To meet standard flight regulations the chair that anyone sits in has to be un-hindered by foriegn devices which basicly means its safe as long as its just a person straped to a chair. I had to fly my 4 week old baby from england to new zealand and they whoosed my car seat off me before i could say wheres he gonna sleep. but dont worry they do make alowences and if your flight has spare seats they can generally find you an extra one and the child can stretch out.

Sarah xxx

We travelled with our daughter in Dec last year for the first time.  4 1/2 hour flight and it was well worth the extra toys rather than a cumbersome car seat.  If you are worried about safety they will supply you with a infant belt that threads through your belt for take off and landing and any other time you have/want to use it.  Your child has to sit on your lap to use this belt, but when not in use you can use the normal belt in their allocated seat..  I dont think there is a need to take the car seat with you.

The feelings: Traveling w/ a carseat and a toddler STINKS.

The facts: It's dangerous to ride in a moving vehicle, be it plane, train, or car, without one. There is no way around that.

Most airlines we've traveled have been VERY accomodating with us traveling with babies and toddlers and seats. It's really not that bad. :)

Hello! I've travelled with my toddler quite a lot and I would tend to use the airline seat and concentrate on bringing toys and books instead. To be honest, by the time you arrive at the airport with stroller, luggage and as big a bag as you can get away with for the flight itself (full of food, drink and toys), a carseat is the last thing I would want.

If you're worried about him wandering around the plane, take comfort in that you are more than likely to be seated at the back of the plane with all of the other parents and kids, where you (should) get more understanding...and maybe even a buddy for your child?

Make sure you remember a drink or something to suck on for the ascent and descent to help his ears!

Hi there. The advice that Matthew has a link for is an advice in response to my question of what kind of challenges I will face since I am bringing my child's (who will be 18 months at the time of travel) carseat with us when we travel a few months from now. It has good information.

First of all I just have to say that carseats are always safer for young children. But in choosing whether or not to bring a carseat, you'll have to take into account your child's temperament. Is he active? If he is, than an airline seatbelt might not contain him and he may constantly get up. Do you think your son will be scared of the plane? Or is he pretty easy going? If he may be a little afraid, then a familiar carseat may ease and comfort him.

On the other hand, the flight is only a little more than an hour so I can see what a hassle it will be to bring a carseat. If you are sure that the people that will give you rides have a carseat, then that's less worry for you.

this is my experience

I have travelled with my son on the plane pre-daughter and always used the seatbelt provided which straps to yours.  I always ask if there is a spare seat available, under 3 is free and don't get their own seat.  More often than not, they are happy to seat me next to a vacant seat and Luke would get that seat.  I have travelled with both from when Alyssa was 8 weeks old.  I have never used a car seat and found the flight staff most helpful when trying to organise myself and one or both children on my own.  please read the advice link below too to draw your own conclusion.