Diaper Swappers

AugustHope · 09-06-2012, 01:15 AM

Our 4 year old obviously needs to still be in a carseat. She uses a booster seat in my husbands vehicle currently. We will be flying on US Airways in a few days and then renting a car. I really don't want to rent a car seat from the rental company, but I also don't want to check a used carseat for $25 each way. Do airlines allow you to carry on booster seats to use while in the plane?

hopetc · 09-06-2012, 01:36 AM

No, you cannot use a booster seat on a plane. Call the airline to see if a booster costs anything to check (a low back booster would be easy enough to carry on but not use). I believe carseats can be checked for free??? What seat does she use in your car? Any reason you don't want to bring that?

AugustHope · 09-06-2012, 01:45 AM

Mine is a huge thing. I don't know what the name of it is, but I am not about to carry it through an airport. She rides very little in dh car. She has probably used it 2 times. We almost always take my van. I should add to, that our vehicle will not be at the airport so its not like if they say we can't take it we can run it out the van. We are being shuttled from hotel to the airport.

AbbieJack · 09-06-2012, 03:48 AM

No you can not use a booster seat on an airplane as booster seats require a lap and shoulder belt. A 4 year old is not safe in a booster seat unless they can sit correctly 100% of the time, which is highly unlikely. Most children are not ready for a dedicated booster seat until closer to six or seven.

Computermama · 09-06-2012, 04:29 AM

Hang on - do you mean a booster seat with a harness, or one that uses the vehicle seat belt? Some people use the same term for both.

If it's using the vehicle belt then no. You don't use a booster on a plane because there is no shoulder belt. A small backless could be used as a carry on. Otherwise check with you airline, as it might allow carseats to be checked for free.

Sha-nanagins · 09-06-2012, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Computermama

Hang on - do you mean a booster seat with a harness, or one that uses the vehicle seat belt? Some people use the same term for both.

If it's using the vehicle belt then no. You don't use a booster on a plane because there is no shoulder belt. A small backless could be used as a carry on. Otherwise check with you airline, as it might allow carseats to be checked for free.

Yes, do check - most airlines allow necessary baby gear like strollers and car seats to be checked "at the gate" - in other words, the flight crew sticks it in a closet for the flight, or tags it and puts it in a special section of the cargo area, and has it waiting for you at your destination gate.

firstlynn · 09-06-2012, 08:06 AM

carseats are checked in (either with other luggage) or gate checked for free...i have a four year old & would strongly recommend carrying a regular toddler car seat for use in the plane if possible, that is the safest way for kids to fly. free check in for baby gear (inc playpen!) in all the six major airlines we have flown in.

AugustHope · 09-06-2012, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Computermama

Hang on - do you mean a booster seat with a harness, or one that uses the vehicle seat belt? Some people use the same term for both.

If it's using the vehicle belt then no. You don't use a booster on a plane because there is no shoulder belt. A small backless could be used as a carry on. Otherwise check with you airline, as it might allow carseats to be checked for free.

She uses one with a harness. We have all types of carseats--probably 8 of them, all purchased within the last 2-3 years as we are foster parents. We have a small one that uses the vehicles restraints as well.

canadianbakers · 09-06-2012, 09:58 AM

If it's a forward facing seat with a harness that can also be used as a booster it may be used on the plane as a harnessed seat.
If it's used as a booster seat (she sits in the seat but buckles in with the seat belt), it can't be used on the plane.

We've taken a booster seat on the plane with us and just stowed it overhead - we are allowed 2 carry-ons per seat.
We've checked seats with the luggage before - there is no charge. Travelling with a child allows you to check a car seat free, in addition to your one allowed piece of checked luggage.
We've gate-checked seats as well (you get it to the door of the plane, leave it with a tag, they put it in the plane, and when you get off it's waiting at the door for you) - this was only because I was in a big hurry and only had carry on items. It was free as well.

Hillargh · 09-06-2012, 10:00 AM

If it meets carry on size limitations then yes, you can carry it on. However there are no booster seats that are approved for vehicle use that are also approved for air travel use.

ETA: I should say, while being /used as a booster/.

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09-06-2012, 01:15 AM	#1
AugustHope Approved as buyer only due to past issues. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: midwest Posts: 1,292 Ratings: 69 Feedback: 99%	Booster seat on an airplane...do we have to check it? Our 4 year old obviously needs to still be in a carseat. She uses a booster seat in my husbands vehicle currently. We will be flying on US Airways in a few days and then renting a car. I really don't want to rent a car seat from the rental company, but I also don't want to check a used carseat for $25 each way. Do airlines allow you to carry on booster seats to use while in the plane? __________________ R, married to C, mommy to N, 10 and all boy and K, almost 4, a pink Princess who came to us through the miracle adoption and we are hoping for more!FET 9/13... and planning another FET in spring '13.

09-06-2012, 01:36 AM	#2
hopetc Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,785 Ratings: 50 Feedback: 100%	Re: Booster seat on an airplane...do we have to check it? No, you cannot use a booster seat on a plane. Call the airline to see if a booster costs anything to check (a low back booster would be easy enough to carry on but not use). I believe carseats can be checked for free??? What seat does she use in your car? Any reason you don't want to bring that? __________________ I'm searching the internet to earn free gift cards with Swagbucks! $80 of Amazon cards to date to help buy dh's school books!

09-06-2012, 01:45 AM	#3
AugustHope Approved as buyer only due to past issues. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: midwest Posts: 1,292 Ratings: 69 Feedback: 99%	Re: Booster seat on an airplane...do we have to check it? Mine is a huge thing. I don't know what the name of it is, but I am not about to carry it through an airport. She rides very little in dh car. She has probably used it 2 times. We almost always take my van. I should add to, that our vehicle will not be at the airport so its not like if they say we can't take it we can run it out the van. We are being shuttled from hotel to the airport. __________________ R, married to C, mommy to N, 10 and all boy and K, almost 4, a pink Princess who came to us through the miracle adoption and we are hoping for more!FET 9/13... and planning another FET in spring '13.

09-06-2012, 03:48 AM	#4
AbbieJack Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 3,706 Ratings: 48 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Booster seat on an airplane...do we have to check it? No you can not use a booster seat on an airplane as booster seats require a lap and shoulder belt. A 4 year old is not safe in a booster seat unless they can sit correctly 100% of the time, which is highly unlikely. Most children are not ready for a dedicated booster seat until closer to six or seven. __________________ Helpmeet to a great DH Mommy to A 7 , J 4, Angel baby 12-25-11 & W 4-16-13 --- 4-30-13

09-06-2012, 04:29 AM	#5
Computermama Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 12,878 Ratings: 30 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Re: Booster seat on an airplane...do we have to check it? Hang on - do you mean a booster seat with a harness, or one that uses the vehicle seat belt? Some people use the same term for both. If it's using the vehicle belt then no. You don't use a booster on a plane because there is no shoulder belt. A small backless could be used as a carry on. Otherwise check with you airline, as it might allow carseats to be checked for free. __________________ Becca, Wife to B (10/31/09!) and busy WOHM (on mat leave) to E (10/17/07). and C (04/26/12) I've earned over $450 in gift cards by searching with Swagbucks! Probably nak or fighting autocorrect on my iPod, excuse the typos!