Flying with a 2 Year Old.

No they don't need a car seat. I will tell you though that they expect if they have their own seat for the seat belt to remian buckled. I was scolded by the flight attendant because my son kept unhooking the seat belt in his seat. She was pretty nasty about it.

I am a mom and flight attendant...no you do not have to have a car seat for a 2 year old, I always did for mine since they were comfortable sitting in one and knew they couldn't get out. Often when sitting in a "normal" seat small children will unbuckle and want to roam about. This could be dangerous...look what just happened with Air Canada and clear air turbulence. Sure on long flights we all need to get up and move a little but we need to be seated and belted as much as possible.

Here are some guidelines: if you take your car seat read the label...it must say for use on aircraft...some car/booster seats are only for use in cars not airplanes too. When you reserve your seats the car seat must be placed in the window seat...it can not be between any person and the aisle way. If it is a two aisle airplane (i.e. 777, 767, etc...) it may be placed in any seat in the middle section between the two aisles. The car seat may also not be in the exit row or the row in front or behind a window exit.

If you don't want to take the car seat with you...they are big, bulky and a pain to carry around, there is a new device you can purchase for use on airplanes only, not cars, it is a Aviation Child Safety Device (ACSD). They are pretty pricey, 75.00 when I looked into them, but are much easier to travel with, especially if you don't need a car seat at your destination.

Also, be sure a pack plenty of snacks, diapers, etc...you would be shocked at the number of parents I have had who don't pack anything for the kids. Food is almost nonexistant on planes now. Often we don't even have pretzels or nuts. Be sure and check with the TSA website on what you can bring through security, they do still have restrictions on liquids.

You do not have to use a car seat on an airplane. But if you do, here are the guidelines for flying in the US:

Forward-facing carseat: Permitted 6 months- 4 years as long as seat is used according to manufacturer's instructions; up to the airline to decide whether or not to allow carseats at all.

Rear-facing carseat: Permitted when meets manufacturer's requirements. Airline must allow if you have purchased a seat.

Loop belt: Forbidden

Unsecured baby in lap: Permitted 0-24 months

Carseats allowed: The CRS should have a solid back and seat
The CRS should have internal restraint straps installed to securely hold the child to the CRS
The CRS should be labeled stating that it has been approved for aviation use, and
The CRS should have instructions on the label which must be followed; (labels for approval from other countries are allowed and therefore may vary)

Location of carseat: Not in an exit row or the row before after; not blocking any passenger's access to the aisle (in a window seat or the middle seat of the middle section).

No, they are not required but, I would highly reccomend one. I have been traveling with my 2 little girls for some time now and it helps a lot to have them secured. They are more comfortable and really see it as more of a long car ride. Once I went from traveling with an infant as a lap passenger to having to buy their own seat, I could not believe how much easier travel got. While it is true that hauling a car seat around an airport is not the most pleasent thing in the world, it pales in comparison to the pain it is to struggle with an active, unteathered toddler on a plane.

Hi J.,

I would look into the policy of the specific airline you are flying. Try looking either online or call their customer service line. I know you have to purchase a seat for a child 2 years and older, they are no longer allowed to sit on your lap, but I don't remember reading anything, for American Airlines anyways, that requires a car seat. They do highly recommend one, but I think its just a recommendation.

no we flew in Oct and mine was 25 months. On southwest airlines Have a great trip!!

We bought a ticket for my daughter over Thanksgiving this year when she was 23 months old and we didn't bring the car seat. She was able to sit in the seat without it. We flew Southwest, so you might want to check on the airline's website, but I think they just recommend one...it isn't required.

I have been flying Continental with my son since he was 6 months old. I have never used a car seat on the plane but after 2, they will need their own seat. The few times I have had to bring my car seat, I checked it and had no problems with it arriving in one piece! The last thing you want is to drag a car seat through the airport...