Best Car Seat for Airplane Travel

[suburbanmommy]

Please help -

We are travelling by plane with our DD who will be approximately 6 months at the time of travel. We own a Britax Marathon for her, but I am concerned (1) that it will be too large for the airplane seat and (2) that it will somehow be destroyed during the trip. I want to buy a safe seat that is not too expensive, considering it will only be used a limited number of times. Any suggestions on the safest seat for airline travel? We will be purchasing DD her own airplane seat.

Thanks.

[Joolsplus2]

Many people have flown with the MA and been very happy with it...it fits great on the plane, and will fit well on some luggage carts, so you can easily wheel it through the airport.
But, the Cosco Touriva is a wonderfully light, small, easy to install and use seat, that costs only $50 and would be great for travelling and spare use. It's also called the "regal ride" at target for the same price.
I really hope these are turning out to be good seats, and it's not just the one I keep going to play with at my walmart that is the best one ever made (easy harness adjustment, non-twist straps, decent padding...), since I recommend it to everyone for a spare seat, lol.
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[Sarah1]

If you're planning to do a lot of traveling with your DD, you might consider a Sit 'n Stroll. We also have a Marathon, and I looked into buying cheaper (and smaller) carseats to use for the plane, and ultimately I decided on the Sit 'n Stroll--it's a carseat that converts into a stroller, so you can wheel them through the airport. Then when you get to your destination, you can use it as your carseat.

It's especially nice to have if you are ever traveling alone w/your baby--I think it would be near impossible to handle a carseat, stroller AND baby.

Something else to consider, although if you don't do much flying it probably wouldn't be worth it.

[lcl]

we recently flew with the marathon in nov on American airlines without a problem. bought a ticket for my son who is 16 mo

[nitaghei]

Julie,

Just wanted to let you know - we bought the Regal Ride as a backup seat for DH's car on your recommendation (have a RA as the main seat). We are very happy with it. It was easy to install, the straps don't twist and it has decent padding. Obviously, it seems bare bones compared to the RA - but then, it was a fraction of the price, too.

So - thanks for the recommendation!

Nita
mom to Neel 01/05/03
dog mom to a cocker and a PWD

[nitaghei]

Julie,

Just wanted to let you know - we bought the Regal Ride as a backup seat for DH's car on your recommendation (have a RA as the main seat). We are very happy with it. It was easy to install, the straps don't twist and it has decent padding. Obviously, it seems bare bones compared to the RA - but then, it was a fraction of the price, too.

So - thanks for the recommendation!

Nita
mom to Neel 01/05/03
dog mom to a cocker and a PWD

[teddy]

I was intrigued by the mention of the Samsonite Micro Mover, so I looked on their website and came across this Pak Back, which is a backpack harness for your own carseat!

http://www.samsonitecompanystores.com/webapp/scs/servlet/SProductSelector?productcategory=C35&ps0=C35TYPT06&storeId=10151&langId=-1

So you can take your own car seat, attach it to this harness, and wear it on your back while you push your child in her own comfy, plush stroller. Clever!

[jesseandgrace]

Hi. Do you have an infant carseat? We just did a ton of travelling with our six month old and the infant carseat was a life saver. That way you can carry the baby in the carseat and it makes it so much easier to get around. It also gives the baby a place to sleep on the road, and you can use one with most strollers. Most can get a really tight fit without the base, so you don't have to travel with a base (except the Peg Perego - I think it needs a base).

Jennifer

[Joolsplus2]

Oh good! Thanks for the feedback :)
I'm glad the seat is working out for you :)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[suburbanmommy]

First, Thanks to everyone who responded.

As for taking the Marathon with me - I am not sure that is a good idea. I called the airlines and the plane seat is only 17 1/2 inches wide. The Marathon is simply too wide. Also, my girlfriend told me that she brought her RA for a plane ride and that the airlines forced her to check it because it did not meet FAA standards. That happened 2X.

She said that when they took her seat away they suggested that she sit with her DS in her lap attached to her by her Baby Biorn. I wonder whether that is a good idea. I bought DD her own seat and intend to get a second car seat for airplane endeavors. I am going to try to find the Cosco seat recommended above and check out its dimensions and whether it is FAA approved. I understand that Graco makes the Comfort Sport, which is FAA approved, but costs between $80-100. Yuck.

Lastly, I do have an infant seat, but we stopped using it when DD was 4 months old. I couldn't believe it -- she outgrew the infant seat by height. I have a Graco Snugride. The max height is 26 inches. She was beyond the height maximum and below the weight maximum by nearly 6 pounds!

Thanks again for all the info.
What are people's thoughts re: the above?

[stillplayswithbarbies]

I have had no problem fitting my Marathon in airplane seats in any size plane.

I always buy a ticket for my baby so she has her own seat and would never let them tell me I can't use my car seat and have to put her on my lap. I would not risk her life.

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[suburbanmommy]

Karen -

Thanks for your reply. However, I checked ... the Marathon car seat is 19 1/2 inches wide. We are flying on a Boeing 737 aircraft. The seat width on that commonly flown aircraft is 17.9 inches wide. Accordingly, if I brought that seat to the gate and tried to wedge it into the airplane seat, I would have a problem.
I have no intention of risking my DD's life. That is why I too have purchased her an airplane seat of her own and why I have posted the request for info regarding a car seat that will fit on a Boeing 737 aircraft (which, incidentally, my husband flew on today from the East Coast to San Diego).
:.)

[stillplayswithbarbies]

I just flew on a 737 with no problems, the Marathon fit just fine. It might not fit in a bulkhead seat since they are more narrow and the arm rests don't lift up. Keep in mind that the car seat has to be in a window seat and you will be next to it, so you raise the arm rest between you.

I see Marathons on planes all the time. I also see Roundabouts and they are even wider at the base. I'm not sure who told you it would not fit, but parents are using them often. I did have to argue with a flight attendant about using it rear facing, but I told her that it is to be installed the same way I would use it in a car and for my 9 month old, that is rear facing. She said that people put it forward, but I think she is used to seeing it with toddlers.

I think there are old threads here about using a Marathon on a plane, I don't know if a search would turn those up for reference as well.

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[egoldber]

I have used my Roundabout on more airplanes than I can remember. I KNOW I have used it on 727s, 737s, 757s, 747s, 767s, 777s, A310s, A320s, and A300s.

The problem with fitting in an airplane seat is the width of the carseat at the height of the armrests. The RA and Marathon are fairly narrow at their base, so they tend to fit well in most airplane seats. You should have no trouble installing them. If you have paid for a seat, I would definitely DEMAND that you be allowed to TRY the seat. But no flight attendant has ever given me any trouble about our seat.

HTH,

[suburbanmommy]

I'm so confused now. I definately don't want to waste money on a second car seat if it is not necessary, but I called Continental twice and both times they told me that the seat width was 17.9 inches on the particular plane we are flying on. Could you imagine if I take the Marathon, bought the seat and couldn't fit it in. I think I would go nuts. I am torn up about what to do. I am not sure whether we have the bulkhead seats (I think that we do for one way and not the other), but I can relay something funny. My mother is flying with us and it was less costly in terms of frequent flyer miles to have her fly first class on the same flight as us than it was to have her fly in the coach cabin!

[stillplayswithbarbies]

well, think about it this way. There are people with butts wider than 17.9 inches and they fit in those seats . . .

I'm not sure what part of the Marathon you are measuring, but the difference between 17.9 and 19.5 is only 1.6 inches. That's a little more than half an inch on either side, so if you are measuring the base and they are measuring the seat cushion, you have plenty of room to hang over the edge of the seat cushion by a half inch on each side.

I've never seen anyone have to carry a seat out that was too big to fit in an airplane seat. If they are approved for use in an aircraft, that kind of implies they were tested to fit in one, I would think?

...Karen
Jacob Nathaniel Feb 91
Logan Elizabeth Mar 03

[jennifer13]

FWIW, I have the Graco Comfortsport and it is a nice carseat. And it is very lightweight. You may be glad you have the second seat- maybe a babysitter or grandparents car could use it. It was $80 at BRU.


Jennifer
Mom to Norah 5/23/03

[Joolsplus2]

The base of the Marathon is only like 12 inches wide, though. You can easily flip the armrest up and out of the way to get the seat buckled, and it's not wider than a full sized human (so you might even be able to flip the armrest back down past the widest part of the seat, which is higher than your legs...try sitting next to it in the car and you'll see it's not terrible to sit next to, owing to that tiny base). It'll definitely fit :)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[suburbanmommy]

Thanks to everyone for their imput. At this point, I agree with all of you that the Marathon will work. The issue now is that it is heavier than the ComfortSport and I would be irritated if it someone didn't make it through the entire trip in perfect condition. Also, as Jennifer says, it would be a good idea to have a second seat around. I think that I will go to BRU or Target and get a ComfortSport, unless anyone has a great reco for a less expensive, but still very safe second seat???

You have all been extremely helpful and kind with your responses.
Thanks again.

[Joolsplus2]

Yeah, it would be tragic for anything to happen to a beautiful Marathon on a plane trip.
I really think the Cosco Touriva or Regal Ride is a better choice than the Comfort Sport...lighter, less twisty straps, easier to install rearfacing and to use the harness adjuster, and taller harness slots than the comfortsport...plus 20-50 dollars less than various versions of the comfort sport...of course, that assumes the puzzle buckle on the Cosco doesn't drive you totally insane...in that case, all bets are off, lol.
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 2 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[suburbanmommy]

Are those Cosco seats the same models with different names? I will try to locate them in my area this weekend. We are travelling on Monday.

[yahud]

Hi,
We'll be going to China with by daughter, who will will be 13 months old.
We use a Wizard (eek, I know) -- will this fit same as the Marathon? I figure we'll bring the Wizard and a Volo, but would that combo seat-stroller thing be a better option?
thanks,
y

[suburbanmommy]

I have decided to go to BRU today and purchase a second car seat because I really don't want to see my Marathon damaged in any way and I am slightly concerned that by trying to fit it into the airplane seat it might get harmed. If you are interested, I will let you know what secondary seat I pick up.

I am bringing a Perego Aria with me. It is 9 pounds, a little rickety, but it will do the trick!

[jasonandgail]

Hello-
So what did you decided to do or to get? We are traveling with baby girl (10 months) next month and I can't decided which seat to get. I have a marathon but don't want to take that one so I was just going to get another seat for travel and for my hubby's car.
I did get a evenflo titan 5 but I am worried that it may be too wide as well.

Thanks!

[suburbanmommy]

We had a great time on our trip. We purchased a Graco Comfort Sport for the airplane. It was lightweight and pretty easy to get through the airport. Our daughter was comfortable on the plane and was a true delight in her seat.
My husband had a little trouble getting the carseat into the airplane seat, at first. I asked him for a recommendation - assuming you are installing the seat rear-facing, you must lift the carseat fabric up and swivel the latch attachments out of the way so that you can expose the seat belt connector, which you need for the airplane seat, as it does not have latch. He says you should do that at home and that it is not at all clear from the directions that it needs to be done. Once that is done, however, it is smooth sailing.
When you are installing the carseat on the plane, lift the fabric again to connect the seatbelt. He says that he wishes someone had told him that because it is much easier that way. P.S. The carseat check tech told my husband that he was the first person in three years to present a carset installation to her that she did not need to make one adjustment to.
I liked the look of the Evenflo seat very much, but I had two concerns: (1) It is wide; and (2) My DD is very tall and I was concerned that she would reach the height limitations too early to make the second purchase worth it.
Lastly, I brought my PP Aria with us. What a great stroller! It did the trick and is extremely lightweight.
Hope this helps.

[jasonandgail]

Thank you so much for you help. Since I already have the Titan 5, I guess I should just keep it and try it out. I got it good deal on it... $55 on sale at target. It is newly manufactured in Jan 04. I called Evenflo and they said that it is 18.75 inches wide so I think that we will be okay on the plane.
Do you like or love you aria? I have a ingelsina swift and I love it.. I just hope that it doesn't get trashed when I check it at the gate. I almost got the aria but I really wanted an umbrella style since I have a PP venezia. But maybe should have gotten the aria so I could put my PP infant seat in it.

Thanks again for your help. I will let you know how it goes with the Titan.... Plus I need to try it in hubby's car too.

Thanks again,
Gail
:7