Flying with 2 y/o--check the seat?

[newbymom05]

We're taking a 3 hr flight this week on American and can't decide whether to check the Britax Boulevard or put 2 y/o ds in it. Will a BB even fit? TIA, this is the first time we've traveled with the kids and I"m a nervous wreck.

[~savah~]

I have flown twice with DD since she has been two and we have brought the seat on both times. We have a marathon, which is the same shell as a boulevard so yours should fit. Besides the safety factor of your DC being in the seat, I think that they are way more comfortable. Also you never know how your seat will be treated when checked.

[newbymom05]

We planned on either using the seat or a CARE harness, so I'm mainly going on convenience/comfort as my deciding factors. I had been thinking no car seat would mean more room, but now I've realized we'll be flying during nap time, and I can't see him napping in a harness. Did you use your car seat RF or FF?

[~savah~]

We FF on the plane even though we RF in the car. I couldn't get the seat to fit RF. I'm not gonna lie it was a little bit of a PITA getting the seat on/off the plane, but it really was worth it for her to be comfy. Plus since she was in her seat I think it added that extra familiarity.

[stelly]

I don't think you are allowed to RF a car seat on a plane, only infant seats can RF, I think?

We flew with a just 2yr old from NJ to FL in April and the car seat was wonderful. In the past on our flights to England she had sat on our laps which was awful, this time she seemed to understand the deal and actually dozed off. Hurrah!

There should be an FAA sticker somewhere on your seat, or look in your online manual to see if it's okay for airline use. We have a Britax Diplomat, but our Maxi Cosi Priori is slimmer so we brought that with us. You might want to google your seat and the name of your airline and see if anything comes up, some seem to have width restrictions.

Have a nice trip.

[cedoreilly]

Having flown with two 2.5 year olds and no car seats (we had a one year old also and did not want to deal with 3 carseats in the airport), BRING THE SEAT!! We totally regretted not having seats for everyone. The older two did not understand at all the meaning of not undoing their seatbelts!

[tabrizia]

Originally Posted by stelly

I don't think you are allowed to RF a car seat on a plane, only infant seats can RF, I think?

All seats that can rear-face are allowed to rear-face on a plane as long as your child fits them correctly. DS used out Scenera on a plane rear-facing until he was 2 and outgrew it rear-facing. I actually find rear-facing easier, especially if it is what they are use to, plus you don't need to worry about them kicking the seat in front of them.

That being said, not all flight attendants are aware that a seat can be used rear-facing even for an older child. It is allowed though.


Also I would never check a car seat, I've seen how roughly luggage handlers handle luggage, I won't want my car seat being beat up like that, it could cause unseen damage to the seat.

[Lizafava]

For us it has depended on the child. DS1 was hysterical when I tried to bring the seat. He ended up in my lap the whole time anyway. But he was/is an intense kid and at the time did not fall asleep in his carseat, even in the car.

DS2 is easier and happier not being held. The seat works for him. I understand the safety issue, so would use the seat if it seems remotely plausible that your kid will sleep and be content in it.

I will also say that as a larger - size 16-20 - woman, the Britax Wizard (now the boulevard) seat *really* cramped my space.

[alegna]

We've flown a number of times with a rf blvd. Not a problem at all.

-Angela

[One_Girl]

I think it depends on if you are flying alone or with someone. I flew alone with dd a few times with luggage and a carseat and I really regretted not checking it all and just bringing dd. The last time I took the carseat she was sick and I had to carry her and everything else. After that I checked it, left it behind and borrowed one from family, or rented one from the car rental place when I got where I was going. It is so much easier to fly without it. The airplane isn't like a car when it comes to needing the carseat. It is very unlikely that you will get in a crash in an airplane and if you do the carseat will probably not be a lot of help, in fact it may be a hinderance (though it is such an unlikely thing that I don't think you should worry about it).