air travel with two-year olds

If you have traveled with the twins on an airplane, did you use their car seats on the plane? We have Britax marathons and I am wondering if they'll fit on the seats... Any insight is appreciated, and thanks.

 

We just got back from Hawaii and flew on Hawaiian Airlines. We took their Britax Marathons and they were fine. However, I would ask for a "seat belt extension." This will allow the seat belt to be longer and it will make it easier for you to remove the car seats later. We found out the hard way and it took us forever trying to unbuckle the car seats. The stewardess told us about it later so we requested it on the return flight and it worked out very well. This was our 1st flight with the twins so it was a new experience for us all. FYI - there isn't that much room in between the rows (but the car seats did fit) and the "tables" (sorry, I can't remember what they're called) are not able to fold down all the way so if you are having a meal during the flight, they won't be able to use them. You might also want to inquire about the bulk/overhead seats. They have more leg room. Have a safe trip and good luck!

 

Nope, we checked ours in and the boys sat in the seats. It was nice because they could lay down on my lap and it was much more roomy.

 

QUOTE(Moodyzblu @ Apr 21 2008, 10:29 AM) [snapback]731011[/snapback]
Nope, we checked ours in and the boys sat in the seats. It was nice because they could lay down on my lap and it was much more roomy.


They don't make you take them? I am going to GA in July and was wondering too...

 

Nope .. you dont have to take them.

 

QUOTE(Moodyzblu @ Apr 21 2008, 10:36 AM) [snapback]731014[/snapback]
Nope .. you dont have to take them.



Thank goodness, I just want to check them and have ONE less thing to cart around! Thanks Michelle!

 

I flew once with car seats and will never do it again. It was such a hassle and the airline personnel were no help at all. When I flew without the car seats, the kids were totally fine sitting on the regular seat.

 

When i flew in September, we were 4 adults so we took the car seats. It was a pain and on the flight home Dani did not want to sit in the car seat at all. DH wound up walking to the back of the plane and finding empty seats to sit in.
When we went to Florida in December, my FIL has car seats for the girls to use so we didn't bother with the taking our car seats. We had an hour delay on the ground in the plane before we took of. I can't imagine the girls being strapped in to their car seats teh whole time.

 

We are going to be flying next month for the first time. We plan to check our car seats at the gate.

 

Thanks everyone! I think we'll check the car seats and sit without them.

 

[SIZE=12pt]I just flew to Chicago from Maryland by myself with the twins. We had to change flights too in Detroit. I did NOT take the carseats. The twins were fine in the airplane. It was much better without dragging those heavy things. My parents had carseats waiting for us in chicago.

Bridget[/SIZE]

 

We flew a lot at that age and I definitely preferred to take them. It kept the kids contained on the plane and they knew that they had to stay in their seats. There was no extra wiggling, climbing, etc. My kids are really active so containment is key for us. They were closer to 4 when I stopped taking carseats on the plane. I even took the seats the two times I flew with them by myself. I think it really depends on your child's personality and activity level. If you think it would help your children with the flight, definitely take them.

As an added bonus, it's much safer for them to be in a carseat than a lapbelt during turbulence.

 

I alway took our seats. The boys love them and know the rules that i the seat they need to be strapped in and stay in them. Other wise the boys would be all over the plane. They are able to sleep in them with no problem. I figure f they can sit in their car seats in the car for a 3-4 hr drive, then they can do it in the airplane. I also feel it is so much safer to have the 5 pt harness in case of turbulance (which we did have in Dec and didn't get any beverage service on both flts)

 

We have done both. Last Fall I took the girls to Germany with me (10h flight +1h). Our flight was at night and the girls slept for the most part of the 10 hour flight. That was the good part but it was a big pain to get the car seats in the airplane and I had Go-go Babyz, no body helped. When my DH flew back with us we didn't use the car seats and it worked out great. We have not used the car seats since. In a couple of months we will be flying a lot again and I am planning on checking the car seats.
If you choose to use the car seats try to get bulk head. If you fly with out the car seats do not get bulk head the arm rests don't go up in those seats. Does any of this make sense? I hope it does.
Julia

 

After my girls turned two, I found that car seats caused their feet to be pressed up against the seat in front of them - making it unpleasant for them and for the people sitting in front of them. Also meant we couldn't use the tray table for food, DVD player, coloring, etc. The worst part was, I realized the mistake very quickly, but it was too late to check the seats and there's nowhere else to put them once you're on board, so we had to use them, even though I didn't want to.

I always sit on the aisle and let the twins sit at the window and center, so they're blocked in - can't wander around. Of course, they're in their seat belts most of the time, and thankfully the captain usually knows when bumpy skies are ahead. I know this isn't a sure thing and that sudden turbulence happens - it's a choice you have to make.

Best,
Mia

 

I've never flown with my girls, but just a question.
So is saftey not an issue? Am I to assume that we're dead anyway if there is a crash so they are not any safer in the carseat, making the decision something we should base only on comfort?

 

QUOTE(Meximeli @ Apr 23 2008, 05:59 PM) [snapback]735508[/snapback]
I've never flown with my girls, but just a question.
So is saftey not an issue? Am I to assume that we're dead anyway if there is a crash so they are not any safer in the carseat, making the decision something we should base only on comfort?


Saftey, comfort and convenience all play a part in my opinion. It's a choice I do my best to balance out. In a situation of sudden turbulence, the car seats would be safest, but once children are two, they aren't required and I don't bring them (we have encountered sudden turbulence and we've been fine in our seatbelts). But I travel alone with my twins to new cities where we explore alone -including at night - which many people have told me they think is unsafe. Clearly, the safest thing is to stay home - but that's something I'm not willing to do

Best,
Mia

 

If you are going to be flying a lot you might want to consider this new special child seat belt that has been approved by the FAA as a safe alternative to the car seats. It is called CARES and here is the website: http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

We live in Europe and make a couple trips a year back to the U.S. I definitely wanted to have the ability to strap the boys in solidly to the seat as they are super active but I didn't want to lug the car seats since my Mom always has some borrowed for us. So I got the CARES belts and they seem good. We make our first trip with them this Saturday (10 hours wish us luck!!) so I can't report yet on how they actually worked but I will write back. Also, if you don't want to shell out the $70 X 2 for them there is a couple of rental listings on eBay for $15 each trip.

 

QUOTE(luxlady @ Apr 23 2008, 08:28 PM) [snapback]735819[/snapback]
If you are going to be flying a lot you might want to consider this new special child seat belt that has been approved by the FAA as a safe alternative to the car seats. It is called CARES and here is the website: http://www.kidsflysafe.com/

We live in Europe and make a couple trips a year back to the U.S. I definitely wanted to have the ability to strap the boys in solidly to the seat as they are super active but I didn't want to lug the car seats since my Mom always has some borrowed for us. So I got the CARES belts and they seem good. We make our first trip with them this Saturday (10 hours wish us luck!!) so I can't report yet on how they actually worked but I will write back. Also, if you don't want to shell out the $70 X 2 for them there is a couple of rental listings on eBay for $15 each trip.


Great information. Please be sure to report back - thank you! I looked into the CARES when we flew from the U.S. to London, but British Air didn't allow them. I'd love to know if you like them - and then I'll get them myself.

Best,
Mia