Hellobee Boards

Hmm... I'd probably try to do something like this:

Let's assume these are the seats:

(Window) A B C (Aisle) D E F (Window)

A: Infant
B: Parent
C: Toddler
D: Parent

And then parents can switch seats occasionally. If you decide to get the toddler a car seat, I'd do this:

Layout:

(Window) A B C (Aisle)
(Window) D E F (Aisle)

A: Child
B: Parent
D: Child
E: Parent

Hm I would lean towards baby, parent, toddler and parent across the aisle.

Or baby, parent then in the row behind toddler, parent.

I"ve never seen anyone use a car seat on the airplane. We check ours.

@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.

@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.

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.

See if your airline offers bassinets. They clip into the wall on the bulkhead and they're a lifesaver on long flights.

@Foodnerd81: @catgirl: I brought my chicco keyfit on the plane and both times the passenger in front of the seat was able to recline.

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.

For us with twins and if we buy two seats, we would do...

*window* \ car seat \ parent \ stranger\ *aisle* \ stranger \ parent \ car seat \ *window*

This allows each parent to be next to my babies so I can give them a bottle at takeoff and landing.

@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.

@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.

http://kidsflysafe.com/cares-overview/

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.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly%5Fchildren/

@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.

@Foodnerd81: Sorry, I don't mean the thread jack!