Flying with Britax Frontier

[PoohHappens]

Has anyone flown with a Britax Frontier? We are not sure it is going to fit in the airplane seat. Thanks.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

My kids ride in Britax seats in my car but not on planes ~ DD's travel seat was a Cosco Scenera *great travel/2nd/spare seat* now that she's outgrown I gate check a booster for her *if she'll be in a vehicle with seat belts during our visit to whereever. If the Fronteir is anything like DS's soon to be expired *bummer* Husky then no it's not FAA approved ~ the Husky is BIG.

 

[Bren's Mom]

It's likely to be tight. And you can only use it on the plane if you're using the harness, NOT as a booster.

How old is your child and what does he weigh? Will you need a car seat at your destination? Perhaps we can give you some alternate suggestions.

 

[Schmeck]

Has anyone flown with a Britax Frontier? We are not sure it is going to fit in the airplane seat. Thanks.

You can only use it if it has the FAA approval sticker on it - if it does, then it should fit. If it doesn't have the approval sticker, you can't use it, no matter the size.

 

[kpm76]

We have flown with the Marathon several times and it is just fine.....I think the Marathon is a bulkier seat than the Frontier so you should be ok. I would suggest reclining the seat while you fasten the seat belt. It gives you more hand room to maneuver the belt.....

 

[PoohHappens]

Thanks for the info. It is not actually me who is flying with it but my friend. I just know everyone on the Dis is friendly and a wealth of information. Her child is 2years old and he weighs 30ish lbs. It is his normal seat. It is FAA approved. He will be using the 5 point harness. She must have it with her for her destination, plus they are flying from Hawaii so she wants him in a seat on the plane. Long flight for a little guy. They are in process of moving (military family) and will be in the 48 for a couple months and then on to Alaska so his seat will be needed.

 

[Schmeck]

Thanks for the info. It is not actually me who is flying with it but my friend. I just know everyone on the Dis is friendly and a wealth of information. Her child is 2years old and he weighs 30ish lbs. It is his normal seat. It is FAA approved. He will be using the 5 point harness. She must have it with her for her destination, plus they are flying from Hawaii so she wants him in a seat on the plane. Long flight for a little guy. They are in process of moving (military family) and will be in the 48 for a couple months and then on to Alaska so his seat will be needed.

That's just plain cruel, getting moved from gorgeous, tropical Hawaii to Alaska, of all places! Not a slam on Alaska (yes, I know it is beautiful there too), just that it's a totally different world up there!

 

[Bren's Mom]

Thanks for the info. It is not actually me who is flying with it but my friend. I just know everyone on the Dis is friendly and a wealth of information. Her child is 2years old and he weighs 30ish lbs. It is his normal seat. It is FAA approved. He will be using the 5 point harness. She must have it with her for her destination, plus they are flying from Hawaii so she wants him in a seat on the plane. Long flight for a little guy. They are in process of moving (military family) and will be in the 48 for a couple months and then on to Alaska so his seat will be needed.

I wouldn't fly with the Frontier. It's big and bulky and heavy. It's an expensive seat, not one I'd want to risk dropping and having to replace.

At 2 years and 30lbs her child can easily fit into a Cosco Scenera. Right now you can get one at Walmart for $39.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Scenera-5-Point-Convertible-Car-Seat-Black-Santee/13004563

It will fit her child just fine, it's easy to install, lightweight to carry. If it gets damaged, no big deal it was only $39.

Have their Frontier moved with the military so that it will be replaced if lost or damaged.

 

[bumbershoot]

I wouldn't fly with the Frontier. It's big and bulky and heavy. It's an expensive seat, not one I'd want to risk dropping and having to replace.

At 2 years and 30lbs her child can easily fit into a Cosco Scenera. Right now you can get one at Walmart for $39.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Cosco-Scenera-5-Point-Convertible-Car-Seat-Black-Santee/13004563

It will fit her child just fine, it's easy to install, lightweight to carry. If it gets damaged, no big deal it was only $39.

Have their Frontier moved with the military so that it will be replaced if lost or damaged.

Good idea, I agree. DS loved his Scenera, far more than he liked his Roundabout. Not sure why, but that's how it was.

 

[PoohHappens]

That is a good suggestion and I thought of it for her, however I have looked at that seat and it does not look very padded or comfortable. Kind of just like sitting on the hard plastic. He will be having to ride in the seat for hours on end. It is a 10hr flight then fly to MN then drive to TX then they are driving from TX to Vancouver or somewhere and then ferrying to Alaska. I know I did not offer this info in OP, I just wanted to know if the seat would fit. The crazy driving has to do with visiting family they have not seen the whole time In Hawaii before going to Alaska where they will not be seeing them again. He is comfy in this seat and used to riding in it. I do love the suggestion though and if it were just a matter of a simple flight that would be the way to go. When our baby gets older I think we will get one as our second back up seat.

 

[bumbershoot]

Like I said, DS liked the Scenera better. Seems backwards, but can't argue with the kid.

Thankfully, since we kept him rear-facing and therefore in the Scenera and Roundabout until he was probably 3.5 years old (to the very weight limit for rear-facing in those seats at that time), I was ultimately able to ask him...the plush Roundabout made him sweat like crazy, and therefore was less comfy. Didn't matter how his bottom felt (and since we used cloth dipes until he worked out the potty when he was 2.5, he had a plush bottom, LOL) if he was burning up with heat from the squashy seat!



"The Frontier can be used on aircraft, but only with the harness. It may not be used on aircraft as a booster. The top tether is not used on airplanes."

"it is stamped approved for airline use" (but the rest of that was...." I worked as a flight attendant for years before I was a mom and my husband is a pilot: we both agree that we bet it will not fit into an airplane seat even though it is stamped approved for airline use (not as backless booster). And we both double agree that toting that seat through the airport sounds awful.")



What if they gate-checked the Frontier, and used that CARES harness on the plane? Or at least had that as an option, IF the Frontier doesn't fit in the seat and has to be gate checked at the last minute?

 

[dhardawa]

For the airport, I highly recommend the Go Go Kidz Travelmate. You attach it to the car seat and pull it along. It is fantastic.

As for the plane, I bet the Frontier will fit. It is nowhere near as wide as a Husky/Regent. For a small 2 year old, I'd use that over the CARES Harness. I used the CARES Harness for my son last year when he had just turned two and I found that he wanted to slide forward in the seat (since there is no crotch strap). I think it is great for an older child, but he just seemed too small.

 

[disneydreamerbelle]

I have a frontier and a boulevard. They seem to be about the same size (enormous) and we have flown with the boulevard many times. The frontier will go with us next time using the harness (we always use the harness).

When I am traveling especially in taxis I want my kid in the safest seat possible . Also there is no way I would gate check that seat. We always set the seat on the stroller and wheel it through the airport it's so much easier that way.

We have had flight attendants try to persuade us to gate check it, but if it's FAA approved you have the right to use it.

Also, tell her to keep in mind that it puts the kiddos legs very close to the seat in front. We always book the seat in front of the car seat to make sure that those active legs don't kick the seat back of any other passengers. DH usually gets the privilege of sitting there.

Oh and I second the reclining the seat to get the seat belt attached and detached. I also heard you can ask for a seat belt extender which will make the process much easier, we will test this out on our next flight.

 

[locolala]

I agree with using the CARES and gate checking the seat. I wouldn't ship it with the military.. it would be quite a long time before they'll see it again. It took my HHG (household goods) a month to get from Southern CA to West VA when I was discharged. If it is damaged, there's a long process to get the reimbursement, and they may not give you the full value. I've dealt with the military on this before, and it's a real hassle!