Best car seats for flying

[msmama]

I was just wondering what kinds of car seats you've taken on planes? Did they work well? Were they a pain to install?

I know that the seats have to be FAA approved. I'm thinking I don't want to take my Britax for an upcoming trip and we could use another seat for DH's car anyway, so....

My guy has only ever flown as a lap baby so the whole flying with a car seat thing is new to me. He'll be a year old (14 mos) at the time of the flight (not to Disney, unfortunately).

I'm asking this here first, since I figure there are more parents here, but if someone thinks it's in the wrong place, I understand and I'll take it over to the transportation board.

 

[mom2meiko]

dd was only 6.5 months when we flew last so she went in her graco infant carrier and we used the base to be sure it was installed safely and properly. (kind of a pain to lug that through the airport on top of everything else but it was worth it.)

next jan we are taking both kids - dd will be 2.5 yrs and ds will be 6.5 mos. ds will repeat dd's last trip with the graco and base. dd will be in the CARES harness and we will check her carseat. we opted for the CARES because that way she will not be restricted to a window seat.

 

[tanyaandallie]

We lugged our MArathons with us numerous times. They are a pain but it is doable. You could consider getting the GoGo Kidz Travelmate. I works great with Britax convertibles.

We eventually purchased a Cosco Scenera to use as a travel seat for my youngest. It's cheap, lightweight and easy to travel with. Just keep in mind that Cosco seats require a child be at least 22 lb and 34 inches to use the seat forward facing. So, if you have already flipped your child ff (and I would encourage you to keep him rf at only 14 mos) then you must turn him rf in the scenera. The only issue with installing a rf scenera is that it almost always requires a rolled towel or pool noodle to get the correct recline angle. You could just pack a towel and use it. I would recommend if you do get the seat that you practice installing it in your vehicle a few times before you go so that you know how to do it when you get there.

 

[two-foxes]

We went with the Cosco Scenera as well. We have traveled with our Chicco Key Fit and Britax Roundabout but we decided to go the Cosco route when we were doing our DCL cruise. I figured if that got broken during the luggage transport, no biggie. But what we did discover is that the Scenera was soooo much lighter and easier to travel with than the Britax...it was so easy. We have had no intallation issues needing a noodle or towel on the plane, but then again, getting a perfect fit on a plane is near to impossible, anyway. This is also the seat we use for grandmas car!

 

[jas_mom1]

We've flown many times with car seats but we've only taken our Britax. We used the Roundabout once and the Marathon for the rest of the trips. It's a bit big and bulky but it fits well on the seats. My DD slept well in it on all of our trips. And she just loves it for the car when we get to our destination.

Dianne

 

[bumbershoot]

Britax Roundabout and Cosco Scenera.

 

[Alex365]

Hi all,

We are flying in from Europe in a few weeks time, a long trip with our 14 month old DD. We are very hesitant about bringing the carseat on the plane, she hates the carseat, can't sit still for 5 minutes and wants nothing more then to move around. Should we or shouldn't we bring the seat? Any advice?

 

[Sherry76]

Hi all,

We are flying in from Europe in a few weeks time, a long trip with our 14 month old DD. We are very hesitant about bringing the carseat on the plane, she hates the carseat, can't sit still for 5 minutes and wants nothing more then to move around. Should we or shouldn't we bring the seat? Any advice?

This is a good question, we were wondering the same thing for our 14 month old grandson. We won't need the car seat once we arrive at Disney as we are staying on property. I hope someone has some suggestions for us.

 

[hardhead]

we took my son when he was 14 months and he just sat in the seat

 

[two-foxes]

Just my opinion, but I guess it is the FAA's too, is that the safest place for an infant or smaller child is in a carseat while on the plane. There is no harm in keeping your seat in the closet in the hotel room if you don't plan on renting a car.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Hi all,

We are flying in from Europe in a few weeks time, a long trip with our 14 month old DD. We are very hesitant about bringing the carseat on the plane, she hates the carseat, can't sit still for 5 minutes and wants nothing more then to move around. Should we or shouldn't we bring the seat? Any advice?

If your child is wiggly and is going to just going to want to be moving around, I'd take the car seat for sure. You really don't want your little one all over the place on the airplane. I would bring the carseat.

 

[chemysterygal]

When our kids were under 18 months, we brought the carseat (Britax Roundabout one time, Marathon another, and I think the Companion at one point when DD was really tiny). I loved having the carseat as it was just another ride to them - they were really good about just being in their seat that way! We never flew with either of them as a lap infant, though - too darn scary!

Anyways, good luck! BTW, DD HATED being in a carseat but did great on the plane (the hum of the engines really did her in ).

 

[msmama]

Thanks so much for the advice!

I found a Cosco Scenera on clearance so that's perfect! It's so much lighter than the Marathon, lol!

To the people wondering if they should take the car seat -- this is the first time I'm flying with my guy in a car seat. He's been a lap baby twice.

Honestly, for a flight of about 2 hours I'd probably keep him as a lap child (go ahead, flame away, but I hold tight to him especially during take-off and landing). But for a longer flight I'm going with a car seat.

I think you know your child best and know what he/she would handle.

No one said anything negative to me about having him on my lap on the plane. In fact, I got many compliments about how good he was.

 

[DT83097]

We used the CARES harness with my DD when she was 20 mo. old and it worked perfectly. It's designed for childrend 22-44 lbs. so not sure if it would work for you, but if they meet that requirement I would recommend it. It's FAA approved, and you can fold it up and carry in your carry on until you get on the plane (no bulky car seat to lug around). It slipped easily over the seat and we had her buckled in in no time. She even napped on the plane so it was comfortable. It's about $75 so the car seat would be cheaper, but this is way more convenient and equally safe. Obviously if you will need a car seat after the flight (rental car, etc.) you'll have to bring it - just depends on your situation.

 

[Sherry76]

We used the CARES harness with my DD when she was 20 mo. old and it worked perfectly. It's designed for childrend 22-44 lbs. so not sure if it would work for you, but if they meet that requirement I would recommend it. It's FAA approved, and you can fold it up and carry in your carry on until you get on the plane (no bulky car seat to lug around). It slipped easily over the seat and we had her buckled in in no time. She even napped on the plane so it was comfortable. It's about $75 so the car seat would be cheaper, but this is way more convenient and equally safe. Obviously if you will need a car seat after the flight (rental car, etc.) you'll have to bring it - just depends on your situation.

Thank you so much, this is the route that we will be taking. We won't have to lug that heavy car seat all over the place.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

We also use the CARES harness here

 

[KristinU]

We've traveled both with a Graco Comfortsport and a Sunshine Kids Radian. Both about the same as far as ease of install goes. The Comfortsport was lighter for heaving around the airport, but the Radian folds and we have a backpack for it, so that made it easier to carry even though it is heavier.

My tip if you're traveleing with two parents: send one onto the plane first when your boarding is called to install the seat and let the other parent walk around with the little one until close to the last boarding call. Its just a little less time that the little one is cooped up on a plane, this was especially helpful when my DS was at that go-go-go phase at around 1 - 1.5 years.

 

[DT83097]

Thank you so much, this is the route that we will be taking. We won't have to lug that heavy car seat all over the place.

You are welcome. Hope you have a great trip!