Airplane travel with the Britax Marathon

[picturewing]

Hi Folks,
We own a Britax Marathon that we'd like to lug aboard a four-hour flight in December for our toddler's use. We'd like to know if anyone out there has experience with this particular seat, and whether or not it fits the economy cabin airplane seats, and whether you had any problems installing it on board the plane.

Also, did you buy some kind of wheelie thing to transport it around the airport, or did you just carry it by hand? (If wheelie thing was purchased, what was the brand name, model name and price?)

Thanks so much for any and all advice!
--Karen

[bensmom]

I haven't used my MA on a plane, but lots of people have without any problems. In the pinned FAQ section at the top of this forum, Karen (Stillplayswithbarbies) wrote out some detailed installation instructions for the MA.

I generally just toss my carseats on the stroller (or one of us carries the carseat and the other the kid). Others have used the GoGo Kidz attachment, which attaches to the seat. Others use a wheelie luggage cart. If you search in this forum for GoGo Kidz, you should find some reviews.

HTH!

Ilana

CPS Tech and mom

[Amaris]

We have used our marathon on a plane, and it does fit in the seats, but barely. In the airport I used a harness for the only child I had with me at the time. It straps on the child like a vest and has a long strap attached that you hold on to. I did get some looks over that thing, but with it I was able to gate check the stroller, put the marathon on it while in the airports, and know that Michael wasn't going far!! For me that was the most cost effective way to do it. I already had a full size stroller, so the marathon fit on it with no problem as long as I layed the seat down, and the harness for Michael was only $5. It sure beat buying something to use in the airport, especially since we don't do a lot of flying.

[KAK22]

We flew in July on Southwest Airlines with our RF MA. We hooked it to the stroller with plastic S-type hooks (BRU has them). We installed it RF for DD (then 18 mos). I installed it with the seatbelt going OVER the cover (check your manual for instructions). It was super easy to install and remove.

[HIU8]

We used our marathon on a trip to FL on Southwest. It was easy to install FF not RF (I actually fought with a flight attendant about the RF install), but DH could not get it to fit well. We had to install it at a window seat and had to pick up the arm rest to do it (then put it back down afterwards). DS really did not even notice the difference being FF and did not complain when we installed RF in my mothers car at the ariport. We also used a backpack carrier to lug the seat throught the airport. I would bring it again in a heartbeat.

HTH

Heather
DS 11/27/04

[DebbieJ]

I've flown with the MA and always installed it RF, even on SWA. They usually leave me alone and the RF install is a breeze! If you install FF, you will need to ask for a seatbelt extender.

I also just plop it on top of the stroller and get through the airport that way.

~ deb
DS born at home 12/03
Breastfeeding After Reduction is possible! www.bfar.org

http://www.bfar.org/members/fora/style_avatars/Ribbons/18months-bfar.jpg

[stillplayswithbarbies]

Yep, I fly with the Marathon all the time. I used to hang it from my stroller handles with hooks, but now that we don't take a stroller I either bungee cord it to my carry-on suitcase using the tether to help hold it on, or someone just carries it in hand.

I just ordered a GoGo Kidz wheel thing for it since we have a long trip coming up and I wanted to try that.

[mom2binsd]

I usually fly by myself and my Combi stroller is to narrow so I bought a carseat bag from BRU that has wheels and hooked it onto my stroller with a bungee cord so I pulled it while pushing my stoller with DD in it- I can't remember the name of the bag, it was about 24.00, the best part, the MA fits but the extra space in the bag is great for putting blankets/coats, and other bulky items (it greatly increases your carryon capacity). As for the install, I always RF as it allow DD to sleep easier, and she isn't able to kick the seat in front, I always ask the person sitting in front which they prefer, no recline and my comfy happy child or her FF with their seatback in her face and the possibility of a few kicks (I word it very diplomatically) but they are always happy to sit upright.



Hope that helps.

Beth