Question - carseat during flight

DallasMommies · Apr 4, 2007

In regard to some other posts I've read, why would you put a carseat RF in an airplane?

Turbulence will be up & down motion, so it technically shouldn't matter if it's RF/FF. And it's not likely you'll have a front-impact or side-impact crash, which is what carseats are tested for, right? And if a plane crashes, the chance of the carseat saving the baby/child is slim to none. Seems like the only reason to use a carseat in a plane is to keep the little one restrained.

Not trying to be a smart alec, honestly wondering

scatterbunny · Apr 4, 2007

What about an emergency landing situation? Landing with turbulence? I'd want my baby RF in those situations.

UlrikeDG · Apr 4, 2007

The big reason is that most "crashes" involving airplanes actually happen on the runway. The other common scenario is survivable landings, which are rather violent, but not particularly lethal--as long as you're properly restrained.

Studies have actually shown that we'd all be safer rear facing in airplanes, but that many people find it disorienting, and so rear facing made evacuation afterward more difficult.

There's some great info here: Airline Travel and Child Safety.

o_mom · Apr 4, 2007

I would say that turbulance wouldn't matter much. However, any survivable plane crash is going to be a frontal collision since that's the way they go. Think runway slide-offs, like the one at Midway recently. No, in a TWA 800 or WTC it isn't going to make a bit of difference, but in the ones that could be survived by someone, I'm betting on RF being safer.

lovinwaves · Apr 4, 2007

I am thinking though there could be a hard landing, or the plane could nose dive to the ground. People have been known to survive plane crashes (my dad included). The forces are what concerns me. Also, I would think rear-facing the baby might be able to sleep better, and might be more comfortable.

DallasMommies · Apr 4, 2007

Thanks for your insight

UlrikeDG · Apr 4, 2007

Yes, and a child who is used to sitting rear facing in the car is probably going to do better rear facing on an airplane as well. I know the first few times my kids rode front facing, they complained about not knowing where to put their feet.

groovymom2000 · Apr 4, 2007

Not to mention, they can't kick the seat in front of them, which spares you from the wrath of the person in front!

I actually found it MUCH easier to deal with and entertain my children when they were RF on the airplane. My almost 3 yr. old can be challenging FF....

Question - carseat during flight

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