Car seats on planes

If you’re worried about toddler safety in adult airline seats, you might want to consider taking a car seat on board. (This can also save you renting a car seat once you arrive.) Some airlines are happy for you to do this, while others even provide special infant seats. Here’s a run-down of who does what:

bmi
Forward-facing car seats are allowed for children aged six months to three years, as long as you’ve bought a seat for the child.

British Airways
Forward-facing car seats are allowed for children aged six months to less than three years, as long as you’ve bought a seat for the child. You can use the AmSafe System child restraint device for children aged one to four. BA also carries infant seats on all long-haul flights (except Boeing 777 aircraft) which you can fix into the carrycot position. These are suitable for children aged six months to two years and are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

easyJet
Forward-facing car seats are allowed for children aged over six months, as long as you’ve bought a seat for the child.

Flybe
Forward-facing car seats are allowed for children up to three years, as long as you’ve bought a seat for the child.

Ryanair
Car seats are not allowed on board. You may use certain seat harnesses (Crelling model 27 harness or Crelling HSB1 shoulder braces), provided you contact the airline in advance. And yes, Ryanair will charge you £10 each way to check in a car seat, or £20 each way if you pay at the airport (fees in 2010).

Child seat © Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic
All Virgin flights carry an infant/child seat which is suitable from birth and for children weighing up to 20kg (44lb) or a maximum height of 100cm (40in). If your child is under two, you must buy a seat for them. You should book this in advance.