[samui]

We are flying United to the states soon and have a 4 year old and a will be 11 month old. We have purchased seats for both.
I keep hearîng people talk about using a car seat inboard however I have never seen this done.

Just looking for anyone who has done so and what ÿou would suggest? Is it worth the effort and what one did you use?

For those who have not will it be possible for 11 month old to sleep in the seat ?

[2bundles]

Yes. We flew to Vancouver when dd was 3. She slept 7hrs straight in the car seat.

She seemed to accept that she couldn't go anywhere, so just sat. It also meant she was at the right height to see the seat back screens. Also meant we could sleep even if she was awake as she couldn't go anywhere.

We did Europe when DS was 13mths. We didn't buy a seat. He used the bassinet (he was small). It wasn't great but we survived.

Another advantage is that they are not throwing the seat around in the hold.

You should check with the airline that your seat is acceptable. Also make sure they are aware you are bringing it. We flew Qantas and an ''engineer" had to come to fit the seat!!

Another thing to consider is you may have to carry it a fair way. We had to transit in LA and they made us take the seat with us even though we were getting back on the same plane.

[auldlangsyne]

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This post has been edited by auldlangsyne: 03/03/2013, 04:53 PM

[hunter4]

About 2 years ago I flew (qantas) from Boston to Sydney and back with my 18 month old DS and 3 year old DD. I took a car seat for DS as I was by myself and I figured It would be necessary for dealing with the two kids.

I found it worked really well. As per PP DS slept brilliantly in his seat which made the whole flight much better - He was awake for only 5 hours of the 12 hour flight. He was happy to sit quietly for the time he was awake, for us it was well worth it. The only thing that I found was that we couldn't put the tray table down as the seat was too high.

We took the safe-n-sound compaq which fitted on the seat really well. We also used the gogo Kidz travel mate which was fantastic.

http://www.gogobabyz.com/product-i14550-c2...ravelmate_.aspx

I would really recommend it if you do decide to take the seat. We actually used it as a stroller at the airport, was able to wheel it right down the asile to the seat (can't do this with a wider seat than the compaq though).

I've found flying around the states that it very much the done thing over here (as opposed to in australia). In fact american airlines actually recommend that you do take a car seat for young children.

[kpingitquiet]

Absolutely worth it We used kiddo's carseat (she was 15mo at the time) for every leg of our trip. That's Adelaide > Sydney > LA > SF in one shot, then two US cross-country flights and a return flight home to Adelaide from LA. She has a SnS Premier and it fit every type of plane you can imagine.

It was fantastic. She had a familiar seat, she was able to recline more than the large seat would've allowed. She was safe and secure in the method most recommended by the FAA. What more could ya ask for?

If flying Qantas, you need to call to arrange prior approval. US airlines are fine with it but will look for a FAA sticker (it won't be there). At worst, a manager will come sign off on it. We had zero problems and flew on roughly 6 different airlines. Make sure you check in at all your gates early, and request to be the first ones on the plane so you don't delay entering passengers while you buckle in the car seat. Some gate agents gave us attitude about this but they quickly learned their mistake when we bbacked up foot traffic for 10 mins

My biggest recommendation is to take the GoGo Kidz Travelmate. This thing rocks. It's a wheely-cart attachment for your car seat. FANTASTIC! It made it super easy for us to navigate airports and gave her somewhere comfy to sit on long layovers. The cart/wheel attachment fits in every overhead bin we came across.

[vitaechel]

I really wish we had used one. DS (3yo) was fine on the trip to Hawaii as he slept most of the time, but the next 2 legs were awful (he was tired and over it despite having had a 2 day layover). He kept undoing his belt, kicking seats and generally being a pest.
Not all seats are accepted apparently and so I made the decision not to take our Aussie one (which would not necessarily be legal here anyway and we are here for good, so had to have one that was US approved). If you can take one absolutely do it!
They can sleep in the seats easily. My DD was only 2 months old and although we had prearranged for the bassinet (and arrived hours ahead to get it), they gave it to another passenger. She just slept in my lap instead (with infant belt). DS just curled up next to his daddy. I pretty much didn't sleep LOL

[Escapin]

So is there a list of OK car-seats somewhere? We have a Meridian Tilt and Adjust - is that OK? We fly Sydney to Perth regularly, and this would REALLY help!

[Bacongirl]

We've done the trip a number of times with and without seats.

Best thing ever was with the car seat. DS was familiar with the seat, in his head - carseat=seatbelt on, we could easily feed him, he slept lots. We even have photos of him sleeping in it in the transit lounge in LA.(4 hour stopover )

Wish they'd had the go-go things then, they look like they'd make it even easier!

Escapin, just give Qantas or Virgin or whoever you are flying with and they can give you the list.

[samui]

Thanks everyone!! Sounds like it is a good idea!

I also have a SnS meridian but apparently none of the SnS ones have the FAA approved stickers on them. We a flying United and when I rang them they said it must have this sticker..... So can we buy any seats in oz that have this or is the a way around it? I ideally don't want to bûy another seat!

I'm worried we will take a seat and it doesn't fit on the seat!! Ie. if we get Bulkhead so we can use a bassinet too aren't the seats more narrow? The meridian is quite wide isn't it.

For those who used the travel mate.... Didn't you also have a stroller with yôu? I want to take our Maclaren.

Where did you buy your travel mate?

[hunter4]

with regards to the FAA sticker requirement I just sent an email to Safe-n-sound with the serial number etc and they sent me a letter stating that the seat was approved for use on airlines. Whenever they did a check for the sticker (which they did do on each internal flight in the US) I just showed them that letter and they had no issues with it.

With regards to seat width if you measure the seat and call united with these measurements they'll be able to tell you if the seat will fit on their seats.

No I didn't have a stroller that I was taking but if you do want to take a stroller you can just check it in (part of the free luggage you can take with kids) then use the gogo mate in the airport.

This post has been edited by hunter4: 28/02/2013, 07:56 AM