Toddler carseat on plane?

I will be travelling Perth to nz when Jody is 2.
We will travel with Air NZ. I understand from the website that I can take her carseat on board.
Has anyone done this?
Qantas also allows it but the seat must be checked 48 (or 24?) hours before the flight. I hope this isn't the case with air nz.
I would just ring them but they were not helpful last time I phoned with questions about flying with a baby.
Any tips for taking a toddler and a carseat through the airport alone? It sounds awkward!

Oh! Also, last time we couldn't take the stroller (small umbrella one) to the gate in Perth, we had to check it at the gate and use an airport one. Then when we got to Akl Dh and I had to take turns carrying the large baby all the way to the luggage. How on earth am I going to be able to carry a toddler and a carseat??

Eeeeeeeeeeeeep!!!!

Yes, last time I was told we could take the seat on board if there is a spare seat but at check in they said we couldn't.
But Jody was on an infant ticket then so we hadn't actually paid for her seat.
Are you flying with Air nz? Let me know how you get on

Your carseat has to meet regulations and air nz will probably check it before they let you take it on. I think in general it is, that the carseat is legal to use with just a lapbelt and without the back strap thing.
And yeah, probably have to have her own child seat paid for.
We took micah's on at about the same age, was great as he was used to sleeping in it in the car so slept most of the trip there and back.
Have a great trip!

Hmmm, I am really keen to take the seat as she will not sleep anywhere but in that seat (and her cot of course).
We did the same trip at the start of the year, it's 8 hours over night, then we are flying down to Nelson so any chance of getting her to sleep on the plane would be worth the stress of before and after the long flight.
I am not sure if I would be strong enough to carry her far, she's pretty tall and I am still rather broken from giving birth to the little monster

Yes, I will definitly phone air nz before we go, even though they are a bit silly on the phone I know this time to ask if they are *really sure* that what they are telling me is correct.

We have to buy a seat for her anyway because she'll be 2.

Rosie, it does have an anchor belt strap. Hmmmm.... It is within the size req and has a safety sticker.

I guess getting from the plan to the luggage at Akl will be the toughest bit as that is when we will be stroller-less, maybe I will just have to look awkward enough and some kind person will help me (and hopefully won't put drugs in the seat....)

Hey Chickoin,

We have been checking out the same thing with Emirates and this is the info I found for them if it is any help:

Child restraint devices (CRDs) approved for use in aircraft only by any Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Transport Canada may be used, if marked accordingly.

Parents or guardians may use infant car seats at any stage of the flight. Airport Services will approve the infant car seat at check-in for use onboard. Cabin crew will assist parents with the fitting of the car seat to the passenger seat. The car seat must be the forward facing type only and one that can be secured to the seat by the use of the lap seatbelt, and not a shoulder harness (2-point seatbelt) as per car vehicles.

Acceptable car seats:

    * Seats accepted by United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations (FMVSS) No. 213, and are manufactured to those standards on or after February 26, 1985. US approved seats manufactured after this date must bear the following labels in red lettering: “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft;” and “this child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.”
    * Seats approved to Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) No. 213, entitled “Child Restraint Systems” or CMVSS No. 213.1, entitled “Infant seating and restraint systems.”
    * Seats meeting European safety standards requirements of ECE regulation 44, -03, or later series of amendments.
    * Seats qualified for use in aircraft according to German “Qualification Procedure for Child Restraint Systems for Use in Aircraft” (TÜV Doc.TÜV/958-01/2001).

I've taken carseats on domestic flights (welly - akl/hamilton) with both air nz and Qantas. You can verify over the phone if it's a suitable carseat.
It's the safety standard number that's on the seat they'll be looking for.

Both times I took the car seat to the gate with me. (Qantas nearly didn't let me travel as I was traveling with 2 infants, so I imagine they'll be more anal about it all). From what I remember they preferred that you fit the carseat yourself.

this is off topic but can I suggest that when you arrive back in Auckland (and in Perth) that you have a pushchair/stroller for your little one. I work at the airport in the arrivals area and the parents that have their kids in pushchairs seem to have it a lot easier getting through MAF and the unloading and re loading of their bags...I know its difficult to push both pram and trolley but at least you know your child isnt playing with the rollers and possibly getting squashed by luggage!!

Also the trolleys arent designed for kids to sit in the basket...I know its fun for them and easy for parents BUT I have seen frazzled parents unload their bags at the xray and the trolley tip backwards with the kid still in it!!! not nice for anyone...

just my 2 cents

Check out this stroller. Its a Quicksmart stroller and you can def take it on the plane as it folds and fits in the overhead. Might be worth investing in if you are going to do lots of travelling etc.

Quicksmart stroller

Thanks Peanut, I only plan to do this one trip alone with the little angel. DH is meeting joining us a week later and we will all go back together. It's not stressful at all when I have DH to help

Yay, I am delighted that your seats had those straps, Tishy!

Ooh, I will print it out. I wish I could record phone conversations to play back at the check in person too!

Sandie, I just re-read your post, do you mean the ones in Akl that have the little seats with leg holes are not good for toddlers? That's madness! I was so excited to discover them since Perth ones only have the basket for your duty free and other small items.
I guess I could just put her in there for the walk between international and domestic and make sure she's not in it when it's empty.