Flying to Europe - 3 questions...

Shaggy · May 30, 2011

My child is four and a half and we are soon to be flying to England. I guess the quick question is: Would you be happy to allow a child this age to fly without a car seat and to just use the airplane lap belt? I do this flight every year and I've always taken a carseat for her, but she's now in a frontier and I just can't imagine lugging that thing through the airport.

Second question: Can one use a booster on a plane? I seem to think the answer is no, but is there a difference between backless boosters and those with a back?

And finally: I will need a seat once I get to England. Thinking of buying one there - maybe a booster... or I seem to remember reading about a kind of travel carseat/booster that folds up??? Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Wondering if it is actually any good and how it would compare to a conventional one. ie: should I take one with me so I'm all prepared, or buy a regular one when I get there?? Any help would be appreciated.

Oh, DD is 35lbs and 43" tall.
Many thanks

Neatfreak · May 31, 2011

No replies yet?

I would be fine with one of my kids riding in the airplane seatbelt alone at 4.5. (Actually, I started letting DD1 do that when she was three, when the belt finally started fitting her).

You are remembering correctly - boosters are not approved for use in aircraft. It doesn't matter if they are the high-back variety or the backless kind.

Your child is a little smaller than what is usually recommended to be in a booster seat (about 40 lbs.). I wonder if a Ridesafer Travel Vest would be a good option for your trip?

An Aurora · May 31, 2011

No boosters on a plane, and personally I would not put my four year old in a lap belt. It's a matter of personal choice of course, but I just flew four flights with three kids and my poor five year old was miserable in just the lap belt. I actually considered buying her a Frontier just for the plane trip home. A CARES harness might work but if you need a seat at your destination.

My petite four year old rode in her Radian on the plane. While I was installing the seats she buckled herself into the lap belt and even with it as tight as it went it was too loose, and the huge buckle was on the middle of her tummy.

Posted by a robot and susceptible to unrelated and potentially inappropriate AutoCorrects.

ketchupqueen · May 31, 2011

CARES harness and RSTV would probably be the easiest option.

Adventuredad · May 31, 2011

Using a lap belt on a plane is perfectly safe which all stats, data and real life experience show. If your child prefers a car seat on the plane and will rest better it might be a good idea. Using a car seat only as a safety purpose is irrelevant.

Your main focus should be what to use on the ground. Bringing a seat might be a great idea if you will be using it on transport from the airport. But that is perhaps already taken care of?

Your daughter is 43 inches tall and 4.5 years old, she will be just as safein a high back booster compared to a FF harnessed seat. Weight of a child is not really relevant. A 35 lbs child is just as safe in high back booster as 45 lbs child. Belt fit is more important, this is not an issue at 43 inches for most seats.

A nice, cheap and safe hbb is Britax Adventure. Britax Evolva is also popular although a bit heavy IMHO. If you do the trip each year it might be a good idea to purchase an affordable hbb which can be used for many years.

Enjoy your trip!

Flying to Europe - 3 questions...

Shaggy

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Neatfreak

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An Aurora

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ketchupqueen

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Adventuredad

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