Anyone had any experience of taking a car seat on a plane?

[jochick]

Just wondering if anyone has taken a car seat on a flight recently. We are flying with BA and I've noticed that we can take a car seat as checked baggage for our 2 yr old.

Our car seat is a maxi cosi suitable for 9mths to 4 yrs type so quite bulky.

Any recommendations for packaging? Is there a problem with them getting damaged? Has anyone kept it with them on the plane for their child to sit in, because I've also heard you can do this.

Any advice gratefully appreciated.

[realthomo]

We have always taken our car seats on the plane, and we have 3 children in them! Two of them are very very bulky seats and fit within the seats fine. They have a better ride as they are more comfortable, and we usually put a blanket from the top of their seat across to the seat in front so they are in darkness, as the lights are annoying. As long as the seat meets all safety requirements (and I know for a fact it won't on Qantas, but will with BA) you should be fine. Just a consideration, ask if you can get a bulkhead seat so that your child has more leg room and you have more room to lift them in and out. We always get bulkhead.

Good luck.

[QRM]

We had no problems with car seats, but there again we always paid for an extra plane seat for the car seat/baby to sit on.

Its the stroller we had a bit more hassle with, it depends on the mood of the guy at the door and the space available, they sometime allow us to carry the pram on as hand luggage, other times have to stash it in the hold which is a pain as they empty the whole plane first before you get your pram back.

Best bet is to call and get them to confirm it will be OK

[realthomo]

We had no problems with car seats, but there again we always paid for an extra plane seat for the car seat/baby to sit on.

Its the stroller we had a bit more hassle with, it depends on the mood of the guy at the door and the space available, they sometime allow us to carry the pram on as hand luggage, other times have to stash it in the hold which is a pain as they empty the whole plane first before you get your pram back.

Yes, we also buy a seat for our kids, no matter what age (even when they were babies). With Sing airlines, it is only about $150 more to buy a seat for a child instead of a bassinet! Makes more sense to have a seat and put them in a car seat. At least you don't have to take them out of the seat every time there's turbulence.

As for the pram, we always check it in at the gate and it is there waiting for us when we get off. We have never had to wait too long for it, and to be honest we are so slow with our kids that the extra time waiting doesn't make much difference.

[sierra2469alpha]

Jo - as ex tech crew for an Aus airline, I'd suggest you pack it pretty well, no matter which airline you're flying. Damaged luggage will occur regardless if it goes into the hold as free baggage (i.e. on a 737 or similar), or into a container (i.e. a 747).

As an alternative, if you are renting a car at your destination I think the major car rental firms offer a baby seat/capsule these days??? Not sure if that helps! Mr. P

EDIT: Umm, if you are using a baby seat in an airline seat you MUST check with the airline first. The airline I flew for never allowed baby seats/capsules as they can get stuck in aisles and in between seats.

Secondly, I'd suggest you check that the baby seat will fit out of the emergency exits - I guess that piece of advice is for your own peace of mind.

[endacotta]

Hi Jo

When we came to Singapore we wrapped our little one's car seat in some clear wrapping and some bubble wrap to protect it and put our address on the outside. We also had our older one's booster seat. They took both no questions asked and we checked them in with our baggage. It also did not count towards our baggage allowance. We also took our pushchair to the gate with no problems and it is quite a bulky pushchair!
FYI - we travelled with Singapore airlines.

HTH

Anita

[jochick]

Thanks all for your advice. Will certainly pack it well if it goes in the hold. Not sure if my youngest will sit in it on the plane, as he always wants to be like the older two!

Cheers

[scoobydoo]

when we flew singapore 2 months back i wasnt allowed my backwards facing car seat. i found that weird...

[durain]

when we flew singapore 2 months back i wasnt allowed my backwards facing car seat. i found that weird...

what airline was that? a rear facing seat should be a lot smaller than front facing, so just curious why they wont allow you to take it in.