Car Seat for Air Travel: Safety First OnSide Air Car Seat

[DahliaRW]

Thank you again everyone for your help. You've given me lots to think about.

Unfortunately, if I buy this seat, it will be via online and I don't know if I can find a store with the physical seat to check out in person. I'm going to try though because seeing the seat and actually being able to put my child in it would be extremely useful.

I measured and my child's seated height from bottom to shoulder is about 12" (or maybe even a little above). Sadly, he's going to outgrow the seat quickly if the highest shoulder slot only goes up to 15".

Sigh!

Thanks again for your help!

If any stores near you carry the scenera, go sit him in that one. It's the same shell, the air version just has the cushions added. So you could get a good idea on harness height. You usually loose a little bit when the seat is installed in the car too, so keep that in mind.

 

[ClaraOswald]

How old is your child? Maybe I missed that.

We'll be traveling with our son next year...he'll be about 1.5 years old. We're planning on using the Cosco Scenera. And then we'll bungee it too a small, wheeled carry-on for going through the airport.

As far as a stroller...we aren't using the one with our travel system. We're using something like this (only it was slightly cheaper)...
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=23840656&cp=&parentPage=search

We'll be pushing our son in it through the airport. And then we'll just gate check it.

 

[CailinFig]

Will also look into the Diono RXT since I haven't had time to do so yet. Thanks again everyone ... PLEASE KEEP THOSE TIPS COMING!! You are all great and appreciate your generosity in sharing your knowledge and time!

We are actually flying today with the cosco scenera and the diono rxt today. Scenera has been our go to travel seat since our oldest took her first flight. We love it! So light. I had no problems carrying it one hand while my youngest was in an ergo. Using it RF is tight though...IMO.

We are definitely a Diono family (we own two r120s and an rxt). Diono fits great FF in an aircraft, it's slim and low so your kiddie can use the tray table. I have never used this RF on a plane so I can't attest to that (although I've read you need a seatbelt extender and even then I think it would be a tight squeeze)...but the only issue you have to be aware of is that is is HEAVY. I think the RXT is approx 25 pounds. You'll either need a cart or the backpack straps to lug it through the airport.

Not sure if you got your answer re: stroller gate check but we travel with an uppababy g luxe. Very light! And when purchased with its travel bag the stroller is guaranteed under two year warranty if something should happen to it when you fly. I had a friend who gate checked her uppababy g lite and now it's crooked. So I'd either take a stroller you wouldn't mind getting damaged or buy a travel bag for it....

Good luck with your decision and props to you for bringing your car seat on the plane for the safety of your child! My friends think I'm nuts (they all check in their seats) and my DH grumbles bc it's such a pain to do but luckily he does it for the safety of our kids!

 

[Beck & the Beast]

We have a travel seat and have flown 10+ times with it on Westjet. It's a large Britax (marathon, I think). They've always bagged it for us on check in and we've checked it with our bags, they mark it fragile and it comes out with the oversize/fragile (sporting good, etc) luggage. The clear plastic bag they out it in is fairly thin and protects it from getting dirty and it's never been ripped or anything when we've picked it up. They also flag them with "must travel" tags. We also gate checked our Graco Quattro a few times with WestJet and it's always been waiting right outside the airplane door at the ramp when we've gotten off. I've never bagged it or removed any wheels or sunshade, just folded it up. You could probably ask for one of the clear bags from a WestJet attendant when you check-in if you wanted to bag it at the gate as they are larger than a normal garbage bag and should work.

 

[ClaraOswald]

We have a travel seat and have flown 10+ times with it on Westjet. It's a large Britax (marathon, I think). They've always bagged it for us on check in and we've checked it with our bags, they mark it fragile and it comes out with the oversize/fragile (sporting good, etc) luggage. The clear plastic bag they out it in is fairly thin and protects it from getting dirty and it's never been ripped or anything when we've picked it up. They also flag them with "must travel" tags. We also gate checked our Graco Quattro a few times with WestJet and it's always been waiting right outside the airplane door at the ramp when we've gotten off. I've never bagged it or removed any wheels or sunshade, just folded it up. You could probably ask for one of the clear bags from a WestJet attendant when you check-in if you wanted to bag it at the gate as they are larger than a normal garbage bag and should work.

The OP specifically said she doesn't want to check it since it could get damaged.

"c) NO ... do not want to gate check or counter check my car seat. It will be brand new and read that car seats can sustain damage which might not be visible. Also, in light of the recent Air Canada fiasco about baggage handlers "tossing" luggage from a 20 foot drop for gate checked luggage (check out video on You Tube if you're interested) I don't trust that my car seat will be handled "gently". "

I originally thought about checking one but after more research decided it's a bad idea. If a car seat is thrown around, it's practically the equivalent of being in a car accident. And after any type of car accident, seats are no longer safe to use.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

Hi ... THANKS again everyone for their help! It's the original poster here.

Someone asked how old my child is ... he just turned 2 but he's fairly tall ... about 34". Hence, the seated height from bottom to shoulder being around 12". Didn't know we'd lose some height room when car seat was strapped down. Good to know and something else to consider.

Sadly ... I know if I get the Safety First Onside Air (which is basically the Scenera with the Onside Air feature as one poster advised), it won't last us very long.

However, I might just have to do it since it's a decent car seat for the price range. Don't really want to spend a ton of money on a new car seat which we'd probably only use for travel since we have our Britax at home.

Wish we travelled more but this is our 1st trip in about 5 years so yeah ... guessing, we'd outgrow the car seat way before we travel again! Besides, it's comforting that posters here have raved about the Scenera so I'd feel comfortable if I chose the Onside Air version. Too bad the prices are so much higher in Canada ... I think someone said they got theirs for $40?? Unbelievable!

I did end up looking into the Diono ... as one poster advised ... great carseat but it's pricey & heavy! Unfortunately, this won't be for us. I'm looking for a light weight car seat which would be easy to take on a plane. We're a Britax family and the Marathon we have is heavy which is why we're looking into getting a light weight car seat to take on the plane. Don't want to saddle my husband with lugging the Marathon around especially when we're taking our Graco Quattro stroller (another monster!). We usually take this when we need basket room (which we will need when we go to the parks) and it can be reclined down.

My Graco Quattro is not the best to push around (it's heavy!!) but it's old enough that I won't mind a bit of scuffing so long as there's no real damage from the air travel. However, as other posters advised, WestJet seems to be OK when it comes to gate checking etc..

By the way, I need a "roomy" stroller (which the Graco Quattro is) that reclines because I like to do diaper changes in the stroller. Have a germ phobia so don't really like to use public change tables ... spend too much time wiping them down and lining etc.. And, Murphy's law, after I go through this whole process of cleaning & lining the change table, my kids "freak out" on the change table ... some of them are "elevated" off the ground so they get scared and I can't do the diaper change ... too much thrashing around and crying! Just easier and less stressful for me to just put a change pad on my stroller and do the change! Sorry ... off topic!

Anyway, here's what I'm thinking for our "game plan":

a) Check in: luggage

b) Carry on: backpacks & car seat (send Dad in 1st so he can get started!)

c) Gate check: stroller (remember to ask for bags at luggage check-in counter)

d) Ergo Baby Carrier: most likely, I will "wear" my kid and put the car seat into our Graco stroller when we move through the airport. Hopefully, the stroller can also take at least 1 of the backpacks.

Thanks again everyone. Your comments/hints/experiences etc. are still welcome!

 

[Gisele]

Re: Car Seat for AIR Travel: Safety First OnSide Air Car Seat with Air Protect Side Impact Technology

Hi. Your experience needed. Thanks.

1) Has anyone used the above noted car seat on an airplane?

2) What was your experience?

3) Any tips you can give for transporting the car seat in the airport?

4) Any tips for installing it on the airplane?

5) Can you confirm that this car seat is rated for air travel? Plan on using forward facing so is there a sticker on the car seat labelled as CMVSS 213?

6) Any other tips in general which you think might be useful?

My Background:

a) Plan to buy the above noted car seat for Travel purpose. We have Britax Marathon at home and it's huge. After some research, found info which suggested this car seat for air travel since it's "light weight" to move around and is a decent car seat for the lower price range category.

b) NO ... do not want to rent car seat. Friends warned us against renting ... they said they got dirty car seat and they promptly returned the rental and bought their own. Also, you can never be certain that the car seat has not been in an accident.

c) NO ... do not want to gate check or counter check my car seat. It will be brand new and read that car seats can sustain damage which might not be visible. Also, in light of the recent Air Canada fiasco about baggage handlers "tossing" luggage from a 20 foot drop for gate checked luggage (check out video on You Tube if you're interested) I don't trust that my car seat will be handled "gently".

d) I want to ensure that my car seat is not delayed in transit and that I will have it upon arrival so it needs to stay with me.

e) NO ... do not want to buy CARES restraint to use on the plane. I'm already buying a car seat just for travel. We probably won't get a chance to travel again before my little one outgrows this new car seat since we do not vacation every year. It's been over 4 years since our last vacation and the first time ever flying. Therefore, don't see the point in purchasing a new car seat and the CARES restraint.

Also, I believe that my little one will be safer strapped in a 5 point harness since I read that the CARES restraint is better for children around 3 - 4 years old (depending on their size) and who are at least 40 lbs. The smaller kids tend to manage to squirm under the belt and get themselves entirely free of the restraint. Yes ... it's been suggested that parents use a sticky rubberized shelf liner under their kid's bum and some have also doctored up some kind of crotch restraint but my little guy is pretty persistent when he wants down. A scary story: one mother's child only managed to get his body slid down under the restraint but his neck was caught on the belt. Choking hazard!!

Stroller: Gate Check

By the way, I will also be bringing a stroller. Unfortunately, will need to gate check it since it's a huge Graco Quattro stroller (no infant carrier just the actual stroller part).

1) Any tips on how to deal with gate checking the stroller?

No counter checking since I want to use the stroller up to the boarding gate.
No umbrella stroller ... need one with a large basket and one that can be reclined and I don't want to buy another stroller. Already buying a new car seat!

2) Do the airlines give you plastic bags for the strollers?

I plan to use some plastic bags (biggest ones that I can find so probably garbage bags ... did look into stroller bags but the size didn't fit and I don't want to remove wheels to make it fit into the stroller bag so might as well use garbage bags and tape, tape, tape).

3) Flying West Jet ... do you know if the stroller will be at the bottom of the ramp when we disembark the plane OR do we need to go to a special pick up zone?

4) For my peace of mind, anyone gate check their stroller (or car seat) with West Jet and how did you find their handling? Were they pretty gentle or was there visible rough handling?

Read on internet that some travellers noticed some signs of rough handling on their stroller bags when they travelled with other airlines so was wondering how West Jet performed compared to these other airlines.

SORRY ... numerous questions!! Any help that you can provide is greatly appreciated!

Even if you cannot answer all questions, please answer as many as you can.

Much obliged!! Thanks!!

Wow!

 

[ClaraOswald]

Hi ... THANKS again everyone for their help! It's the original poster here.

Someone asked how old my child is ... he just turned 2 but he's fairly tall ... about 34". Hence, the seated height from bottom to shoulder being around 12". Didn't know we'd lose some height room when car seat was strapped down. Good to know and something else to consider.

Sadly ... I know if I get the Safety First Onside Air (which is basically the Scenera with the Onside Air feature as one poster advised), it won't last us very long.

However, I might just have to do it since it's a decent car seat for the price range. Don't really want to spend a ton of money on a new car seat which we'd probably only use for travel since we have our Britax at home.

Wish we travelled more but this is our 1st trip in about 5 years so yeah ... guessing, we'd outgrow the car seat way before we travel again! Besides, it's comforting that posters here have raved about the Scenera so I'd feel comfortable if I chose the Onside Air version. Too bad the prices are so much higher in Canada ... I think someone said they got theirs for $40?? Unbelievable!

I did end up looking into the Diono ... as one poster advised ... great carseat but it's pricey & heavy! Unfortunately, this won't be for us. I'm looking for a light weight car seat which would be easy to take on a plane. We're a Britax family and the Marathon we have is heavy which is why we're looking into getting a light weight car seat to take on the plane. Don't want to saddle my husband with lugging the Marathon around especially when we're taking our Graco Quattro stroller (another monster!). We usually take this when we need basket room (which we will need when we go to the parks) and it can be reclined down.

My Graco Quattro is not the best to push around (it's heavy!!) but it's old enough that I won't mind a bit of scuffing so long as there's no real damage from the air travel. However, as other posters advised, WestJet seems to be OK when it comes to gate checking etc..

By the way, I need a "roomy" stroller (which the Graco Quattro is) that reclines because I like to do diaper changes in the stroller. Have a germ phobia so don't really like to use public change tables ... spend too much time wiping them down and lining etc.. And, Murphy's law, after I go through this whole process of cleaning & lining the change table, my kids "freak out" on the change table ... some of them are "elevated" off the ground so they get scared and I can't do the diaper change ... too much thrashing around and crying! Just easier and less stressful for me to just put a change pad on my stroller and do the change! Sorry ... off topic!

Anyway, here's what I'm thinking for our "game plan":

a) Check in: luggage

b) Carry on: backpacks & car seat (send Dad in 1st so he can get started!)

c) Gate check: stroller (remember to ask for bags at luggage check-in counter)

d) Ergo Baby Carrier: most likely, I will "wear" my kid and put the car seat into our Graco stroller when we move through the airport. Hopefully, the stroller can also take at least 1 of the backpacks.

Thanks again everyone. Your comments/hints/experiences etc. are still welcome!

The part I put in bold...can you explain that to me? My son is only 7 months old and still in his infant seat so I don't really understand what you mean.

I looked at the Scenera and it says the rear facing height is for kids up to 36 inches. And forward facing it's up to 43 inches tall. It's the one we're getting (for $40! Woo!) but now I'm worried after your comment. Our son is so far, a bit on the taller side.

Our smaller/slimmer stroller has a decent size basket and it reclines. If you don't want to bring your big one...you may want to shop around (if you haven't already.) This is the one we have... It's cheap (so if, God forbid, it got stolen or something I wouldn't be too devastated,) light, folds up, has a basket, reclines, has cup holders, and has a decent size shade. http://www.toysrus.com/buy/strollers/babies-r-us-trendsport-stroller-slate-1933087-17077766

But maybe it doesn't recline enough for a diaper change. I hate changing tables too but to me it's just a necessary evil. I can't imagine using a stroller...especially in a crowded bathroom.

We'll have so much luggage that we'll get one of those little rental carts at the airport. Then at our connecting city, Henry will just ride in his stroller and my husband will bungee the car seat to a small, wheeled carry-on. For me, I cannot imagine wearing him when he's older. I struggle now and he's only 7 months old (19 pounds.) I do love our Ergo though! I also bought a Moby wrap but didn't care for that at all.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

Apologies to Clara Oswald for Late Reply to your Question! Haven't been to DisBoards since April

The part I put in bold

... you referred to another poster's comment re: losing height once car seat was installed ... unfortunately, I don't know really what this means either but I just took that information at "face value".

Regardless, in my casethe Safety First On Side Air Car Seat WILL have a shorter useful life for our family just because my child is already so tall. Therefore, I haven't been able to make up my mind about this car seat. Recently, I've been thinking of getting the Safety First Complete Air LX version instead.

Unfortunately, it's a lot "clunkier" ... heavier and bigger dimensions and not sure if it's going to fit OK on the airplane seat (currently trying to figure that out) ... kind of defeats the point of trying to find a "light weight" seat for air travel.

However, with the higher weight & height limits, it should last us longer as a "travel" car seat (extra cost: around $60 + taxes more) ... and I do hope to travel again soon and not wait for another 4 - 5 years to elapse before our next trip! Fingers crossed!

Anyway, Sorry I can't help answer your question since I'm still pretty clueless myself.