Install Car Seat on Airplane

Flying with car seat and nervous about installing that seat on the airplane? Don't be!
If you need a car seat at your destination, the safest thing to do is to purchase an airplane seat for everyone traveling and buckle up your children in their car seat on plane! What's the best car seat for travel? Most car seats are faa approved car seat. Check for a sticker on the side of your seat on in your car seat manual.
Arriving at your destination and not having your car seat is the pits. Control what you can and bring a travel car seat. Keep your child safe and maintain your sanity by taking your car seat on the plane with you. When you gate check car seat you risk it becoming damaged in transport.
The task of installing your car seat on airplane may seem like unwanted added stress. However, this is the safest way for your kiddo and their seat to travel!
In this video, I'll walk you through installing an infant seat and a travel car seat toddler convertible car seat on the airplane.
Reminder: Only harnessed car seats are faa approved car seats and can be used on an airplane. And, if you are traveling internationally, check for a seat with a built-in lock-off since many countries do not have locking vehicle seat belts!
For help with all things airplane car seats and best travel car seat, check out the Wheels Up: Airplane Travel course and join the private Facebook group when you do!
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Some families find it helpful to purchase a separate car seat for airplane that is lightweight travel car seat for. For our best car seat for airplane and best travel car seat check out this Amazon Live:
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And to help make your adventure a smooth one, here are my top hacks for flying with older children, flying with a toddler and flying with a baby:
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Featured Seats:
Graco Car Seat - Graco Premier SnugRide SnugFit 35 XT: urlgeni.us/amzn/IZnY (Review: safeintheseat.com/graco-snugr...)
Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat : rstyle.me/+XXfTRvqq4nZUCMOo72...
Maxi-Cosi Romi: safeintheseat.com/maxi-cosi-r...
0:00 Install Car Seat on Airplane
0:40 Installing Infant Seat on Airplane
1:22 Installing Rear Facing Convertible Car Seat on Airplane
2:14 Installing Forward Facing Convertible Car Seat on Airplane
#carseat #carseatsafety #travel #familytrip #familytravel #airplane

[@MAdams-vg6wm]

This was a helpful video. Thank you! It was quick and gave me all the info I needed. I was wondering about booster seats on a plane.

[@safeintheseat]

Thanks for watching! Boosters cannot be used on the plane because they cannot be used with lap-only seat belts. But if it's a backless booster, you can store it in the overhead bin. There are some high back boosters that fold up small enough to go in most overhead bins as well (Baby Trend Protect, Diono Monterey 5iST, and Peg Perego Viaggio Flex).

[@davidd2136]

Thanks this is exactly what we needed!

[@safeintheseat]

Great, thanks for watching!

[@thebiggs1469]

What’s your thoughts/recommendations for general aviation(Cessnas)? Since the seatbelt geometry is different than cars. The backseat shoulder mounting is a lot lower. Sometimes there’s a 4 point harness. Taking the kids flying next month.

[@Mattjc7845]

Just adding that most air line seat installs will have to be more vertical for rear facing because the seat backs in the row before you will be very much in the way of it’s a flatter bucket style install.

[@safeintheseat]

Yes, the seat will generally need to be more upright on the plane than you would be allowed to use it in the vehicle due to the front-to-back space available.

[@BlairBenson-p9h]

If our seat is aircraft approved that is a 100% confirmation that it will fit? So worried ours is too bulky. Travel anxiety!

[@jaymeowens1019]

Ah man I wish I knew about the closed belt path before I bought the cosco! 😢 what is your recommendation for a forward facing convertible car seat with the closed belt path?

[@safeintheseat]

Most kids don't complain about it! If they do, you can add a rolled-up washcloth or a folded-up t-shirt in between their back and the airplane buckle.

[@micaelawedge]

What a great video! I will share this on my Twitter for families I babysit. I am guessing since airplane seats don't have tether mounts that you just tuck the top tether strap behind the car seat?

[@safeintheseat]

Thanks for sharing. Yes there is a place to store the top tether on the car seat itself

[@micaelawedge]

@@safeintheseat True, much better plan.

[@candicehollenbeck9661]

We recently flew with this Cosco Scenera Next and used it rear facing with our 2 year old. Is it alright for the seat in front of the car seat to be touching it? I made sure to kindly tell the person in front that there was a child safety seat behind them. One lady asked if she could recline to which I replied “maybe just a little.” And that’s where it was touching. Thanks for posting this video!

[@safeintheseat]

When you are rear-facing on a plane, the car seat is almost always going to touch the seat in front of it.

[@Dayspring77]

We just bought the Safety 1st grow and go all in one convertible seat for a flight . Can I have my child forward facing on a plane at 18 months ?

[@sillyg00se2008]

Can you use the forward facing recline setting if needed while rear facing, just on the plane?

[@safeintheseat]

Yes

[@christinececil2218]

We are gearing up for a trip next week and this is my first time traveling with our 10 month old. We have a graco infant car seat we were planning on bringing. Can we attach the base to the airplane seat then click in the infant car seat?

[@safeintheseat]

No, you have to use it without the base

[@MsTaraTube]

We have uppababy infant seat and recently flew an airline that required rear-facing infant seat to be forward facing. We were confused about how to attach, but they told us to use a seatbelt extender with the base. It wasn't great. Nor did the belt across the top with the clips because those really only work if you're rear facing. What should we have done?

[@safeintheseat]

There is no way to install an infant seat forward-facing. Some international airlines only allow forward-facing seats and in that case, we would recommend a convertible car seat since it has a forward-facing belt path as well.

[@MsTaraTube]

Ok, thanks. That's interesting. This was a domestic flight we were on recently and their airline policy is forward-facing only. Sounds like they're uninformed.

[@hjsa-qc1fw]

What is your recommendation for a lightweight, affordable forward facing car seat for the plane for a 3 year old?

[@safeintheseat]

I have a couple. I'm going to paste a link in this comment. When you click it, head to the Combination seat section and look for the seats that have an airplane icon in the upper right hand corner. These are the ones we like for travel. Skip the one called Wayb Pico as it is not what most people would consider affordable. There is a learn more page for each seat with the pros/cons, seat limits, weight of seat and a link to buy it. safeintheseat.com/sits-recommended-car-seats/#:~:text=Combination%20Car%20Seats%20%26%20Forward%2DFacing%20Only%20Car%20Seats

[@sarahcurtis7813]

Is it OK to have a normal rear facing toddler sit forward facing in airplane seat if all-in- one does not fit rear facing on plane?

[@safeintheseat]

It's nearly always impossible to have a rear-facing seat at the proper recline on a plane. If the child can sit unassisted, it's ok to have the seat more upright on the plane and still have it rear-facing. But if the child is 2+, it's up to you

[@samanthawright7678]

If I have the click tight, can I still put the seatbelt under the seat door thingie ? Like I would in a car ?

[@safeintheseat]

No, it has to go over the Clicktight panel instead. The car seat's manual has a page for airplane installation

[@signediaz2469]

we use the nuna exec on flights and its been really great and easy to use/fit in narrow seats and has a lock off. we tranport it with a spinner hand cart which makes it really easy

[@safeintheseat]

Hand carts do help a lot!

[@kaylinde2321]

I’m taking ours on a flight tomorrow and I can’t find videos on this exact car seat 😕 I hope this video helps

[@rahimk687]

What hand cart do you use please? Do you have the link for it? Thanks

[@melissam8716]

Is it okay to put the airplane seatbelt through the forward facing belt path if that’s where the manual says to put the lower anchors when not in use?

[@safeintheseat]

If you are installing the car seat forward-facing on the plane, then the airplane seat belt goes through the forward-facing belt path. If you are installing it rear-facing, then you need to use the rear-facing belt path.

[@micaelawedge]

I think what she is asking is if you can put it through the forward-facing belt path when you have the lower anchors stored in there.

[@MissKathyG]

Could you do this with one of the Evenflo 360’s? I believe they are airplane approved..

[@emilyschultheis7565]

Evenflo revolve is not faa approved. ☺️

[@safeintheseat]

The newer versions have aircraft approval. If you have an older version, it's not retroactive. You have to have one that has the sticker on the side saying that it has FAA approval. But that seat is so heavy, I would not wish to drag it on board if I was you.

[@MissKathyG]

@@safeintheseatI have the 360 slim. I love this seat but I agree it’s so heavy. I was thinking to use a cart to wheel it. I’m not flying anywhere any time soon, we’ll probably get a better travel seat when I do travel.

[@runningfromabear8354]

​​@@safeintheseat crap! 😢 I was hoping to use on our transatlantic flight after I found faa symbol. I'm planning to take twins to a wedding next year. We have evenflo 360 and peg perego convertible. We already bit the bullet and bought travel strollers that would fit rental car with luggage. My husband has critical stuff happening around the same time so can't come. So I've convinced my college age kid to come along for free flight and as acting au pair. The twins will be 2.5 yo. I've checked the laws over there and taxis and car hires are exempted for car seats. I figured if I put the car seats on the strollers and walked the toddlers, it would be survivable. Is this entirely unrealistic? ETA we have the slim version, if that makes a difference

[@samanthaelizabethbrown9851]

The installation was no problem but getting the carseat through the plane aisle was a tough one 😅 We have a Graco Extend2Fit and it does not fit down the aisle. We bought carts to strap to the carseats so we could roll them around the airport but it didnt work on the plane. Myself and my husband had to lift them over our heads while corraling our 2 toddlers between us. It was a workout 😮‍💨

[@safeintheseat]

The carts are great for getting through the airport, but you nearly always have to carry the seats over your head to get to your seats. Some very narrow seats can fit down the aisles, but definitely not the Graco Extend2Fit. This is why I recommend that people take lightweight seats. Graco Extend2Fit is only 19#, so it's not too heavy, but the ones that are even heavier are extremely difficult to manage.

[@rolandastevens9047]

I had 2 Graco 4evers, 3 rolling suitcases and 3 backpack with 2 toddlers and just me! It was an insane workout and a huge fight with all the hate agents about getting the seats on the plane/how they were allowed to be installed. Never. Again. Gonna have to buy the Cosco😅

[@ashleyburciaga9546]

Ugh I was going to bring my foonf but no way can lift it over seats down an aisle 😮

[@bbrxox290]

Hey Samantha! I’m curious to know your experience with the Extend2Fit as we will be travelling soon as well and we have the same car seat. Aside from not fitting in the aisle. It fit in the seat okay?

[@raisal9896]

Omg i will be in a similar situation, 1 toddler, pregnant and taking a Nuna Rava (absolutely needed at destination) 😅

[@jessicanelson4670]

I cannot find an airplane safe sticker on my daughter's graco snugride snuglock 35 dlx infant car seat. The base says it is NOT airplane safe, but there's nothing on the seat itself. How do i determine whether it is safe?

[@safeintheseat]

This seat does have aircraft approval. Look for some red lettering on one of the stickers. That will be the part that says it's approved for aircraft. It's also in your car seat's manual

[@beccawhite8603]

What if the seat in front is too close to have the seat level rear facing? Cosco travel seat didn't fit correctly on a flight recently because it was hitting the seat in front.

[@kylechristinacampbell6165]

I had the exact same problem on multiple airlines and had to have my son forward facing in order for it to fit.

[@lmprioteasa]

We had the same issue with our regular Graco carseat and my daughter refused to sit in it because the recline was super steep and it bothered her

[@kristacalderon3018]

We had the same issue and I was sweating profusely trying to move the car seat both ways but it would not fit so we then had to carry the HUGE car seat down the aisle to check it 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@safeintheseat]

It's nearly always impossible to have a rear-facing seat at the proper recline on a plane. If the child can sit unassisted, it's ok to have the seat more upright on the plane.

[@alissamorrison5311]

@@safeintheseat we have an 18month old who currently sits rear facing in the car. If the car seat doesn’t fit rear facing, is it okay to have them front facing in the airplane?

[@izabelahazaryan8352]

Hi, thank you for all that what you are doing! We are going on holiday and we will flight for 1 time with my 2 years old girl, and we are looking probably to buy car seats which we can use in the plain and in a taxi in the city. Can you advise which one to be? I like the first one which you show it?! We have a car seat from the birth " be safe izi go modular" and I can see that she is fitting great there because she is only 10kg but about 83sm so ( it's till 75sm) but her head is there where should be. But I don't feel peace about it! I been checked for a weeks now and I'm tired about it! We are flying whit Ryanair and should not be more 16 ynches. Thanks a lot

[@safeintheseat]

After the infant seat, there really aren't any good European options that have aircraft approval. Nachfolger Hy5 is really the only one. But it's rear-facing only, and a lot of European airlines don't allow rear-facing on the plane. This seat has an 18 kg limit. It does deflate and fit into a carry-on size bag if they won't allow you to use it onboard

[@Mscreatefromwithin]

@@safeintheseat You are right. I've spent weeks trying to find a car seat that is aircraft approved that I would use until my kid is 3 or 4 and found almost nothing. I'm currently in the USA and have planned to buy one. I'm considering buying the cosco serena because it's cheap and we will only use it only for flights as we already have two other car seats. BUT that buckle problem had me wondering if I want to take the risk to have an uncomfortable baby in a 8 hour flight 🤔

[@jazzrae4264]

What about if I also want to use the base for the infant car seat?

[@emilyschultheis7565]

Bases are not faa approved

[@safeintheseat]

Most bases do not have FAA approval so it's not possible

[@jazzrae4264]

Thank you!!

[@micaelawedge]

Also, how come so many flight attendants will tell you that the lap is the safest place? And then they take it and put it under the plane for you. I actually saw somebody on an airplane once that wanted to hook their car seat up and the flight attendant said to them, "The lap is the safest place." That is not true.

[@kaylinde2321]

Wow talk about ill informed!!

[@user-wn4rp2zl8w]

What are the best/lightweight car seats that you recommend for flying ?

[@safeintheseat]

Check out this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g524kGZnermXack

[@beautybyliz8200]

What’s the best seat to install a car seat on a plane or does it matter?

[@safeintheseat]

By the window is generally required for rear-facing seats (larger planes with 2 aisles will allow car seats in the center seats as long as the adults' egress is not blocked), and car seats are not allowed in exit rows.

[@vanessam7159]

Why are people saying on your instagram page that an extra seat on the airplane needs to be purchased when flying with a car seat?

[@emilyschultheis7565]

@@vanessam7159 it does. You have to purchase an extra seat for your baby/toddler if they aren’t sitting on your lap

[@nathalieposthuma8905]

At what point would your child no longer need a car seat on the airplane?

[@emilyschultheis7565]

If I’m not mistaken, booster age(5)

[@safeintheseat]

They should use one on the plane as long as you are bringing a harnessed seat with you on the trip. It's safer on the airplane seat than under the plane. The airplane seat belt will fit kids once they are around 40#