I don't know about int'l, but this is not true for domestic, at least on UA and AA. More importantly, federal regulations do not require a car seat for an infant in a separate seat (although it is suggested). It's common sense -- if a lap child is allowed, why would a car seat be required for a separate seat? (purchased or not)

If there is an empty seat next to the adult (by chance or because an infant fare was purchased), F/A's prefer a large child under two (e.g., 12-23 months) to be in a separate seat with a seat belt than to be held in the lap.

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Everyone, please keep in mind that an airplane is **not** an automobile, and when the extremely rare survivable plane crash occurs, it doesn't crash like a car. Turbulence is far more frequent than plane crashes, and injuries from turbulence can be prevented with a simple lap belt.

If the child is old enough to sit up straight, you do not need a car seat, because you're not in a car! If you're driving to/from the airport at both ends, check the car seat. It is such a hassle to drag a car seat all the way through the airport, and then drag it onto the plane, bumping everyone in aisle seats along the way.

If you're SO concerned about safety that you don't believe a lap belt for a 22 month old child is sufficient, don't even think about leaving the house. Stay in a well-padded room, where you're nice and safe.

 

Carseat in a plane? Its like those floatation devices which are only good if the plane does not crash (the only security that it provides is the psychological one, never heard of anyone surviving a swim in Atlantic with an airplane floatation device). The only security device that might work on a plane is a parachute which no airline seems to provide!
Have some faith and just fly, will ya? Its a pain carrying the baby/booster seat. Just get an extra seat for the baby so that you needn't carry him on the lap all the time (I recently flew 19 hours -2+9+8 with an 8 month old baby in my lap in economy, it was not a very relaxing journey).

 

Beyond the safety aspect I have to disagree with those that say leave the car seat at home. I use the strolex sit and stroll collapsible car/air seat and have done approx. 20+ Trans oceanic trips with infant ( from 6 months to 23 months). It is great for those long walks to the gate in the London airports. In addition it also serves as a comfortable sleeping seat for the infant, much more comfortable and secure than an economy AA seat or BA seat. Lastly, and most importantly the infant is not able to constantly wriggle out of the seat and is used to being in it. I tried a few hours of just sitting my child in the regular seat with a lap belt and not only was she able to unclip herself at will she kept sliding under it and getting free. With the strolex the buckle can be turned so that it can not be opened by the toddler but easily by the adult and as the infant is used to being in the car seat they are not always trying to get out of it as they are the lap belt(I am very lucky in that my child does not cry and fuss during flight but I also work hard pre flight at scheduling her naps and flight times and in-flight by keeping her amused and by letting her out of the car seat at regular intervals). When she is all strapped in safely in her car seat I am comfortable getting up and going to the restroom for a couple of minutes (I usually sit at the back of the plane right in front of the restrooms in ), I could never do that if she was in a regular seat with a lap belt. As far as bumping people in the aisles, I have seen it but in my case being able to board with status and sitting in economy helps as does the fact that I am 6'4" and am able to clear most people easily with the car seat.

Bottom line: no way I would have been able to do all that travelling with such a young child with out the amazing strollex collapsible car/flight seat. For the person who did a 19 hr journey with a infant on their lap, my hat is off to you sir. No mean feat!

Incidentally I prefer to travel in economy with my infant as I find the environment to be less hostile and the seats better suited for the car seat. Only time that I fly business (or club class) is when I am flying BA intra Europe (BA are far behind AA when it comes to knowing what to do with these flight seats and have had many problems, plan carefuly when using them, AA is great)

May your travels with your young ones be as enjoyable as mine have been with mine!

 

Anybody traveling with a kid or kids should be in economy! PERIOD!!! Screaming kids should NOT be allowed to infringe upon the peace and quiet of first and business class passengers.

 

Also anyone who needs to jabber on the air phone or dictate memos and letters should be in economy so as not to disturb the peace and quiet of the business passengers.

 

Mvic.. I did use a stroller which was very useful in LHR. I did not know about 'Strolex'. I would definitely think about it the day I can afford an extra seat for the baby. For me, saving $1500 was more important than the comfort in one trip.

 

I also use a stroller for my 23 month old son. Before boarding, I take him out, fold the stroller, attach the gate-check tag, and drop it off at the end of the jetway.

Upon deplaning, I retrieve the stroller, open it, and place the child in it. Works great! :-)

 

I have to agree with Raven 1. If your child is one of the angelic few, and will stay quite for the entire trip, then great. If however he falls outside that very narrow field, the economy is the only place to go. You gave up peace serenity and comfort, the moment conception took place.

I find that kids find a sense of adventure flying in the cargo hold.

Jon

 

Raven, take it up with the airlines. Until they stop selling me the tickets I shall travel with my infant in whichever class I deem fit. Good luck

 

On a recent flight from LAX to HKG in business class, a couple was flying with their daughter, probably less than 3 years old, in business class. They had the foresight to request bulkhead seats, on the side of the aircraft. That meant the child couldn't possibly bang on another passenger's seat.

She was an angel for much of the trip, asleep on her father's lap. When she was awake, the parents entertained her with some toys and let her move around in the space between the seat and bulkhead. When she got bored and wanted to walk further, the father got up and held both her hands and walked with her down the aisles.

So while there were some occasions when the high pitched scream of a displeased child interrupted the calm in the cabin, I didn't mind at all. The parents clearly did everything possible to accodomate both the child and fellow passengers.

After seeing that performance, I think it's a wonderful idea that airlines reserve the bulkhead seats for parents travelling with children.