Has anyone used Britax Marathon on airplane for baby?

[hunter6009]

As of now, I haven't bought a seat for my DS (he will be 19 months old). I'm starting to worry about that decision and thinking of buying him a seat on the plane. We have Britax Marathon carseats for him. It says it is FAA approved, but it's HUGE! Has anyone used this carseat on the plane? What did you do with the carseat while aboard the cruise?

We are also bringing just an umbrella stroller...how hard was it to lug the carseat around the airport and to the cruise ship? I can barely haul the thing around...I can't imagine having to carry that, the luggage, and DS between me and DH! Nightmare thinking about it!

Thanks!

 

[Favorite Auntie]

Most airlines offer 50% off for children under 2. They really want them seated, so I guess that is why. If the seat says it is approved, I am sure it will fit fine. How are you getting to the port from the airport? Are you staying at a hotel the night before? I ask because some hotels will hold them for you while you cruise. You can also ask your room steward to store it for you. I ahve heard both positive and negative as to whether they will do this for you. If you have a verandah, you can bring a garbage bag and leave the seat covered on the verandah.

 

[hunter6009]

Unfortunately our airline (Southwest) has a higher rate for our son than for us. The infant fare was $116 each way. Our fare was $79 each way. So if we decide to purchase him a seat, we'll be paying the full adult fare. $175 with all taxes, etc.

Thanks for the advice anyways!

 

[jodifla]

Although there are many people here who will try to scare you, the truth is most lap children do just fine. We flew about a half-dozen times before my son turned 2, and never had a problem with him not having a seat. We have a smaller carseat, and were driving, so we did need to take our car seat with us. Often, we were able to use it in an empty seat. If not, we just held our son.

You might search for the Britax seat to see if there are those who mention it. I do seem to recall people have trouble installing the big car seats on the plane.

 

[TSirgey]

How long is your flight? I agree that most children on laps do just fine.

Also, I do not see many people who take their carseats on the plane. Most people check them with their luggage. When we when my dd was 3 and 4, she sat in the seat just fine.

I usually push my daughter in her stroller all the way up to the plane entrance and they will store your stroller for you and have it ready when you get off the plane. I like to use the stroller in the airport.

 

[kzybulew]

Hi,
We have the Britax Marathon and have flown six times with my son as a ticketed passenger. Personally, I do advocate having your child as a ticketed passenger (i.e. in his own seat.) I think it is safer and more comfortable for you and your child.
To transport the carseat we use a backpack carrier. It is bulky but not that heavy and makes it easier to carry the carseat around and still have your hands. We have the "Ultimate Car Seat Carrier" by J.L. Childress Co. I purchased it at babycenter dot com. (I've spelled out the website names as I'm not sure of the posting policy on disboards.)
My advice: I do try to board as early as possible. When flying alone with my son at the bottom of the jetway before boarding I ask a flight attendant to place my carseat at our seat assignment. I've had flight attendants with varying degrees of helpfulness. Some hold my son while I buckle in the car seat, (the lap belt just slides through the slot in the back,) others have done it for me. When my DH is with me one installs the car seat while the other carries the diaper bag and folds the stroller to gate check.
I think Southwest's crew is supposed to be very friendly so hopefully they'll help you. It is hectic boarding with a toddler but before your know it you'll be settled in and on your way.
More options:
There is also a product that I have seen online called "go go kidz Travelmate." It seems like it attaches to your carseat and makes it so you can wheel your child while s/he's in the car seat. You can see it at their website gogobabyz dot com.
Another option that I know of through friends who are satisfied with it is the "Sit and Stroll." It's a combination stroller/car seat although the reviews online say it is convenient but it's not a GREAT stroller OR carseat. It can also be purchased at babycenter dot com.

Good luck whatever you decide.
kzybulew

 

[cruiserkaren]

We used our Britax Marathon on Delta last fall (13 months old). This fall (23 1/2 months old) we decided not to take her car seat with us. We bought her a seat and used the lap belt. She did wonderful. DH and I were both glad not to lug it around as Britax's are very heavy, bulky and big. There is great debate over this issue. Do what you are comfortable with and have a great trip!

 

[Cruella de mom]

I think the pros and cons vary depending on the length of the flight and how experienced your child is at traveling. And on the temperment of your child. If he or she is happy to play in your lap then you should be fine.

We have always bought our children their own seats but we have also been known to give that seat up for a free flight (& once we got two free tickets for the price of our discounted ticket)

Our children did better in car seats at toddlers, it was familiar and they knew they could not get out. AS they became more experienced fliers, they learned that they could not get up and run around and seatbelts were fine.

If the plane isn't full they will probably rearrange people so that the toddler can have a seat but I haven't been on a less than booked flight in ages so DON'T count on that .

Be sure to have a sippy cup ready for take off and landings - it helps keep their ears from bothering them as the cabin pressure changes.

 

[CarolA]

I am not trying to scare anyone...

It is a proven fact that your child is much safer in thier car seat in a seat. Now chances are VERY good that nothing will ever happen, but the one chance in a million does exist....
Personally most 19 month old babies are so big that I can't imagine trying to keep them calm and quiet in a lap for any lenght of time.

 

[bubbasmom99]

Have taken our Marathon on Delta and Southwest and it fits just fine.

Whether or not my DD actually sat still IN the seat is another question altogether, lol. She preferred screaming so she spent much of one flight in my lap anyway....

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We took a Marathon on United last year and got it to the gate by strapping it to our rolling luggage using a bungee cord. Another adult wheeled the child to the gate in the stroller, then gate-checked the stroller when boarding. It worked really well.

We found a great advantage to using the carseat was that we didn't have to fight about staying in the seat on the plane even though other children were running up and down the aisles!

Good luck -- Suzanne

 

[PearlandPaige]

We have taken my 17-month old in a Britax Marathon on Delta, Southwest, Continental and Continental Express. It fit fine on all of those planes BUT when it is forward-facing he can kick the seat in front of him very easily and when it is rear-facing the person in front of him cannot recline (who cares, IMO, but it may be a concern if you're more sensitive to fellow passengers than me). We have also taken him as a lap child. Putting aside safety issues, I still prefer to have him have his own seat because it is easier on us. He is more likely to sleep in his seat than he is in my lap and I don't have to spend several hours on a flight feeling like I am wrestling a greased alligator. We've never really had problems with him as a lap child, though. In fact, after our last flight with him as a lap child, during which DH and I thought he was about as badly behaved as he could have been, we had four different people comment to us what a good baby he was and how he deserved the "best baby flier" award.

As for carrying the seat through the airport, we use an Eddie Bauer carseat carrier that is lightweight (like a nylon duffle bag). We have also strapped it to a luggage cart with a bungee cord. That worked like a dream.

 

[tjmw2727]

We always used a carseat when flying with our dd's, even when they would have been free otherwise. As long as your seat has the sticker indicating it is approved for use in aircraft you can use it. IMHO - if the FAA and the AAP recommend using a CRS for children under 40lbs I am going to do so even if it costs me a little more.

As for the seat kicking, I always booked us 2/2 or 2/1 and either dh or I had the "pleasure" of sitting in front of dd with the other parent beside her. We also took off shoes and gave small rewards like a pop or juice box, even stickers for not kicking. This also works if your using a CRS rearfacing as either dh or I would be the one who could not recline.

My sil just got a great carseat bag from babies r us that can be worn as a backpack or rolled like luggage, I don't think it was much more than $20.

If anyone is interested I will post the links from the FAA and the AAP for reference.

Another thought for the OP - unless you are using some type of bus transportation you will need a CRS from the airport to the port so you may have to bring the CRS anyway.

Have a wonderful cruise, can't wait for ours in Feb 06!
TJ

 

[pjupton]

We have flown with two Britax Wizards. They are the same seat as the Marathon with extra side-impact protection. They are absolutely HUGE. We have the carry cases with both "backpack" straps and wheels, but it was still a major PIA to get them + two babies + a stroller + one carryon through security and onto the plane.

We did get them to fit in the seats (Delta) but barely got them out. We almost missed a connection because no one could get under the seat to unlatch the buckle. Our boys were up too high to use the tray and kicked the seats in front of them the whole time. I had to choose between letting them kick or physically restaining their legs the entire flight while they screamed.

Do you have any way to borrow a smaller seat? Or even purchase a "cheapie"?

 

[SuzPasq]

I agree with those who have strongly suggested the use of the carseat on the plane. We've always had Britaxes and they work great on planes.

My new tip is that I generally let my children walk, and use the stroller to hold the carseat as we walk through the airport. Then I sling bags on the handles so all I usually have to hold is little toddler hands. What I love about this is they have the opportunity to get out lots of energy by walking through the airport!

 

[hunter6009]

Hey, Where in KY are you BTW? We live in KY, too! It's a small world! No pun intended!

 

[Rocket-Man]

We used a Britax Maraton all the time on Southwest, fits fine. We also used it on CO (regional jets and mainline) and Northwest. Should fit all just fine. In our case he feels "at home" and usually sleep 75% of flights (27 months old and over 8 round trips!). One thing not mentioned here before however is the fact I get a bit nervous about person in front of my son quickly reclining there seat fully and perhap pinching,twisting,or hurting his feet as space between seats is so limited with car seat. Often I politely ask this person seated in front of my son during boarding to please recline slowly or just let me know, usually works fine.

 

[pjupton]

Hey, Where in KY are you BTW?

Me? We're in Lexington. I grew up in Elizabethtown.

 

[hunter6009]

We're in Louisville...went to UK in Lex! Just there yesterday for work! It is a small world! LOL!
Thanks for your help!