own seat, when I think having them strapped down is just better for everyone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455598 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:02:09 +0000 Littlebit7 2455598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>the AAP and the FAA actually recommend you fly with your LO in a carseat.<br /> There are a lot of people who go bonkers nuts about this (I joined car seats for the littles on FB. they will castigate you if you suggest flying with a lap infant. Its hilarous).<br /> I am the "do whats best for your family" camp.<br /> But technically the safest thing is a carseat for baby on the plane or a harness for kids under 40lbs.. They literally become projectiles that you cannot control if there is turbulence potentially injuring both your kid and other passengers.</p> <p>I've never bought her a seat but have gotten really lucky with crossing my fingers for an empty seat and bringing her infant carrier on.</p> <p>The cosco scerena next is really highly recommended for travel and super lightweight and super easy on the budget ($44 from wally world) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455571 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:46:31 +0000 psw27 2455571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yoursilverlining: Yeah I just noticed the FAA website says "strongly encouraged" but I've definitely had some flight attendants be stricter than others. I flew Icelandair this weekend and they actually had these belts they required me to loop through mine to restrain my 18 month old who was flying on my lap. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455566 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:45:02 +0000 yoursilverlining 2455566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: Our LO has flown in her own seat (over 2) without car seat or CARES and we were just told to use the seat belt, same as everyone else. Interesting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455561 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:43:45 +0000 yellowbird 2455561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: I have and it wasnt bad at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455558 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:43:19 +0000 rattles 2455558@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've flown with our Keyfit and our Foonf. It doesn't affect anyone else, and it didn't affect me either, tbh. The Foonf is so narrow, and I had it RF, so it wasn't even next to my shoulder. I don't see the big deal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455557 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:42:22 +0000 psw27 2455557@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Sorry.... I should have added - a child under 40 pounds is "strongly encouraged" to have a car seat or CARES harness. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455556 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:41:35 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2455556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: We brought it to allow him to take a nap during the flight. We flew right at nap time. He only sleeps in a crib by himself or his car seat. I didn't think he would sleep well on me. It was also nice for safety. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455552 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:39:12 +0000 Foodnerd81 2455552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: what? If a 2 year old has his own seat, he doesn't need to be in a special car seat or harness, I thought? We've never been lucky enough to get an extra seat and always held her in our lap under 2. We will be flying in a few weeks and it will be the first time she has a seat, but I was planning to bring a car seat through the airport. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455533 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:28:12 +0000 psw27 2455533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: If a child has a seat for themselves, they are required to be in a car seat or CARES harness. Otherwise, you have to be holding them at all times (which is challenging!)</p> <p>ETA: According to the FAA website, car seats or CARES harnesses are "strongly encouraged" for a child under 40 pounds. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455515 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:25:13 +0000 psw27 2455515@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think they allow unaccompanied minors under age 5 so this scenario wouldn't be too likely since car seats have to go by the window. But, like others have said - I have more space next to me when my son is strapped into his car seat than when some adults try to use some of my seat space for themselves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455514 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 15:25:06 +0000 agold 2455514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've never seen a car seat on a plane but was thinking about it just recently as I flew while pregnant for the first time on Friday. What's the purpose of bringing it on the plane? Something other than safety? To keep the kid controlled? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455441 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 14:47:00 +0000 Mrs. Toad 2455441@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son was in a rearfacing Chicco NextFit and it hit my shoulders a bit. My husband didn't like to sit next to the seat though </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-sat-next-to-a-carseat-on-an-airplane#post-2455439 Tue, 09 Feb 2016 14:45:46 +0000 littlejoy 2455439@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I sit next to my LO everytime we fly (I'm in the middle seat). It's not bad at all. </p>