Britax Roundabout on airplane?

[Gillian]

Has anyone used a Britax roundabout car seat on an airplane? Just wondering if it will fit. The last time we flew, DS was in an infant seat, which was smaller. It fit fine, except that the person in front of him could not recline very far, as the car seat was in rear-facing.

We need to buy another car seat for DH's car soon. If the Britax won't fit in planes, is there another brand that does (that is also a good car seat, of course!)?

Also, if a baby is still using a regular (convertible front or back) car seat rear-facing in the car, should it go that way on the plane? DS will be just about 1, and we will be turning it front facing in the car soon anyway.

TIA

 

[ducklite]

I'm suprised they let you put the seat in rear facing mode on the plane. Reason being...if it was blocking the seat in front of it from reclining, it would have blocked access to evacuate during an emergency.

I'm not trying to say you did anything wrong, I'm just suprised!

Anne

 

[tynkrB]

I've have taken the Roundabout on the plane several times and it works just fine. You do have to use it forward facing and in the window seat. All airlines require car seats to be in the window seat.

Good luck and have fun!

Kim

 

[robinb]

We have 2 cars and 2 car seats. We have a Roundabout and a Century 1000. We always bring the Century with us because it's smaller and less bulky.

 

[akasleepingbeauty]

We have used our Roundabout on 6 flights so far - always rear-facing. We've had no problems getting it installed - one of the things I like so much about the Roundabout is how easy it is to install. We have a backpack carrying case for our carseat that makes it much easier to carry around the airport and folds up small once you take the seat out.

You can install a carseat rear-facing because it goes in the window seat. Therefore, it does not block evacuation of anyone in that row. Whether the person in the row in front of you can recline or not does not affect evacuation.

I would take the carseat your child most often uses so that your child will be most likely to be comfortable. My dd is 16 months old and just now weighs over 20 lbs. I have decided not turn her around yet as it is still safest for a child to be rear-facing and the Roundabout is safe rear-facing for children up to 30 lbs.

I was once told by a flight attendant that the 20 lbs rule does not apply on aircaraft but I still felt more comfortable keeping our dd rear-facing. So, I guess that decision comes down to what you and your child are most comfortable with.

Have a great trip!!

 

[Gillian]

Thank you for all of your helpful replies! I may decide to go ahead and buy another roundabout, since my son likes it & we know how it works! I guess it's timeto check out the new edition of Baby Bargains!!

ducklite - akasleepingbeauty is right. I had the car seat in the window, so it didn't block anyone. I didn't even know it blocked the full recline at first, because on the way down the person in front of my DS didn't try to recline at all. On the way home, the person kept trying to make her seat go back more, even after she realized it was because of the car seat. There was nothing I could do about it except apologize. And that seat is really small!

only 5 weeks left!!

 

[lindaso]

I've used a Roudabout both front-facing and rear-facing on those tiny Delta Express planes (737's?). It fits great and it's a breeze to install (as you already know). I just love this seat! If rear-facing, the child may have to sit on the buckle or have it between the legs but this didn't seem to bother my DS any. Even though your child is almost 1, it is safest to keep them rear-facing as long as possible, ie. when they approach the 30 lb. limit. I would install it rear-facing on the plane as well as the car. As far as the person in front...let them be thankful that they just can't recline cause a forward-facing baby has the potential to kick the seat the entire flight LOL!!

As far as location, a rear-facing seat must be in a window seat so it doesn't block evacuation. A front-facing seat can be placed in the middle or aisle seat and is not limited to the window seat (this rule was changed within the last year or so but many flight attendants don't know this). IMO, it's easier to get past a child in a carseat than a full-grown adult.

I would never travel without my Roudabout!!

Linda (carseat fanatic)

 

[Gillian]

the rule was changed? That explains why I was given a middle & aisle seat for the two of us in march! The problem was, DS was only 6 mo & had to be rear facing. I automatically took the window & upset the person who was assigned to it (a frequent flyer).

Anyone know of any deals on roundabouts?