Airplane travel with convertible carseat

[nicola1975]

We're flying for the holidays with our 11 month old son. We bought him his own seat on the plane and will be taking his convertible carseat on the plane with us. Two questions: (1) any tips on how to carry the carseat around in the airport? It seems unwieldy! and (2) does it matter if he faces front on the airplane? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

If you bring a stroller, you can extend the straps and then hang the seat off the handles.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

We are traveling this month as well with our 10 month old. We bought a Go-Go Baby to which you attach the conv. car seat so you can roll the car seat like a stroller. We'll check our stroller with our luggage. Baby and I will fly one leg of the trip without Dad and what I can't figure out is how I'm going to install the car seat myself. Do I ask a flight attendant to hold baby? Install the car seat? Can I install car seat while baby is sitting in it (I think probably not).

I thought the convertible car seat was to be installed rear facing if that's how it is in your car.

[Anonymous]

If he's over 20 LBS, I would go ahead and do forward facing. Rear facing does not always fit (the person in front of you will definitely not be able to recline) the one time I did it with our roundabout it actually pushed on the seat in front of my son and that person wasn't happy, but I didn't really care. If you're flying an airline that will allow you to preboard, try it and see first--it is kind of nice because then your child can look at you.

For travelling through the airport, we bought a carseat bag and I just dragged it along the carpet. There are also wheeled bags you can buy.

[Anonymous]

I second the go go kidz cart. We use ours all the time with our Britax. I would practice taking it on and off at home so you are ready to do it on the plane in a short amount of time. You can get it off in about 45 seconds. I would also face the seat forward as it is hard to install rear facing on the plane. Some airlines will want to check the seat to make sure that it is approved for airline travel so make sure you know where it is written on the seat. As for getting in your child you can sit him in your seat while you install the seat. He will likely play with the seat belt or give him a small toy to occupy him while you strap in the seat. Ask to pre board so that you have time to get the seat in before everyone else is coming down the aisle.

[Anonymous]

I recently posted a similar question about a week ago... If you search this forum, it was called "Flying with toddler" or something like that... But anyway quite a few folks recommended a carseat bag that you can wear like a backpack. I've seen it for sale on Babycenter.com and it's a lot cheaper than the Go Go Kidz thing (which to me seems worth the cost-- about $100-- only if you'll be a somewhat frequent traveler).

[Anonymous]

I travel a lot with my son - without dad. I have the carseat bag and it worked great early on. I never had problems having one of the flight attendants hold my son...or another passengers from time to time for necessary bathroom break...as long as you feel comfortable.

One note about the carseat bag - get teh biggest one you can find - our first one did not fit our second car seat.. though that was a cadilac of car seats - very large.

[Anonymous]

Don't count on any help from flight attendants. At all. Especially at holiday time.
When I had to fly alone with my son I just propped him in the next seat while I installed the car seat--you could probably do it with baby in it though.