Airplane carseat suggestions?

[javaj]

15 mo old DS uses the Britax Marathon, so too big for the plane. We tried the CARES (http://www.kidsflysafe.com/) last month when we went to DC but DS hated it! So I'm thinking we need a new car seat for our trip in a couple of weeks. DH is NOT going to be happy with having to lug yet another thing but what else do I do?

Anyone have any suggestions? Car seat should be economical and as small as possible. Thanks!

 

[tinkandpan]

We travel with our marathon and never have any problems. We usually fly jet blue or continental. It's a pain to carry but.... I have also used the sit n stroll carseat but you might not get a lot of time out of that one.

 

[designermv]

The Cosco Scenera! It's very light and inexpensive. That's what we're using instead of lugging our Britax with us. I believe WalMart has them for $39 right now.

 

[javamoma]

We just got back and used our marathon. Our daughter slept awesome on the plane, that carseat is so comfy. I wouldn't have used anything else. We just losen the straps and Daddy carries it as a back pack through out the airport. It's worth it.

 

[javaj]

Wow I didn't realize the Marathon would fit on some airplane seats. Frontier's A319 seats don't seem that wide, so I'm not sure if that'll work for this trip anyway. We brought our Roundabout years ago for DS#1 and that didn't fit on some of the planes we were on, I'd just assumed the Marathon would be even worse.

We have SO much stuff (already have backpacks for each of us, strollers for each DS) and as I'm typing this, I'm really dreading bringing yet another bulky car seat. Maybe I'll have to reconsider letting DS try the CARES again. Sigh.

 

[Honeymooner04]

I second the recommendation for the Cosco Scenera. We use that instead of my daughters heavy Britax. It's easy to install, lightweight and inexpensive. I can even carry it and manage my daughter and all our stuff (not gracefully mind you but there's no way I could manage that heavy Britax) by myself when traveling alone. I also purchased mine at Wal-mart.

 

[crazywig]

Another vote for the Scenera. I liked it so much I chucked my old Triumph seat and installed the Scenera in my van.

Very light and narrow. Perfect for travel. I check mine now that dd is 3, but we did use it many times onboard.

 

[javaj]

Thanks, I'll look into the Scenera!

 

[designermv]

I believe the Scenera that is at WalMart right now comes in a carrying bag instead of a box.

 

[mapstangelo]

Anyone Used the Evenflo Portabout 5?

That is what we plan on taking with us next week for DS (14 months)

 

[bluedaisy1974]

is it possible that there are car seats that DON'T fit on planes?

i mean, i'm sure it's possible but what do you do if you get on the plane and it doesn't fit?
does anyone know of any seats that DON'T fit an airline seat?
we're flying air tran if that helps!

 

[javamoma]

We flew Air Tran last week and we have a huge Britax that fit fine. They let us board first so we wouldn't be in anyone's way while istalling it. You could always call the airline if you are concerned.

 

[thepeach80]

Here's Evan in his Scenera a few wks ago when we went. We much prefer to take this to his Boulevard. He's almost 3 here and rfing on the plane.

 

[NotUrsula]

Usually as long as the base of the seat is not more than 17 inches wide it will fit in an aircraft seat. However, most carseats will require you to leave at least one armrest raised (and yes, it is ok to have an armrest raised for takeoff/landing as long as it is against something solid like a carseat frame, or the middle of a COS' back.)

The need to raise the armrest usually means that there are quite a few carseats that cannot be used in a bulkhead seat position, but will be fine in any other row.

 

[luv2tvl]

Another vote for the Scenera. We just got home Sunday with that car seat and my 15 month old loved it! The Scenera is light and easy to lug around. It now comes in a plastic carrying bag with a handy handle and it's CHEAP, so even better! It was 39.00 at Wal-Mart!
Have a great trip!!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

Here's Evan in his Scenera a few wks ago when we went. We much prefer to take this to his Boulevard. He's almost 3 here and rfing on the plane.

Your son is so cute. I hope my DD2 sleeps on the plane. I hope you don't mind me asking but I noticed his carseat is rear facing - is this the best way? I've never installed a carseat on a plane & we're flying this Saturday - should I have the carseat rear facing? Thanks for any advice.

 

[tanyaandallie]

You can install a seat ff or rf on the plane, however, I have heard of some moms with older kids being pushed by airline employees to turn their kids ff if they are over 1 and 20 lbs. So, I'd try rf (assuming your child is still within the rf limits of the seat) and if not, go ff.

If you have a younger child that still is within the rf limit of their seat (most seats can rf to between 30 and 35 lbs) they are far safer in a car rear facing than ff! My ds is 2.5 and still rf in the car, but I install his seat ff on the plane.

Oh, I have traveled with a Marathon and a Scenera (at the same time). They both fit on an airline seat. The MA is heavy and big but it fits. The scenera is super duper lightweight and smaller so I think easier on the plane.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I forgot to add something, I think your little one at 15 mos will be FAR more comfy in a carseat than with the Cares thing. I think the Cares thing is really great for older kids, but younger kids are just going to be more comfy in their carseats. They are so much more supportive of their bodies. I can't imagine a kiddo sleeping in one of those when they are tiny.

 

[momtomari]

i am planning on taking my daughters graco treasured cargo booster seat when we go in december. my daughter is 4 but still under 40 pounds and just under 40 inches. i have her still using the 5 point harness on this car seat and have checked the manual and it states that you can use it on an airplane.

amanda

 

[thepeach80]

Thanks, he is cute when he's sleeping. He rides rfing in the car as well as it's safest for him since he's only 26# and his main seat rf to 33#. Here's a great video on it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psmUWg7QrC8

I put him rfing for that flight b/c he had to sit alone and I didn't want him kicking the person in front of him. I let him ride ffing on the way home since he was next to DH.