Car Seats

[areneej1]

Up to this point we have not been using our car seat on the airplane. For several reasons, we now realize its not a good idea to not have our almost two year in a car seat on the plane. Unfortunately the two car seats we have are both big bulky Britax Diplomats. Please recommend a lightweight car seat that will fit in the seat on the airplane. The car seat doesn't have to be super fancy as we plan to use it only when traveling.

 

[MistyD]

We got the Cosco Scenera from Wal-Mart for our upcoming trip. We've used it in Grandma's car but not on a plane yet. I posted about it here and got lots of positive feedback on it. It's very lightweight and comes with a carrying bag that will make it easier to tote in and out of the airport. AND it was only about $45!! It comes in another pattern too if the flowers aren't your thing!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8054494

 

[5 for WDW]

We got the Cosco Scenera from Wal-Mart for our upcoming trip. We've used it in Grandma's car but not on a plane yet. I posted about it here and got lots of positive feedback on it. It's very lightweight and comes with a carrying bag that will make it easier to tote in and out of the airport. AND it was only about $45!! It comes in another pattern too if the flowers aren't your thing!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8054494

We have the same car seat for our daughter for the plane. We have a Britax Regent in my truck so, there is no way it is coming on an airplane!!
She turns 5 this October so, this will be the first time she won't be in a car seat. My baby is getting big.
Great seat, easy to carry and strap in.

 

[Minniemouse07]

If your kids are to tall or heavy for the Scenera another great seat is the Graco Nautilus. It is more expensive ($150) but it has pretty high harness slots and goes to 65lbs harnessed. Once your child maxes out the seat by height or weight, you remove the harness and it becomes a booster seat until 100lbs (I think that's the upper range).

It is another excellent option.

FWIW, we too dd's Britax Advantage and ds' Britax Boulevard on multiple flights w/ no issues whatsoever. I didn't bother purchasing another seat for plane travel.

 

[Wendybird55]

We're going to WDW in Sept. with our sone who will be 23months at the time. Our flight (from NY) is about 3 hours. After some thoughts. I'm 99.9% sure I will not bring his carseat.

We will be 3 across - he'll be in the middle seat.
It's a moning flight - I hope he can streach out a bit and fall asleep.
We're bringing his portable DVD player (he loves watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse plus alot of toys and food and snacks.) I just figure the car seat is one more thing to lug and not sure if it's really needed as he is now sitting fine in church and on chairs and such.

I'm just curious - since your child will be around the same age as mine when you go to Disney, why do you think a car seat is so necessary? Is there anything I'm missing. I'd love to hear your thoughts as this is the first time I will be flying with my son or a child of this age.

Thanks..

 

[Minniemouse07]

Dd flew when she was 17mo, 28mo, 2.5yo, 3yo, 3.5yo and 6.5yo...she used her car seat for all but the last trip.

Ds just flew for the first time this past December where he turned 2yo during our trip.

Three of our flights were from Philly to MCO with one to New Orleans, Miami and Nashville thrown in.

With dd, she slept for 90% of her flights in the car seat. She was comfy and supported for the flights.

Ds.. even though he routinely sleeps in the car, he was WIDE awake for our flights to and from Florida. I was SO glad he was strapped in his car seat because he would have been all over the plane. He wasn't thrilled about being strapped in, but dh and I took turns (we were in separate rows w/ the kids by the windows) sitting w/ ds and amusing him. It was hard work but he didn't fuss too loudly.

I'm a certified car seat tech and I have just seen too much information about the importance of traveling on planes w/ car seats to not use them.

Dd and I are traveling to WDW in a few weeks and it is going to be my first trip to WDW w/o a car seat or a stroller since 2000! I don't know what I'm going to do w/ myself!

For more information about the importance of using a car seat on aircraft, I recommend checking out CPSafety.com. They have a ton of good (cited) info to review.

 

[Karlzmom]

We're going to WDW in Sept. with our sone who will be 23months at the time. Our flight (from NY) is about 3 hours. After some thoughts. I'm 99.9% sure I will not bring his carseat.

We will be 3 across - he'll be in the middle seat.
It's a moning flight - I hope he can streach out a bit and fall asleep.
We're bringing his portable DVD player (he loves watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse plus alot of toys and food and snacks.) I just figure the car seat is one more thing to lug and not sure if it's really needed as he is now sitting fine in church and on chairs and such.

I'm just curious - since your child will be around the same age as mine when you go to Disney, why do you think a car seat is so necessary? Is there anything I'm missing. I'd love to hear your thoughts as this is the first time I will be flying with my son or a child of this age.

Thanks..[/QUOTE


If you hit rough air, you don't want your child on the ceiling! Think about a car wreck, then constrast with how fast a plane moves and how heavy it is....a rough landing would certainly put more force on the child than the car wreck & most of us would never dream of placing our child in a car w/out the seat.

I feel the worst for lap-children.. the FAA requires that soda cans be locked down, but the baby....no problem!

Bring the seat, they'll be comfy and safe...you'll be sane...its a win/win!

 

[mdurette]

I'm just curious - since your child will be around the same age as mine when you go to Disney, why do you think a car seat is so necessary?

For me.....it is a safety thing. The car seat is NOT a hassle in the airport. I plop it onto her stroller and go from there. If needed, she will also ride in the car seat that is on the stroller. She thinks it is a fun ride and gets us from point A to B in the airport in a jiffy with no lugging of her or the seat!

 

[Wendybird55]

Thanks for the info - it's certainly good food for thought. We have to get a new carseat anyway - DH just got a new PU truck and this one has a back seat (his current one doesn't). We want to get a car seat for his new truck so we don't have to switch cars anymore when he picks up DS from Grandmas. So I will definately look for one that works well on both plane and in the truck. Right now I have a Cosco Alpha Omega and it's very big - great for the family car, but I think something smaller will be better for both the truck and airplane. Also, don't the airlines have restrictions on what types of car seats can be used? I need th check this out also.

Thanks...

 

[all4fun]

Up to this point we have not been using our car seat on the airplane. For several reasons, we now realize its not a good idea to not have our almost two year in a car seat on the plane. Unfortunately the two car seats we have are both big bulky Britax Diplomats. Please recommend a lightweight car seat that will fit in the seat on the airplane. The car seat doesn't have to be super fancy as we plan to use it only when traveling.

The Cosco Scenera w/5pt harness is a good but basic seat and only costs about $40-50 at Target/Kmart/Walmart. We traveled with it's predesessor, the Touriva (recommeded to us here on the Dis ) until ds outgrew it by height. It's definitely lighter than your Diplomat is - about 10# IIRC. Now, the one mentioned here:

If your kids are to tall or heavy for the Scenera another great seat is the Graco Nautilus. It is more expensive ($150) but it has pretty high harness slots and goes to 65lbs harnessed. Once your child maxes out the seat by height or weight, you remove the harness and it becomes a booster seat until 100lbs (I think that's the upper range).

I agree the Nautilus is a good option as a secondary seat and also, since the weight limit is higher, and the top slots are taller than the diplomat's, the Nautilus will last your child a lot longer too. The Nautilus is airline approved with the harness, and it also converts to a decent belt positioning booster (both high and low back) once the harness is outgrown.

Thanks for the info - it's certainly good food for thought. We have to get a new carseat anyway - DH just got a new PU truck and this one has a back seat (his current one doesn't). We want to get a car seat for his new truck so we don't have to switch cars anymore when he picks up DS from Grandmas. So I will definately look for one that works well on both plane and in the truck. Right now I have a Cosco Alpha Omega and it's very big - great for the family car, but I think something smaller will be better for both the truck and airplane. Also, don't the airlines have restrictions on what types of car seats can be used? I need to check this out also.

Thanks...

The car seat needs to have an internal 5pt harness and have a sticker on it that says "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft" . Here's a link to the FAA site http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/


Your 3-in-1 is airline approved when using it as a 5pt car seat. You can take the base off when using it as a 5pt seat (the instructions are in the section of the manual that tells how to switch it to booster mode). This is what we did with ours and it did make it a little lighter and easier to travel with. I still bought a Scenera after that trip though (we needed another seat for a 2nd vehicle anyway). If you're going to buy a 2nd seat, I'd recommend getting a higher weight limit seat or at least one that has taller top slots than the 3-in-1's do. The AO's tend to be outgrown quickly due to the low top harness slots (2nd from top adjustment position). My ds, who was an IUGR micro preemie, outgrew his 3-in-1 by height by the time he was three, and he was only 27lbs. He didn't outgrow his bigger seats w/taller top slots by height until closer to age 5. Just my experience and some food for thought.
hth

 

[gottalovethem]

For me, using a carseat on the plane for DS2 is just easier. He KNOWS what to expect in that seat and cannot unbuckle himself. Much easier for me.

PP, I believe the carsears have to be by the window seat, FYI

 

[dmked]

For me, using a carseat on the plane for DS2 is just easier. He KNOWS what to expect in that seat and cannot unbuckle himself. Much easier for me.

PP, I believe the carsears have to be by the window seat, FYI

They do not have to be in a window, they just cannot be in the aisle. When we flew to Hawaii a few months ago we had 3 across (in the middle of the airplane) and DD had to be in the middle in her carseat. I think a carseat is easier for them to sleep in since it has sides to rest on. I also used the side of her carseat to rest my head for a little nap! Also you will most likely need a carseat to transport from the airport to Disney (or wherever you go!)

 

[Wendybird55]

Thanks for the info all4fun. I forgot about taking off the base. I'll give it a try.

DS is growing fast and a new car seat has been in the back of my mind. Right now my COSCO is fine, but I know it won't be for too much longer even though it said it can take up to 100lbs I think.

At least I have a couple of months to do my research and find the right carseat for both the plane and long term use at home.

I called the airlines today (Continental) and they told me all I needs is to have the tag you mentioned. Also, I'm sure most models will secure fine with a lap only belt.

As I said he will be in the middle seat. Either DH or my sister will be in the window - I will be on the aisle and DS will be in the middle. The other adult will be on the aisle right across.

In addition to a car seat I'm looking for a good universal battery for a portable DVD player - I want to make sure I have more then enough battery life to get us through the flight.

Thanks again everyone for your input.

 

[mdurette]

As I said he will be in the middle seat. Either DH or my sister will be in the window - I will be on the aisle and DS will be in the middle. The other adult will be on the aisle right across

Just an FYI - whenever we fly with DD Southwest requires her car seat to be at the window. in case of emergency - they don't want the window seat passenger trying to hurdle the car seat.

Also - a bit of advice - the car seats high puts toddlers feet just at the right level to kick/push the seat in from of them. If the plane is booked you might want to put the other adult in the seat in front of the baby.

Trust me.....they don't do it on purpose - there legs just are RIGHT THERE - Been there and it has the potential of not being pleasant!!!

 

[jessica52877]

If your kids are to tall or heavy for the Scenera another great seat is the Graco Nautilus. It is more expensive ($150) but it has pretty high harness slots and goes to 65lbs harnessed. Once your child maxes out the seat by height or weight, you remove the harness and it becomes a booster seat until 100lbs (I think that's the upper range).

It is another excellent option.

FWIW, we too dd's Britax Advantage and ds' Britax Boulevard on multiple flights w/ no issues whatsoever. I didn't bother purchasing another seat for plane travel.

I agree with the Nautilus. I bought it specifically for flying with my 5 1/2 year old, YES, you'll read that right. I still take a seat for him! I wouldn't put him in a car without it, not putting him on the plane without it.

We're going to WDW in Sept. with our sone who will be 23months at the time. Our flight (from NY) is about 3 hours. After some thoughts. I'm 99.9% sure I will not bring his carseat.

We will be 3 across - he'll be in the middle seat.
It's a moning flight - I hope he can streach out a bit and fall asleep.
We're bringing his portable DVD player (he loves watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse plus alot of toys and food and snacks.) I just figure the car seat is one more thing to lug and not sure if it's really needed as he is now sitting fine in church and on chairs and such.

I'm just curious - since your child will be around the same age as mine when you go to Disney, why do you think a car seat is so necessary? Is there anything I'm missing. I'd love to hear your thoughts as this is the first time I will be flying with my son or a child of this age.

Thanks..

For me it is a safety thing. Same as I said above. I wouldn't put him in a car without a carseat why would I put him on a plane. Turbulence was horrible on our last trip, so bad that I actually thought the plane was going to crash.

It is also easier for him to sleep, holds him up and place to rest his head. I also lay on the side of it for my headrest.

Airtran has ALWAYS made us put the carseat in the window, it was always me, DS and DH traveling, so I would have been the one in the window seat and fine with it but they do not allow it.

For anyone concerned with lugging it through the airport, just plop it in the stroller and carry the child. A whole heck of a lot easier.

 

[Colinsmom]

They do not have to be in a window, they just cannot be in the aisle.

Not quite true. If there is only one aisle on the plane, they must be next to a window. If there are two aisles, they can be next to the window OR in the middle of the center section. Sounds like you were in the center section on your trip to Hawaii.

 

[mrs.explorer1977]

We just bought a Sunshine Kids Radian car seat for DS. We'll use it in our Jeep, as well as on the planes. Since the seat folds, it's only 7 inches wide and comes with a carry strap. We figure it's gonna be GREAT for the plane in December. It's a bit pricier than the other options ($260 CAD)

Also, it's got a low profile, so you can still use the tray with your toddler for eating/coloring/etc on the plane.

HTH!

 

[Wendybird55]

mrsexplorer...I was noticing the Sunshine car seats online and liked the looks of them. How is yours? Do you like it?
I'm hoping when we take the base off, the Cosco we have will fit nicely in DH's new truck and then I can spend the $$ on a new car seat for family car.

First I'm calling the airlines to confirm what seat my son has to sit in with car seat - we told them his age when booking and even when I called last night to ask about what type of car seat to use - no one mentioned that it had to go in specific seat...Thanks again everyone for all the info.

 

[Wendybird55]

Just as an FYI - I just called Continental Airlines and asked them is there's a specific seat I need to place the car seat for my son.

I was told if it's a rear-facing car seat it needs to be window, but if it's a front-facing car seat it can be in any seat as long as it's not emergency exit row. So it sounds like I can put him in the middle seat with an adult on each side. I also figure it would b easier if I was on the aisle to get up and out in case I need to take him to the bathroom.

 

[jessica52877]

I came over to say that airtran needed to change our flight so reassign our seats. I called their reservations/customer service # to handle this and explained to the lady that we had a carseat my son would be sitting in. She tried to put us in an exit row and I knew we couldn't sit there and that was when I told her, so she said okay, then how about the row in front of the exits. I agreed. WELL, once on the plane from LA to Atlanta, no short flight and it completely boarded and full the flight attendants decided to tell us we couldn't sit in that row and we could give them the seat and they would gate check it. Of course, I disagreed with that, the checking it part and they had to ask someone to switch us. When I questioned why this happened they told me that the people are just answering the phones and have no idea of the rules and regulations, so just don't be surprised if you get on the plane and are told differently.

I actually came to post this before I had read you even called, hopefully they are right, although in all honestly it shouldn't matter where he is sitting vs the carseat you buy, all that will happen is it will end up coming further over into the middle seat if wider.