Travelling abroad with kids: what to do about car seats?

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Travelling safely with kids can be hard. Car rental seats are not recommended and trying to find out what you can actually use on board an aircraft is difficult. So we have put together some information to make it easier for you! 

Can you bring a car seat on board? 


There are two factors here. First the car seat generally needs to be TUV or FAA approved for use on board an aircraft (see list at end of blog post of car seats that are TUV approved).
Second the airline needs to accept car seats on board. Each airline has different rules and while it can be very frustrating trying to get answers, we recommend contacting your airline as soon as you have booked your flight to clarify with them in writing (this is important to have as the flight crew on board your actual flight may differ on this). We have included the two main Irish airlines, below, Aer Lingus and Ryanair: 

Aer Lingus
Infants aged 0-5 months old must sit on an adult’s knee and be restrained by an infant loop belt.
Car type safety seats may be used by children aged more than six months and less than 36 months. (In order to accommodate a child aged 36 months or older in a car seat, the child must be within the size and weight limits for that seat and special Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) approval is required). 

The car seat must be restrained on the aircraft seat by the normal aircraft lap strap. Aer Lingus don’t permit rearward facing car seats. The seat must be a purpose-designed children's car seat with a 5-point harness, and must be of a type approved for use in motor vehicles and aircraft and bearing labels to this effect:

USA

  • This must display an Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) sticker which must display the words "Certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft".

European

  • This must display a CE sticker, with the words "Certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft".
  • In order to ensure the car seat will fit into the aircraft seat, please ensure the seat width doesn't exceed 17 inches (430mm).
  • Infants aren't permitted to occupy exit rows or the rows immediately before or after an emergency exit row.

Children aged 2 - 11 years must travel in their own seat.

(We contacted Aer Lingus several times to get more clarity on the above with no response)


Ryanair

Infants aged 8 days to 23 months inclusive must sit on an adult's lap.

If you bring a car seat for an infant under 2 years of age and wish them to sit in this car seat for the duration of the flight, you will need to book an extra seat for them. You may bring a car seat on board for an infant or child if it is approved for flying and has a 5-point harness.
(You can bring 2 items of carry-on baby equipment for free, this can include a pushchair / buggy, car seat, booster seat or travel cot).


Type of car seats:
The list of TUV approved seats are mostly infant carriers but these are rear facing and what if your airline doesn't allow rear facing seats? There is an alternative: the Amsafe CARES harness. 

CARES Airplane Safety Harness


The CARES harness is the first and only harness type Aviation Child Safety Device to be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an alternative to a car seat. It is designed specifically for aviation use for children aged 1 and older who weigh between 22 and 44 pounds (10kg to 20kg). Approved for use on many international airlines, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair. 


Why is it recommended to use?
For children are old enough to be in their own seats, but are too small for the seat belt alone to protect them and provide the safety they require during airplane travel. Their bodies cannot withstand the jolts that are common in routine air travel, much less emergency situations, and they flail forward or slide beneath the seat belt if they are not held securely in place. 


Pack my car seat(s) in the hold? 


Due to there being no real car seat options for use on board for kids that no longer fit in an infant carrier and car seat rentals not being recommended then parents are faced with choice of bringing their car seat with them and checking it into hold. Pack your seats in a padded travel car seat bag or the original box with extra padding.

Rent car seats at destination?


Yes you can but no you shouldn't! Think we have only heard of one good experience but mostly rentals seats are of poor quality, with questionable storage and usage history and the number one complaint: not suitable for age / weight / height of your little one. 

It would be preferable as above to bring your car seat(s) with you. There are some light car seat options that are suitable for travel.


For Younger Kids:


Joie Steadi R129


  • (Birth to 105 cm / 18kg, approx. age 4)
  • Seat Belt Installed
  • Rear Facing: 40-105 cm, approx. birth to 4 years
  • Forward Facing: 76-105 cm,  15 months to approx. 4 years
  • Product Dimensions: l 50.7cm x w 43.6cm x h 60-66cm
  • Product Weight: 7.71kg


Britax Two Way Elite


  • (9kg to 25kg, approx. 5 / 6 years)
  • Seat Belt Installed with lower tethers
  • Approved to 18kg forward facing with the 5-point harness: fitted with lap and diagonal seat belt. 
  • Approved to 25kg rearward facing with the 5-point harness: fitted using lap and diagonal belt or lap belt only. The fact that it can be installed with lap belt is great for countries that are less developed and may not have 3 point belt fitted in their vehicles.
  • Product Dimensions: Height 72cm, Width 47 cm, Depth 50cm
  • Product Weight: 7.00kg

For Older Kids: 

It is that bit easier travel with older kids who have moved onto booster stage.


Chicco Fold and Go


  • (100cm to 150cm, approx. age 4 to 12)
  • Seat Belt or Isofix Installed
  • This seat can be folded for travel so would be easy to bring on board instead of checking into the hold
  • Dimensions when closed: 22.00 x 61.00 x 46.00 cm
  • Product net weight: 6.20 kg


BubbleBum Inflatable Booster


  • (From 40lbs to 100lbs, 18.14kg to 45.35kg)
  • Seat Belt Installed
  • BubbleBum inflates by mouth in less than 20 seconds and has side positioning clips to ensure correct belt position.
  • Folds into carry bag which makes it very easy to travel with
  • Product net weight: just 500g

Do I need a car seat? It is only a transfer. 


In the destination country, a car seat may not be required while travelling in a taxi / bus etc..this doesn't mean it is safe to do so!! 


Summary 


To recap contact your airline as soon as you have booked if you wish to bring a car seat on board. When transferring or travelling in your destination country it is best to check their rules around car seats. There are many different standards for car seat approval (EU, US, Australian etc.) and car seats approved in Europe are not approved for use in the US and so on. This may also be a factor when renting a car at your destination, say in the US using EU approved seats so it is best to check the insurance policy. 


Safe travels!!

TUV Approved Car Seats


Manufacturer Model TÜV ID Size Group
Uppababy MESA iSIZE 0000084032 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 30,7 inch body height
Bébé Confort Cabrio Fix 0000062110 0+
Bébé Confort Coral 0000071302 0-26.4 lbs / 15.8 to 29.5 inch body height
Bébé Confort Pebble 0000023572 0+
Bébé Confort Pebble Pro i-Size 0000043330 0 - 26,4 lbs / 17,8 - 29,5 inch body height
Bébé Confort Pebble Plus 0000043330 0 - 26,4 lbs / 17,8 - 29,5 inch body height
Bébé Confort Rock 0000043330 0 - 26,4 lbs / 17,8 - 29,5 inch body height
Concord Ion 0000026687 0+
Cybex Aton B iSize 0000056419 0 - 28,6 lbs / 17,8 - 34,2 inch body height
Cybex Aton M 0000055564 0+
Cybex Aton M iSize 0000056419 0 - 28,6 lbs / 17,8 - 34,2 inch body height
Diono Radian 5 0000055458 I/II
Dorel Maxi-Cosi Coral 360 0000071302 0 - 26,4 lbs / 15,8 - 29,5 inch body height
Joie iGemm 0000056604 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 33,4 inch body height
Joie Gemm 0000056603 0+
Kiddy Comfort Pro 0000026688 I/II/III
Kiddy Discovery Pro 0000026688 II/III
Kiddy Guardianfix Pro 0000026688 I/II/III
Kiddy Guardianfix Pro 2 0000026688 I/II/III
Kiddy Cruiserfix Pro 00000001021 II/III
Kiddy Energy Pro 00000001022 I
Kiddy Phoenixfix Pro 00000001022 I
Kiddy Phoenixfix Pro 2 00000001022 I
Kiddy Phoenixfix 3 0000051233 I
Kiddy Guardian Pro 0000026688 I/II/III
Kiddy Guardian Pro 2 0000026688 I/II/III
Kiddy Guardianfix 3 0000053409 I
Kiddy Evolution Pro 0000040931 0+
Kiddy Evolution Pro 2 0000040931 0+
Kiddy Smartfix 00000001021 II/III
Maxi Cosi Cabrio Fix 0000062110 0+
Maxi Cosi Citi 8811410300 0
Maxi Cosi Citi (SPS) 8811410300 0
Maxi Cosi Citi 0000046894 0+
Maxi Cosi Coral 360 0000071302 0-26.4 lbs / 15.8 to 29.5 inch body height
Maxi Cosi Mico 8011000571 0
Maxi Cosi Pebble 0000023572 0+
Maxi Cosi Pebble Plus 0000043330 0 - 26,4 lbs / 17,8 - 29,5 inch body height
Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 0000081223 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,7 - 32,6 inch body height
Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro 0000084649 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 30,7 inch body height
Maxi Cosi Pebble Pro i-Size 0000043330 0 - 26,4 lbs / 17,8 - 29,5 inch body height
Maxi Cosi Rock 0000043330 0 - 26,4 lbs / 17,8 - 29,5 inch body height
Nachfolger HY5.1TT 0000065606 0 / I
Nachfolger HY5TT 0000065606 0 / I
Nachfolger HY5 0000065606 0 / I
Nuna Bugaboo Turtle Air 0000073960 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 32,7 inch body height
Nuna Pipa Icon 0000056499 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 33,4 inch body heigh
Nuna Pipa Next 0000073258 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 32,6 inch body height
Recaro Privia 0000044950 0+
Recaro Privia Evo 0000044950 0+
Recaro Guardia 0000044950 0+
Römer Babysafe 3 iSize 0000075774 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 32,6 inch body height
Römer Babysafe 3 iSense 0000075774 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 32,6 inch body height
BRITAX RÖMER Baby Safe Plus / B06 9811400300 0+
BRITAX RÖMER Eclipse 0000028802 I
BRITAX RÖMER Baby Safe Plus SHR 9811400300 0+
BRITAX RÖMER King QuickFix 8811400300 I
BRITAX RÖMER BABY-SAFE² i-SIZE 0000059040 0-28,6 lbs und 15,8 - 32,6 inch body height
BRITAX RÖMER BABY-SAFE 3 iSENSE 0000075774 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 32,6 inch body height
BRITAX RÖMER BABY-SAFE 5Z 0000084321 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 33,4 inch body height
BRITAX RÖMER Babysafe 3 iSize 0000075774 0 - 28,6 lbs / 15,8 - 32,6 inch body height
Simple Parenting Doona 0000043493 0+
Simple Parenting Doona+ 0000058480 0+
Storchenmühle Maximum 2711305500 0
Takata Picomino Mini 0000033472 0+
Takata Toyota Mini 0000033472 0+
Joyson Safety Systems Toyota Mini 0000033472 0+
Takata TAKATA MINI 0000033472 0+
Joyson Safety Systems TAKATA MINI 0000033472 0+
Takata TAKATA MINI I-SIZE 0000050911 17,8 - 31,4 inch body height
Joyson Safety Systems TAKATA MINI I-SIZE 0000050911 17,8 - 31,4 inch body height
Takata BMW G0+ 0000033472 0+
Joyson Safety Systems BMW G0+ 0000033472 0+
Takata Lexus Mini 0000033472 0+
Joyson Safety Systems Lexus Mini 0000033472 0+
Takata TAKATA MAXI 0000053832 II / III
Joyson Safety Systems TAKATA MAXI 0000053832 II / III