Car seat to big?

[Missy29]

I wasn't sure we're to post this so sorry if it's the wrong place. Anyway, we are bringing our convertible car seat for my ds on the plane and as I was strapping him into the other day I thought it just seemed really big so I looked on Deltas website to see if they have a size limit, I found nothing. I wrote them a email asking them and they wrote me back but did not answer my question.

So does anyone know how big is too big? If it helps my car seat is the Evenflo Triumph LX and the measurements are 29.2*22.4*20.5 and it is aircraft approved, thanks.

 

[NotUrsula]

If it is aircraft approved, then you can use it. However, at that size it IS going to encroach on the seat next to it, which one of you will be sitting in.
Also, expect some difficulty getting it down the aisle and into the row; you will want to carry it on upside down and sideways (think of the profile of the number 7) in order to avoid hitting anyone with it.

The standard width of a coach aircraft seat is between 17 and 18 inches. The only way that your seat will fit is by putting the armrest up behind it. This is allowed as long as the width of the carseat back securely prevents the armrest from dropping suddenly. Be aware that a seat that large must be placed in the window position, with an accompanying adult seated next to it in the middle seat so that the child can be quickly removed from the carseat in the event of an emergency evacuation.

 

[Missy29]

Thank you, maybe I should just get a cheap smaller car seat for travel.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

Are you open to getting another seat that will surely fit? If so, here's a good resource for good models for travel.

We actually bought the listed Graco for our second car (when baby #2 came along) and to travel with it. But when we got it, it just looked too big to fit in a airplane seat. So we reverted back to our tried and true Britax Roundabout. It's been on full-size jets and regional turbo-props, and has fit fine into seats on every plane.

I think the Graco has smaller 'official' dimensions than the Britax, but the Britax fits nicely with arm rests going down and not encroaching on the adjacent seat.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

For managing car-seats in the airport, I personally recommend this. I look silly at the airport, and people think I'm a safety nut, but it really about having my hands free to deal with the kids, and having kids be in their usual travel harness when on the plane.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Go to Delta's website and check your reservation. It should tell you the type of plane. Then go to seatguru.com and find this plane under Delta. It will give you seat widths. Looking at random economy seat widths for domestic flights, seat width seems to be about 17 inches. So yes, your seat is too wide.

 

[mom2brooke76]

Have you considered a CARES harness? I know people who travel often and love them. If you go to ebay and type in "cares harness", there should be several for rent.

 

[tjmw2727]

Have you considered a CARES harness? I know people who travel often and love them. If you go to ebay and type in "cares harness", there should be several for rent.

This is a great option if you aren't renting a car - otherwise the $30-40 for a small cosco seat is IMHO a great investment

 

[Missy29]

Thanks everyone, seems like my car seat is to big so I think I'm going to buy the Cosco Scenera, it's only $40. We are renting a car so will need one anyway.

 

[seashoreCM]

Be aware that a seat that large must be placed in the window position, with an accompanying adult seated next to it in the middle seat so that the child can be quickly removed from the carseat in the event of an emergency evacuation.

Psst! A child seat of any size may be mounted only in a window seat on the plane. Some models might only fit facing backwards in some airplanes.

The child seat does not have to be held rock solid tight by the seat belt.

Is the 20.5 inch width overall or the width of the "bucket" portion?

 

[Missy29]

Psst! A child seat of any size may be mounted only in a window seat on the plane. Some models might only fit facing backwards in some airplanes.

The child seat does not have to be held rock solid tight by the seat belt.

Is the 20.5 inch width overall or the width of the "bucket" portion?

I'm not exactly sure but I think it is overall. I asigned him a window seat anyway and me in the middle and then my dh and other ds in front of us just in case he starts kicking the seat and decides he don't feel like listening to me that day.

 

[cel_disney]

I have this seat and have used it on several delta flights installed rear facing and forward facing. Its a GREAT travel seat. We much prefer it to our other choices (britax marathon, onside air (like a scenara), and a snugride)!!

We loosen the straps and it wears as a backpack comfortably for lugging through the airport and it installs easily in the seat!

Unless you were already in the market for a seat, I would just take the ETA!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Psst! A child seat of any size may be mounted only in a window seat on the plane. Some models might only fit facing backwards in some airplanes.

Just FYI, in a plane with a configuration of three rows of seats across, a car seat may also be placed in a middle seat in the middle row.

 

[tjmw2727]

I'm not exactly sure but I think it is overall. I asigned him a window seat anyway and me in the middle and then my dh and other ds in front of us just in case he starts kicking the seat and decides he don't feel like listening to me that day.

Sounds like a great plan!