Anyone successfully RF a Foonf on Southwest?

TN2TX · Feb 18, 2014

I will be flying in a few weeks with my 6 month old in his Foonf. I want to be prepared and stash the RF'ing base in my backpack if there is no way in heck I will be able to get it installed RF. Thanks!

kaharris83 · Feb 19, 2014

TN2TX said:
I will be flying in a few weeks with my 6 month old in his Foonf. I want to be prepared and stash the RF'ing base in my backpack if there is no way in heck I will be able to get it installed RF. Thanks!

We have not flown with our Foonf but just got off a Southwest flight last night. I was very surprised to see how little room my CCO had RFing. It fit but very upright. In my mind there's now way the Foonf would fit RFing at all.

T4K · Feb 19, 2014

I know people have flown with foonfs and successfully FF them but I'd rather spend a little money and take something much less bulky with me.

YinzerMama · Feb 19, 2014

I would beg, borrow, or steal a bucket or other light weight seat to avoid this. Not only the install on the plane but lugging that seat around for travel.

Nedra · Feb 19, 2014

TN2TX said:
I will be flying in a few weeks with my 6 month old in his Foonf. I want to be prepared and stash the RF'ing base in my backpack if there is no way in heck I will be able to get it installed RF. Thanks!

I don't have a foonf and I am not a tech, so forgive me if I am confused...

You mention that you will be storing the RF base if you can't get it to fit RF. Is your plan to then use the Foonf forward-facing? My understanding is that you would not be allowed to do so, since your child does not meet the FF requirements of the seat.

TN2TX · Feb 19, 2014

Nedra said:
I don't have a foonf and I am not a tech, so forgive me if I am confused...

You mention that you will be storing the RF base if you can't get it to fit RF. Is your plan to then use the Foonf forward-facing? My understanding is that you would not be allowed to do so, since your child does not meet the FF requirements of the seat.

Well crap. I am confused now because I have seen several different and contradicting rules about flying with the seat. I've seen both what you said about always following the stickers on the seat and I have also seen 20lb+ (which he is) will forward face, regardless of age. I would much rather RF in a bulkhead row but I fear the chances of getting that seat are slim to none.

ketchupqueen · Feb 19, 2014

If you are on a US based airline (southwest) you must follow the directions of the seat for minimums to forward-face. While they may recommend 20-40 lbs. in a harness, they actually allow rear-facing as long as the seat can be installed and the child is within the limits.

Now, if you need a specific seat within the same class- like the bulkhead- they are required to make reasonable accomodations, including moving people to seat you there. Since Southwest has open seating, you can let them know as you board that your child's seat will only fit in the bulkhead row (if that is true) and they should move people to seat you there. (You may want to bring the FAA paper stating that they are required to do so in case you run into a non-accomodating flight crew, if you plan to do that...)

You might want to bring a different seat instead, like a Cosco Scenera, that will fit in any seat.

TN2TX · Feb 19, 2014

ketchupqueen said:
If you are on a US based airline (southwest) you must follow the directions of the seat for minimums to forward-face. While they may recommend 20-40 lbs. in a harness, they actually allow rear-facing as long as the seat can be installed and the child is within the limits.

Now, if you need a specific seat within the same class- like the bulkhead- they are required to make reasonable accomodations, including moving people to seat you there. Since Southwest has open seating, you can let them know as you board that your child's seat will only fit in the bulkhead row (if that is true) and they should move people to seat you there. (You may want to bring the FAA paper stating that they are required to do so in case you run into a non-accomodating flight crew, if you plan to do that...)

You might want to bring a different seat instead, like a Cosco Scenera, that will fit in any seat.

Thanks for the clarification!

We were prepared when we bought the Foonf to travel with it, despite its weight. We especially want it at this particular destination… the CO Rockies. The last time we were there, a nasty winter storm hit and turned the interstate into a demolition derby on ice. Several cars missed us by inches. We just feel better about the trip if LO is strapped in “the tank” (Foonf).

Thanks for everyone’s help. I will try to take pictures and post a follow up in case this ever comes up again.

Anyone successfully RF a Foonf on Southwest?

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