Will he fit in the airplane seatbelt?

Unregistered · Aug 2, 2010

We will be flying soon and I am debating about a seat for my oldest, 3.5 yrs and 34 lbs. I am considering an RSTV for our destination instead of lugging another seat through the airports. At what size/weight do they usually fit on the airplane without a carseat?

thanks

MomToEliEm · Aug 3, 2010

I have allowed my kids to ride in airplane seats at age 4 (they were around 35 lbs then), and they fit well in just the lapbelt. With your child's size, he/she might fit fine, though hopefully some of the other users can chime in and tell you how some 3.5 year olds fit in just the lapbelt.

Eclipsepearl · Aug 4, 2010

Do you need the car seat at your destination? That would be my deciding factor-and has been. I took a car seat for my 5 1/2 year old last summer because we were then driving down the coast of California. She wanted her own seat so we took it on board.

The FAA says a car seat can be used to age 18, as long as it's FAA approved (most are) and still fits the child so you have the right. Never check a car seat under the plane as luggage. They get lost and broken all the time by the airlines and you probably wouldn't be compensated.

Unregistered · Aug 4, 2010

We do need a carseat, but I was thinking about an RSTV for our trip. I thought this would be easier to have one less carseat in the airport. But one of the deciding factors of RSTV vs carseat will be if he would fit in the airplane seatbelt. If he won't fit, it is the regular carseat for sure.

bensmom · Aug 4, 2010

My kids sat in the airplane seat around that age. Is it a new or older RSTV? Does he weigh enough for it? Also, will he keep the airplane seatbelt buckled?

I also found that it was helpful to take a small pillow or stuffed animal to sit next to my kids on the plane (outside of the belt). The seat is a little big for a kid used to a harnessed seat.

Athena · Aug 4, 2010

Unregistered said:
We do need a carseat, but I was thinking about an RSTV for our trip. I thought this would be easier to have one less carseat in the airport. But one of the deciding factors of RSTV vs carseat will be if he would fit in the airplane seatbelt. If he won't fit, it is the regular carseat for sure.

I'm still struggling with what to do about my 4 yo 35+ pound DD on the plane. I wish I knew and I'm running out of time. From what I've read, it sounds like a lot of people are comfortable with the plane belt only around this age/size. My only hesitation is that my DD is really long and thin so I wonder how well she'll fit. I do not think she will unbuckle since she loves to get buckled in the car.

bensmom said:
My kids sat in the airplane seat around that age. Is it a new or older RSTV? Does he weigh enough for it? Also, will he keep the airplane seatbelt buckled?

I also found that it was helpful to take a small pillow or stuffed animal to sit next to my kids on the plane (outside of the belt). The seat is a little big for a kid used to a harnessed seat.

FYI: I read a thread on here recently that someone was having trouble finding a size small in stock anywhere.

Will he fit in the airplane seatbelt?

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