FAA Certified Car Seats

[debster]

Not sure if this has been covered, but does anyone have information on where to get a good car seat that is FAA approved for use in an airplane?

We went to look at WalMart and everyone was NOT FAA approved.

Thanks!

 

[wuv tigger]

We have 1 car seat that is FAA approved (it will have a sticker on the side of the car seat).

Also check @ Target.

Hope this helps.
Judy

 

[debster]

Thanks, what brand and model do you have?

 

[JennsBabySky]

What kind of carseat are you looking for? For what age, height, weight child? This will help with carseat recommendations. What kind of carseat(s) do you have now?

Many convertible and combination carseats and infant seats are approved for airplane use. However, all booster only seats (without an internal 5 point harness) are not FAA approved because they must be used with a lap and shoulder belt and airplanes do not have shoulder belts.

Thank you,
Jennifer

 

[debster]

I am looking for one that is for 40 lbs and up.

I have a 3 year old that weighs about 38 pounds and we are looking for the next size.

Mine is a Graco and is NOT FAA certified.

Thanks for your help

 

[JennsBabySky]

Hi Debster,

Unfortunately, there are very few options for five point harnesses above 40#s. But there are three and I believe 2 are FAA approved (this is why you are having so much trouble finding one). Other than a seat with a higher limit for the 5 point harness, your only other option for above 40#s is a belt positioning booster. None of the belt positioning boosters will be FAA approved because boosters need shoulder belts in addition to lapbelts to function properly. No airplanes have shoulder belts, so there is no point in searching for an FAA approved belt positioning booster, it simply will not exist (sorry). All the Graco, Evenflo, Cosco, etc. combination (forward facing carseat that converts to a booster) carseats that are currently on the market are approved for use with the harness only until 40#s. After 40#s, the booster portion must be used. Many claim they can be used to 80#s. This can be true, if your child doesn't outgrow the harness by weight or height before the late 4's. Most 3 years olds are not mature enough for a belt positioning booster. In general, most 3 year olds wiggle a little too much (mine does!) and have a tendency to fall asleep. A harnessed seat is much safer (especially for a 3 year old), but it is ultimately your decision on what is best for your child. As far as the five point harnesses that are available for above 40#s, they are:

Britax Marathon -- harnesses to 65# I've read multiple posts (other boards) from people successfully installing in airplanes. This is a rather expensive seat (usually $200 plus), but has many safety features that make it easier to use.

Britax Husky (used to be Super Elite) -- harnesses to 80#, but very bulky and not FAA approved.

Nania Airway -- harnesses to 50#, then converts to belt positioning booster. I did find one spreadsheet that says this is FAA approved, but I do not have experience with this brand. This is better priced (around $100), but difficult to find except online. I have also heard that the harness is threaded differently than what we expect in the US (it is a European seat). It is possible to rethread the seat harness to make it look more like a US seat. If you want more info on that, either post back here or post at the car seat forum at parentsplace.com (multiple carseat techs post on that board and would be willing to help)

Please, please let me know if you have any further questions.

Take care,
Jennifer

 

[jel0511]

I just wanted to add to JennsBabySky's post. I currently own a Britax Marathon and I paid $250 for the seat. I would recommend this seat if your child was smaller, but since your child is already 3 and 38 lbs, I wouldn't spend that kind of money on the Britax. It is a WONDERFUL seat, and is allowed to be used up to 65 lbs, but after 40 lbs must be used with the seatbelt, not LATCH. Also, most children outgrow this seat in height WAY BEFORE they outgrow it in weight. My DS is 2 1/2, and I've had the seat for 6 months now, and I do love it. He currently is around 35 - 36 inches tall and weights 28 lbs. Basesd on his current size, I expect him to outgrow the seat in about 4 more inches in height, which will probably get me one more year in it. That's the problem with MOST of the car seats that have a 5 pt harness system up to a higher weight limit, most children outgrow them in height WAY BEFORE the weight restriction even comes into play. The Husky by Britax would be your only option for a longer lasting seat, but due to it not being FAA approved (the reason I didn't buy it) wouldn't qualify for your needs. Just a note, the FAA as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics says it's completely fine for a child who weighs 40 lbs ( you're almost there) to sit on a airplane with just the lap belt. They're safety isn't compromised at that time. My DD (almost 6) hasn't hit 40 lbs yet, but obviously has outgrown all 5 point harnesses since she's average height for her age, and has been in a belt positioning booster since she was 4 (the Husky wasn't manufactured 2 years ago). It seems like you're in between a rock and a hard place here, if you really are looking for the safest car seat for your child and still would like him/her in a 5 pt harness for a while longer, I'd buy the Britax Husky. It's just as expensive as the Marathon, around $250, but will last you for a couple of years, and you'll just have to use the lap belt on the plane, since that is fine for the weight of your child and is the recommended way by many different organizations.

 

[JennsBabySky]

I remembered one more carseat last night that was harnessed after 40#s. It is the Fisher Price Futura which harnesses until 60#s. I am not sure if it is FAA approved. Unfortunately this seat is really hard to find because it is no longer being manufactured. I've heard rumors that it can sometimes be found at Big Lots, but I've never seen it there. If you can find it at Big Lots, you will probably get a very safe seat for a great price. Just wanted to add this in case you stumbled across one.

Jennifer

 

[debster]

WOW! Thanks for all the info everyone!

We have baby #3 on the way so I really don't mind spending $$ for a good one since another child will eventually use it.

 

[NotUrsula]

What no one bothered to say was that you won't find Britax seats at WalMart, or Target, or any general mdse. store of that type. Depending on your market, you may or may not find Britax at BRUS. The only nationwide kids chain that always carries them in-store is the RightStart (and the RightStart sections in ZanyBrainy stores.)

You will get the best price on Britax by web-shopping.

PS: I've seen Futuras at Tuesday Morning on occasion. The only catch is that most of the ones available are quickly reaching the 5-yr. date, and the warranty will not apply after that date.

 

[disneyfan551]

MY SIL will be flying with her 2yo dd next week. Does she HAVE to be in a car seat???

Thanks!

 

[NotUrsula]

If she's already 2, she has to have a purchased seat, regardless, so there is no money savings in doing without it.

Some airlines are now advising passengers that a child under 40 lbs that is in his/her own seat MUST use a carseat. Not a law at this time, but some airlines are making it their own rule. Your SIL should call her airline and ask.

From a practical standpoint, using a carseat is much safer in case of turbulence. An average 2 yo will NOT sit quietly with only a lap belt; they want to explore, and they tend to stand up constantly and try to crawl into parents' laps. Using a carseat usually makes for a much less trying flight for the child's parents, and for the other passengers, too.

 

[Familymoon]

I was doing some research on this last night - trying to determine what is best for our family - and trying to find information on the current seat we use...

I was astonished to read this! (thought you might like to as well)
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/airplanetravel.aspx

 

[lindaso]

If you have another baby on the way, I would definitely go with the Britax Marathon. With another child, you'll get your money's worth out of the seat and have something safe on the plane.

I have the Fisher Price Futura 5 pt which I got when my DD was 2 and it was the only option out there. While it's not my favorite seat, it does get the job done and fits fine in a plane. I considered buying the Marathon when it came out but if I buy another carseat, my DH would keel over. With "off the charts" kids, I've bought MANY seats over the years. But I love my Britax Roundabout so I think Britax is the way to go. Good luck!!

 

[vald1977]

Some airlines are now advising passengers that a child under 40 lbs that is in his/her own seat MUST use a carseat. Not a law at this time, but some airlines are making it their own rule.

This is good to know. I have a rather small (38" 34lbs.) 4 year old ds and we are taking our first plane trip with him in a couple of weeks. I bought a high back booster seat that also has the 5 point harness so we could use it on the plane as well. DH seemed to think it was unessesary to use on the plane and that we should just check it. After reading this and the link someone provided, I am more confident in my choice to have him use the seat on the plane. I will have to call the airline and check on their guidelines.

 

[mama2tori]

I highly recommend the Britax Marathon. I just bought one for my DD at age 4. She is currently 41" tall and weighs about 36 pounds. The weight limit on this is 65 pounds and the height limit is 49". She is 4.5 years old and has to be in a carseat until age 6 (California). I doubt she will gain more than 29 pounds or grow more than 8" in the next 1 1/2 years. However, just in case she does I also have the Britax Husky that she can use after the Marathon that will take her to 100 pounds (I think). We plan to have her 5-point harnessed until at least age 8 (more if I can).

Since you have a baby on the way, I would recommend the Marathon. You can use it rear facing for the new baby and then forward facing. As long as your kiddo doesn't pass the limits, I think it would take your new baby from infant to 4-6 years! It's worth the money if it is the only carseat you buy (vs. getting 1 infant carrier/carseat, 1 convertible and 1 booster).

Good luck,
monique

 

[becka]

I have not yet flown with a little one but we bought a Britax Marathon last year and I love it. It is a great carseat and if you have another little one on the way I would highly recommend it.