Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Hello all,

The kid (9-months-old in June) and I are flying from England to the US and back. I flirted with the idea of ordering an American car seat and having it shipped over to use, and some nice person pointed out the foreign car seat wouldn't be covered in the event of an accident in England.

I called Britax, and was told the only model car seal recommended for flying is the Britax Freeway. Afterwords I called Delta and asked if the Freeway would be acceptable, and they replied any car seat would be ok with them if it has an FAA sticker on it somewhere.

The woman advised me to call the FAA and ask for advice. At this point I want a reference I can print out, and not some stranger's word, telling Delta I can fly with whatever car seat we carry.

I'd love to know how any of you with babies were able to fly on Delta with foreign car seats. How did you guys manage?

The flight is on the 30th May. I really don't want to wait until the last minute to get this straightened out.

Any help is appreciated!

Laura

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Most of the big Car Hire firms will rent you an approved car seat along with the car if you ask.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

I'm not renting a car, and I probably won't be driving the entire time.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Google is your friend.

So, apparently, is the FAA.

http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

I don't see Google as very friendly at the moment. I looked at that source weeks ago, and this stuck:

"Make sure your CRS is government approved and has "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" printed on it. Otherwise, you may be asked to check the CRS as baggage."

I have been to many different shops and each car seat I have examined mentions nothing about aircraft travel.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Then it looks like your best bet is to have your friend send you an American one with the FAA sticker on it. The FAA is the government. That site has a printable pdf too.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

I don't want to consider that as an option. That's a car seat we'd have to store in our 400 square foot flat and use once a year.

There's got to be a better way. I'm taking the kid to Gatwick in a few minutes and I'm going to ask the Delta information people about the problem. I want them to tell me to my face I'll have to use an American car seat for the baby to fly over.

This sucks! :mad:

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Just keep asking for supervisors until you get someone who knows what they're talking about.

Where is Sussex are you? My family was from there and I visited my grandparents there the whole time.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

I'm confused. Whats the car seat for? Cant you just buy one when you get here?

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Do you need one for the plane ???
I'm confused too :confused:

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Why do you think you need a car seat during the visit to the US. You say you'll not be driving or renting a car whilst here. If your 9 mth old ends up riding in a car, can't a relative/friend/neighbor in the US let you borrow a car seat for car journeys?

Is it for use during the flight? Don't airlines have booster seats for passengers as young as 9 mths?

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

I'm pretty sure you dont need one for the plane....as far as I'm aware they dont tend to slam the brakes on or have head on collisions all that often. And if they do I cant see a car seat helping all that much to be honest.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

You know I want to don't you? I'm resisting the temptation :D

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

We had a Britax (I'm going to go out on a limb and say Marathon - its been a couple of years and I can't remember the name - but we bought it at Mothercare) anyway, we flew from the UK to US on Virgin, United and US Airways and didn't have any problems. However, that has been a few years ago (think 2002 through 2004) things change and I hate to say go ahead without finding out for sure. I do know that when we bought the Britax we wanted a carseat that fit in both our cars (I'm sure you're aware they don't all) and one that had a small enough base that would fit in an airline seat. Why don't you call Britax and ask them your questions? They are very helpful.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

The alternative is a wiggling child not being properly restrained, especially on take-offs and landings. In the end its just more comfortable for them to be in their carseat as well.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Haven't you heard of duct tape ??

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Apparently you've never taken a child on a long distance flight/journey - hell is a word that just doesn't compare.....

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Hence the duct tape - just strap the child's head to the seat - afterall you are simply using the car seat to restrain them so duct tape would do the same job and it would fit into your handbag.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

:confused:
You confessed that the car seat is to restrain your child on the flight, so I don't see then problem.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

I reread my initial message and understand the confusion. That's what I get for posting and paying attention to the baby at the same time! Sorry about that.

A while ago I purchased two plane tickets to the US, one for me and one for our daughter. She's going to be 9-months-old and will need to fly in a car seat.

Delta's website states all car seats used to transport children on Delta's aircraft must be FAA approved. There isn't an EU equivalent mentioned on their website.

I emailed Delta and told them I would be flying from England to the US and back, and they mentioned any car seat I wanted to use would be fine, as long as it was FAA approved. I guess the bit about not living in the US and therefore not owning an American car seat didn't stand out in the email.

I called Britax and the woman recommended the model Freeway. She couldn't tell me for sure if the car seat had a badge stating it was airline approved.

This morning I called Delta's London office, and was told the same thing over the phone. I asked the woman how foreigners, flying with babies, coped with not being able to use FAA approved seats. She had absolutely no idea and directed me to call the FAA.

The FAA's hotline wanted me to address my problem over an automated system and leave a name and telephone number so they could contact me. I doubt they would have called England.

So the kid and I drove to Gatwick airport two hours ago. The Delta woman printed off some car seat information regulations which state:

http://corrigenda.org/delta.gif

Now I have something in print that'll help me call UK car seat manufacturers with some solid information, instead of talking out of my ass.

AmerLisa hit the nail on the head. The baby will stay safer and will hopefully stay more comfortable and less cranky.

Other than the baby flying without a car seat, my fear is landing in Atlanta airport and not being able to use the car seat I have, because it isn't branded FAA.

And now I'm drinking a can of Stella that's almost bigger than my head. Life is sweet.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

West Sussex, in Crawley. An hour from London and 40 minute train ride from Brighton.

Crawley isn't a bad place to live, but I like it's location more than anything else.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Children have to be 40 lbs more heavier to use a booster seat. The baby is still too floppy, so she needs to be belted in.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

I believe they told that FAA stuff as well, I don't think that ever came into question when we brought the carseat onto the plane. Meaning, no one ever checked that it was ok'd by the FAA. I wouldn't go to through the hassle of buying a seat here in the US - the Britax, for some odd reason have a wider base than the UK ones. Therefore I don't think they'd fit as easily in a airplane seat.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

I have a Graco baby seat and it has the very label on it (certified for use in aircraft).The label has no mention of the government/faa/or anything it has the telephone number of the manufacturer.
car seat

The same as that one except that one has grey seat belt clips. You can buy it if you want. Or, why not go down to mothercare and look at the display seats or even toysrus.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

It may be too late for you now, but have you considered asking for a bulkhead seat? On BA flights on the bulkhead there are two fold down tables to which they can attach either a bassinet or a recliner seat (both provided by BA).

Our 6 month old slept in the bassinet and the couple next to us had a toddler in the reclining seat.

On getting to the UK we were disgusted by the car seat that the car rental company gave us. We ended up buying one and leaving it at my parents for future use.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

No but I've been on flights where others have........and I have never felt so compelled to throw myself out of a moving plane.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Better read this before you book those Delta flights, if you haven't already.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060404/...e/delta_pilots

:eek:

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

We've used Britax Renaissance (UK) and Britax Wizard (US) on planes without any physical "fit" problems. Only thing I have had a slight problem with occasionally is getting my hand in the back to release the airline seat catch when trying to remove the seat, but if you've got small hands, it shouldn't be a problem.

We've had a problem with an airline (European Aviation) disallowing use, despite the seat being marked as FAA approved, but thats another story...........

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Another optin might be one of those Cat Carriers- though for a 9 month old, maybe a dog carrier (for small dogs) might be better. Then, just check the baby at the baggage counter, and pick it up at the other end. Saves all those worries about screaming/crying/tantrums/poop diapers/ etc. Much easier for the other passengers also.

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

I'd like to thank all, serious and ridiculous, who responded to my question. Double thanks to Amerlisa for the Delta strike info.

The kid and I are currently in the US, and the flight wasn't problematic at all. The car seat, a Britax Freeway, fit beautifully in the seat and no one gave me any guff about using it.

I still find it outrageous how difficult it was to get decent information from Delta regarding flying with an infant. The flight attendants were courteous and helpful, and the only annoying thing was asking for the fruit plate I ordered for Charlotte, only to be told they had no record of the order.

To Ironpoorer:
Don't worry, I made sure my little darling was fed, changed and occupied. Just a year ago I said to myself ohhh shit when someone boarded a plane with an infant. The baby would have screamed more had she travelled in the cat carrier.

Thanks again!

Laura

Re: Potential Car Seat Hassles and Delta
 

Hi,

I travelled to the US from the UK with my wife and 2 children in January 2004. My four year old had his own seat and the 9 month old sat on my lap for the two flights (Gatwick to Atlanta and Atlanta to Memphis) and the same on the return flight. I had no problems as the both children fell asleep shortly after take off both times and neither of them cries (a drink is a good idea during take off).

I travelled to the US again in March this year, this time with 3 children, 6, 2 years 9 months and 15 months and my wife. The 6 and nearly 3 year old each had there own seats and I had the 15 month old on my lap for the entire flight, she slept about half the time and the rest of it she watched 'Cartoon Network' on the seat back screen. I had a double flight again (Gatwick to Philadelphia and Philadelphia to Nashville).

One other thing to note. If you get to the airport early you maybe able to get a 'Sky Cot' for the infant without any aditional charge.

Regards,

Robert.