We've had the fortune (or possibly misfortune) to fly quite a lot with our boys. They're both seasoned travellers and have probably racked up more miles in their short lives than I did in my first two decades. Our four year old confidently navigates security checks, reads the emergency card before take-off and let's us know when the iPad can be turned back on!
Like many, we generally eschew the full-service airlines in favour of the low-cost carriers to alleviate some of the economic burden of travelling as a family of four. We do, however, often prefer for our wriggly, independent-minded, can't-sit-still, twenty month old to have his own seat with full restraint - namely his car seat - especially on flights over a couple of hours duration. While an extravagance, this seems a safer, more comfortable solution for us, for him, and for those unlucky enough to be seated around us. So it drives me slightly mad that airlines seem to strive to make this request tortuous if not impossible to accomplish.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strongly urges parents to use an approved child restraint system (CRS) on aircraft, and in 2010, the National Transportation Safety Board released a Safety Alert with the same recommendation. In the US, carriers are prohibited from denying use of an approved CRS for a child if a parent has bought them a seat. Unfortunately, it appears that the rest of the world is somewhat behind.
Not only do you have to fly through innumerable hoops to prove your child restraint is approved for use in aircraft (and this definition varies depending on which country the restraint comes from), it is almost impossible to actually book a seat for an under 2yr old on most airline online systems. Recent experiences have almost had us vowing to forgo flying until after our youngest's second birthday (although we'd still have the child restraint issue to deal with then).
If you want to book online with Tiger, Scoot or Virgin Australia, forget it - their airline systems can't handle under 2's in seats. With Virgin, the call centre is your best bet - they were happy to help, and while it took the better part of an hour to book a one-way ticket, they did waive the call centre fee since I had no alternative. Tiger and Scoot got the boot from us - yes we could book over the phone, but the cost for our tot was full adult fare PLUS the infant fee! So our 1yr old costs more, not only than the 4yr old, but than an adult! No thanks.
Our recent trip used a mix of airlines - Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin, Air NZ and Air Asia. Despite having called ahead to confirm, providing the make and model, I was told at check-in for Qantas that my car seat wasn't allowed onboard. After arguing the toss, the check-in staff relented, so on we went....right down the back off the plane which seems to be the default position for car seats - probably to discourage further use! After buckling in the seat, and toddler, I was then approached by cabin crew wanting to verify the "Approved for use in aircraft" sticker yet again. Unbuckle toddler, wrestle seatbelt undone, pull out car seat and repeat.
Similar situations occurred for subsequent check-ins. With Virgin I was told flat out that car seats weren't allowed. During the ensuing discussion, the staff member admitted that usually the car seats don't have the appropriate approvals and "yours is the first one that meets the standard" (it should be noted that Virgin Australia do not allow Australian-approved car seats on board - ours is from the US). The general impression I was left with was that car seat carrying mums (or dads) are troublesome, should be refused on principle and only accommodated if absolutely necessary and with the least assistance possible.
While I appreciate the need to ensure the safety of all passengers, surely if airlines have a policy allowing approved car seats, they can make the effort to streamline their use - because surely a safely and happily restrained toddler is better for everyone than the squirming, wriggling, seat-back pulling demon on poor mum or day's lap! And while we're at it, how about a universal set of requirements for approved seats? Is that really too much to ask?
Rant over - and on a more positive note, I'm writing this having just had two wonderful flights on Malaysian Airlines where our tot travelled, car seat enabled with no questions asked!
Tips for car seat travel
- check the regulations and policies for each airline you're travelling with, some require prior approval by phone
- make sure your seat has the appropriate stickers for approval
- if you get knocked back at check-in, persistence can sometimes win the day
- expect to have the seat nearest the window, and possibly right at the back of the plane
- tuck a blanket under the seat and into the seat back pocket to form a pocket - it will catch all the things junior throws around!
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