Car Seat Hawaiian Airlines

[CaliGirl08]

Hi.

I'll be taking my toddler to Hawaii in March 2020. I bought him roundtrip airfare. He is under 2 years old when we go and over 2 years old when we fly back. Is he required to have a car seat going to Honolulu on Hawaiian Airlines?

I read over 2 years old, it is recommended. While under 2 years old it says make him a lap child or bring a rear facing car seat. The customer service rep said car seat is recommended only for under 2. Anyone have any suggestions if I should bring a car seat? We were planning to rent one instead of hauling it through airport.

It would be his first flight.

 

[sjsharkie]

No. Car seat is not required over 2 (and IMHO is not needed given the risk). That being said, they are not lap child eligible and will require a seat once they hit the age of 2.

Ryan

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[sjsharkie]

Adding to my post ...

You can check car seats (or gate check) for free. That is what we did once our kids hit 2 years of age. If I thought the chances of turbulence were high, I would have different reco.mendations, but the fact is I have flown over a million air miles and have yet to encounter an adverse event of turbulence or disaster where a seat belt would have been required. YMMV.

ryan

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[controller1]

Adding to my post ...

You can check car seats (or gate check) for free. That is what we did once our kids hit 2 years of age. If I thought the chances of turbulence were high, I would have different reco.mendations, but the fact is I have flown over a million air miles and have yet to encounter an adverse event of turbulence or disaster where a seat belt would have been required. YMMV.

ryan

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Consider yourself lucky. With that said, I believe it is irresponsible to make a recommendation based on you having "flown over a million air miles and have yet to encounter an adverse event of turbulence or disaster where a seat belt would have been required."

It only takes one such event. That's why we have the seat belts on both planes and vehicles.

 

[Luanne]

We rented a car seat once from the rental car company. It was disgusting. After that we always brought them, even with two kids. The girls were more comfortable in the plane with their car seats. It was a bit of a pain hauling them, the stroller, all of their other gear through the airports, but we managed.

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I feel as though my granddaughter traveled better in her car seat. She was accustomed to it and slept well on the planes. Be sure to check that the car seat is FAA approved and has sticker visible.

 

[Dean]

They do make car seats that are FAA approved but many are not. Here's one list I found https://www.wanderluststorytellers.com/best-travel-car-seats-faa-approved-car-seats/ . Just check the seat width to be sure it'll fit. Also they make harnesses for air travel.

 

[Beachclubmum]

If he's going to be a lap child flying without a ticket on the way out, bring a birth certificate or copy---you may have to prove age. That said, for a nearly 2 year old, I would not try to do a lap child on that long a flight, especially in coach.

If child is ticketed, he's required to be in the paid for seat during take-off and landing.

I always kept a fairly cheap (and lightweight) car seat to use when flying (and then to use in the car when we arrived)---something like Evenflo. It's easier if the seat part is fairly low so their legs can't kick the seat in front of them as easily (legs hang down instead of stick out). Don't worry about rear facing on an airplane...not enough room and not enough benefit to be concerned. Most seats are FAA approved, but not booster seats.

If you think you might want to gate check the seat, bring a large clear yard waste bag to tie around it. It will keep it clean and baggage handlers will see what it is and hopefully take care of it.

 

[CaliGirl08]

Thanks for the tips. Evenflo and Cosco car seats are light weight and cheaper than a rental car seat price of $70.

I may just get those airport carts to haul car seat to the gate along with my carry-on luggage. Then it will save me on checking in bags. LOL

 

[zora]

My GD uses an inflatable booster seat. But she's tall for her age. You may also want to check Graco.

 

[jehb2]

My kid hated car seats on planes. She couldn’t understand why she had to sit in her car seat if we weren’t moving.

 

[Luanne]

My kid hated car seats on planes. She couldn’t understand why she had to sit in her car seat if we weren’t moving.

Was she okay with using a seat belt if she was in a regular seat? Or was that also something she couldn't understand since you weren't moving?

 

[DeniseM]

I would definitely take your child's own car seat. She is used to being confined in it and sometimes falling asleep in it, and most importantly she understands that she has to stay in it. If you don't take it, she will not understand why she has to stay in her airplane seat, and the flight will be much more difficult for her and you. In addition to your child's comfort - it's a lot safer to have her strapped into the car seat. Then, when you get to Hawaii, you will have your own safe, clean car seat.

Another thing that we did on long trips when our kids were little is to go to the dollar store and buy a bag full of $1 toys and books. Then, when you child needs a distraction, pull something new out of the bag - works like a charm!

 

[jehb2]

Was she okay with using a seat belt if she was in a regular seat? Or was that also something she couldn't understand since you weren't moving?

She was fine on the plane with the regular seat belt. That was after she was no longer a lap child.

But I should add—bring, do not rent a car seat. Even if the car rental agency manages to have the right size (infant, toddler, booster, big kid booster) it’s a toss up on how clean it will be. Buy a car seat cover and check the seat with your luggage. It’s well worth the hassle.

When you pick up your car seat it sometimes comes out in the oversized luggage area.

 

[CaliGirl08]

Thanks for the tips.