Car seats on Airplanes

[bluedaisy1974]

is there any chance that my convertible car seat might NOT fit on the airline seat?

i'm having nightmares now after reading about how 'challenging' travelling with children can be.

 

[all4fun]

Relax, the chances are very small that it won't fit. What kind of car seat is it?

 

[tanyaandallie]

My kids Britax MA fits. I don't know of any seat bigger so I am sure your seat will fit!!! It is a tight squeeze but it fits.

 

[fun4disney]

also check the paperwork that came with the car seat, if it says it's FAA approved, no worries, It'll fit.

 

[stacy6552]

If its FAA approved, you probably need not worry. however, you can always call the airline and double check the width of the seats against your carseat. I think something like 18"-20" is standard.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I don't think you are even allowed to use one(or even take one) on the plane that isn't FAA approved. If the seat doesn't not have the FAA approval stamp somewhere on it they will, if I remember correctly, ask you to check it as you board and give it back when you arrive (just like they do with strollers). If you check and its approved don't worry a bit over it. If you have another adult with you just have one of you hold the kids as the other puts the car seats in... no biggie, really so don't worry

 

[tinkandpan]

I too have the britax marathon which is HUGE and we didn't have any trouble fitting it in the Continental seats. We are forward facing at this point. I have heard rear facing can be a bit more challenging, but can be done. Usually if I am travelling with another adult- i send them on first with the carseat to have it installed and I board last with the baby. Also- be prepared to need a seatbelt extender in some cases. So if whomever is installing it panics that the belt won't go around- don't forget SEAT BELT EXTENDER PLEASE!

 

[quiltymom]

Warning: I'm going to rant here!

I'm a transportation safety nut. Won't bore you with the details.

Some airlines, like UNITED, will give you a hard time about car seats. They are absolutely the worst! I had flown with my kids many times with their car seats on other airlines, and United was the only one who checked and said that they were not FAA approved. Well, the sticker had rubbed off. They were not happy when I said I would not check them, mainly because I had flown United with the seats before, they were checked and were fine. I told them that the safety of my children was most important, and having an infant and toddler in an airplane without carseats was just asking for danger.

To make a long story short (and I have drastically edited it here - aren't you lucky?), don't worry about it - you'll be fine, and be ready to defend yourself if you run into any cranky United flight attendants. You're the mom and you know best.

 

[chiefdragon]

I just took a Graco seat with us. We flew Southwest and we had no problem with pulling the one otu the car and took it right on the plane.

 

[raven69david]

We have two Marathons and they are perfect for use on AA, Southwest and Continental. The seats themselves are approved for aircraft use so there will be no problem with the seats. Your manual should be tucked away underneath the seat by the child's left leg and will tell you how to install them. If you lift up the cover, it will be visible and located underneath a piece of styrofoam. If you need the user guide, go here: http://www.britaxusa.net/products/360_marathon.aspx

 

[dhardawa]

I can't think of a single convertible seat that is not FAA approved. Boosters are not FAA approved because there is no shoulder belt on the plane and the Britax Regent is not FAA approved because it is too wide. I'm not sure about the Cosco Apex. It is almost as wide as the Regent. But, off hand, I can't think of any convertibles that can't be used on a plane.

 

[thepeach80]

We just flew w/ our Scenera, our Radian, and our Safeseat and all fit great even w/ the arm rests down, but keeping them up will give you more room for the seat.

 

[AlwaysEeyore]

Can I gate check my Graco Booster Seat on the plane? We are not checking any bags and would hate to have to wait at the carousel just for the booster seat. I don't think it's FAA approved so she can't sit in it on the plane can she?

 

[thepeach80]

You'd have to gate check it since it can't go on the plane.

 

[grlpwrd]

You can always check the seat dimensions at www.seatguru.com .

It is also important to read the carseat manual so you install it correctly into the airplane seat.

Hope this helps...