I have a ticket for Bethany my three year old and was wondering if anyone know if I had to have her in a car seat or could she just sit on the seat? If you don't know and know how I can find out then that would be great too.
Thanks

You can have her in the seat HOWEVER it would be much safer for her to be in the car seat.

1. In any turbulence you are assured she will not fly out of the seat belt, she is contained and won't be able to wiggle around it. The car seat will protect her side to side as well as up and down. Most children are not big enough to stay secure in an aircraft seat.

2. Aircraft seats are designed to break forward in a crash so the protective shell of the car seat is almost necessary for a child so they are not harmed by the seat itself.

When I flew they would allow parents to use booster seats if they put up a fight. We did have to inform the parents that the booster seats can actually harm a child in the event of a crash because the seat breaking forward can crush the child between the booster and the seat. Something to think about.

Larkin is always in her own seat as was Chase. They are always in a car seat. Just my opinion after 10+ years of flying.

We opted for the car seat on the airplane. (and we needed it for the rental car as well).

Southwest guidelines were, to put the car seat on a window seat, not the aisle, and we were not allowed to sit in the emergency exit row. They do not need to be inspected. Do check the back of your car seat to see if it is FAA approved (or you owners manual)

We saw a 3 year old sitting in a seat by himself, and on the aisle, and, yes, I agree, if there should be turbulance, a little one could get injured.

Didn't know about using the carseat on the plane. Austin would not sit still in the plane seat poor thing. My husband packed ours in a garbage bag and checked it in with the luggage so we could use in the rental car. I wonder if this allowed on all air carriers or within the US only?

Lizzie

Mom to Justin 10 and Austin (ds) 2

Lizzie,

I know it's allowed on British Airways, but the seat has to be FAA approved. We have a Britax and I know it has the FAA seal of approval. A friend of mine has a Sit 'n Stroll (which looks pretty cool for travel) and it's FAA approved as well.

Most every car seat manufactured in the US is certified. You will find a sticker on the car seat telling you it is.

The old fashioned booster seat that is plastic and has the bar that closes across the front is the kind that you can't use.

I guess my question is: Is it a personal preference or do they require a young child that are taking up a seat to be in a car seat? If it makes a difference we are going on Delta

It was a personal preference on United. Call Delta and ask them what their rules are.