See our updated post for new travel seat suggestions: Travel Carseats: The Ultimate Guide to What You Want to Take on A Plane
Is one seat better or easier for airplane traveling than another? Perhaps. It all depends on our mantra: the best carseat is the one that fits your vehicle, your child, and your budget. We’ve obviously got 2 vehicles here: the airplane and the car. You may think that your carseat looks too wide to use on an aircraft, but it may not be. Remember that armrests can be lifted and often the widest part of the carseat is above the armrest on the airplane seat, so it can be done. Some folks who travel often do buy a different carseat just for traveling because their main carseat is heavier or bulkier than the travel seat. The travel seat can also be a backup seat for a babysitter or grandma’s car.
Updated 01-05-16
A travel vest is a nice option for those with older kids who are forward-facing since it packs so easily. The RideSafer Travel Vest has been around for years and is available in two sizes: small (30-60 lbs.) and large (50-80 lbs.). The only time the RSTV requires a tether anchor is when it’s used with a lap-only belt; most newer vehicles (e.g. rental vehicles) have either lap/shoulder belts everywhere or a plethora of tether anchors, so that shouldn’t be a problem in those cars. It might be a problem for you in Grandpa Tony’s 1979 Grand Marquis, however. Another alternative to the traditional carseat is the IMMI GO. This is a harnessed backless booster and requires a tether anchor for use with the harness. It packs down into a travel bag that very easily fits into the overhead compartment of a 737. While it can be installed with the seat belt when used as a harnessed seat, this carseat really is designed to be used with LATCH and the seat belt installation is difficult. It’s also expensive as a strictly travel seat, but is pretty narrow, so it can fit in tight spaces.
Aside from those obvious travel options are the carseats themselves. If your baby still fits properly in his infant seat (read the instructions or the labels on the side), use that on the plane. Very few require the base to be used at all times, so you can install the carrier without the base on the plane. Some bases, however, can’t be used on the plane, so either put it in the overhead storage or master the baseless install. It’s easy! The Cosco Scenera NEXT convertible seat (see our review) has been recommended as a travel seat since it came out because it’s one of the lightest on the market and we all know that when your plane leaves from the last gate at the airport, every ounce counts. Then there are the Diono Radian convertible seats, which were originally designed to be travel seats: they fold so they can be carried through the airport. They also have an accessory carry strap. While there are many plusses to the Radian seats, the biggest downside is their weight: they weigh over 25 lbs.—hardly a seat you want to be lugging through the airport. Still, once installed forward-facing on the airplane seat, the tray table can be fully lowered so your child can make full use of it for coloring or eating and that’s something that other carseats don’t allow because of their high sides. The Combi Coccoro convertible seat is a nice small seat that fits well rear-facing on a plane. Its pod-like shape is reminiscent of an infant seat, but it’s most definitely a convertible without a base.
The Evenflo Maestro combination seat is a good travel seat. It’s lightweight and installs easily in a variety of vehicles, plus its versatility as a belt positioning booster for smaller older kids is a plus (see Kecia’s review of the Maestro as a booster seat here: https://carseatblog.com/?p=5923). More experienced booster riders can make use of boosters that travel easily like the Bubble Bum, Harmony Youth Booster, and Safety 1st Incognito Kid Positioner.
Taking a carseat through the airport requires some thought unless you relish the idea of hauling all your gear plus your child’s carseat on your back. Go-Go Kidz makes a cart that attaches to a carseat. It’s a product specifically designed for carseats and it’s sturdy enough so that you can even put your child in the carseat and drag her through the airport when she gets tired of walking. If you don’t travel by plane much, a luggage cart and bungee cords may be your answer. You can also use those bungee cords to bungee your carseat to a stroller. It will take a bit of undoing when it comes time to go through the security line, but as long as you’ve practiced removing the seat from whatever apparatus you’ve chosen to use, you won’t get too many nasty looks ;). There’s also a nifty strap called the Traveling Toddler that attaches your carseat to your rolling carryon using the carseat’s lower anchor straps and top tether (aka LATCH straps). I’m sure you can figure out lots of ways to get your family and your carseat through the airport with a little ingenuity, but it always helps to have some ideas.
With a little planning, airplane travel with your child doesn’t have to be an anxiety-ridden adventure that requires prescription drugs for all involved. Some simple devices combined with a little knowledge will make you look like an experienced traveler even if you’ve never set foot on an airplane with your little one before and soon you’ll be jetting off to unknown lands and faraway places.
To make your travels easier, here are some links you may find helpful:
http://www.carseat.org/Legal/0_legalIP.htm#aircraft
Links to print out for your next airplane trip
https://carseatblog.com/22134/flying-with-a-car-seat-know-your-rights
Know your rights before you leave on your trip
http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/problems.htm
Department of Transportation’s aviation consumer complaint web page
http://flyingwithchildren.blogspot.com
A former flight attendant’s tips on flying with children
And don’t forget that in yesterday’s post, you learned why you should use a restraint on an airplane.
I had a hard time fitting the Scenera Next rear facing on our last flight (brand new airplane with even less legroom!) We’re taking the same flight in the next few days and I’m expecting the same issue. Any recommendations? The airline already told me that the flight is full and no larger seats are available. Ugh.
How old is your child, Katie? What airline? If you have a newborn that needs the seat at a full recline for airway issues, I would call the airline now or talk to the gate agents (if necessary) and see if they can switch your seats to a bulkhead row. If you have an older child, it can be installed RF more upright as needed. If your child is over 1, I would also consider installing it FF if space is that tight, though really, you should be able to squeeze it in RF. (The likelihood of a runway incident is pretty low, which is why I made that suggestion.) If the person in front of the carseat complains, you can always say that if the carseat is turned around, your child will be kicking his seatback (I mean, you can’t catch your kid’s feet every time they kick, can you?).
Traveling on a United flight 737 plane, curious if anyone has feedback on whether I’ll have issues installing the Chicco next fit due to size.
Hi Lindsay. I haven’t heard of any issues with the NextFit, but different airlines use different seating configurations so you never know. You can always raise the armrest if you’re not sitting in a bulkhead seat.
Hi, I just flew with United with my 19 month old son in his 4Ever car seat. First leg was fine (Airbus A320), the car seat installed easily and was a great experience. The 2nd leg of the journey was in a Boeing 737 and I had major problems – the car seat simply wouldn’t fit because the economy seats are just too narrow… On United B737 aircraft (not sure about other airlines), all the armrests are fixed so you can’t raise them which would have enabled me to get the car seat installed. We pre-boarded so had time to figure out that only the very back row of the aircraft had moveable armrests which allowed me to install the seat. thankfully the negotiation to change seats went ok. Just wanted to pass my experience on!
Wow, that’s terrible Steve! I’ve flown on lots of Boeings and that’s the first I’ve heard of the armrests being fixed on seats other that aisles and bulkheads. It must be a United thing.
Thanks for reporting that!
Can this be used in ur car to if ur child dnt like there carseats can u put this in ur car for them.. because i have a son who has c/p and he hates his carseat but they have things like this on his bus and he sits for them fine on it so that my question can u use them in ur car
Hi Rebecca. There are several carseats listed on this page. Can you clarify which one you’re talking about?
Anyone use the Cosco scenera NEXT on a plane? And has anyone found a wheeled carrier that supports it?
Hi Audree. The Scenera NEXT will fit very nicely on a plane. I haven’t seen it on a carrier yet, but you could easily strap it to your luggage using the Traveling Toddler.
Does anyone know if the carseat has to do in the window seat or could it be in the middle also? We’re traveling with 2 kids and I’m wondering if the carseats could go next to each other or if they would even fit that way? I’m guessing we will just have to try and get window and middle seats one behind the other and one of us seat with one child.
@Bekah, at least one of the carseats will have to go in the window seat. FAA guidelines say that passenger exit/escape can’t be blocked, so a carseat can’t be between you and the aisle. If you’re traveling alone with 2 carseats, they’d go in the window and center seats.
@Alissa, you can request a buckle extender from a flight attendant. What carseat are you using?
I have had trouble buckling the car seat into the plane’s seat because of where the seat belt buckles rest on the car seat. It wouldn’t buckle in tightly. Any advice?
Hi Colesmom,
Since the Advocate is the same as the other seats from Britax but with side bolsters, it will probably fit on most planes but be a tight fit and uncomfortable to sit next to.
When you say “what kind of cover did you buy”, do you mean covers to keep them cool from the sun? I find the best thing is to drape something over the top- a white towel or sheet, or a Space Blanket with the reflective side out are both good choices.
I am assuming you DON’T mean a cover to put on instead of the cover the seat came with, since those are unsafe and I bet you know that; if one wants an extra cover for the car seat one should always contact the manufacturer. 🙂
Has anyone used a new Britax advocate on the plane yet? Wondering if it fits in the seats and how hard it is to sit next to it. Any comments welcome. Also what kind of cover did you buy for the carseat? Can’t seem to find any that fit this big carseat.
I also love the Cosco Scenera for airplane use. Now with the 40lb RF version it’s even better! Very lightweight and narrow. It is a taller seat so installing RF can be difficult unless in the bulkhead though. It’s cheap enough to buy as a travel only seat allowing you to not have to deal with reinstalling a seat when you get home too.
KatKupe – I use a Cosco Scenera or similar seat for travel for my kids when they are under 3. It’s not as light/easy as the Go, but I can carry my child in one arm and the seat in the other (often above my head down the airplane aisle).
Hi. I read the review of the SafeGuard Go Hybrid. Looks great but you still can’t use it on a plane. When is any brand going to do a lightweight seat that straps around the back of the plane seat like the CARES harness? I can’t use the CARES harness because my guy is to little still and will wiggle is way down and out. We live in Singapore and are constantly traveling. At 28 lbs my 14 month old is too heavy for the lap and it’s just not safe. Taking our Britax Advocate CS on a 2 hour plane flight is just inconvenient and not easy. There’s got to be a solution – I just can’t seem to find it. It seems to me that from all the research I’ve done that if one of these 5 point boosters just offered another attachment to anchor the top of the booster seat around the airplane we’d have the solution! Any one know of anything?! I feel like I’m going crazy looking.
Is the Safety 1st Go Hybrid Booster approved for use by the FAA in the airplane seat? I’ve search the web thoroughly and can’t find any information on it with regards to this. Please let me know. Thanks!
Hi Kat- The Go is not approved for airplane use. We have a review of the SafeGuard Go Hybrid here https://carseatblog.com/403/safeguard-go-review-hybrid-booster-mark-ii/ . Safety 1st purchased the product from SafeGuard a couple years ago. There have been minor changes, but it is substantially the same restraint system.
I think it’s clear that the friendly skies are the final frontier when it comes to child passenger safety. Since there are relatively fewer incidents, it keeps getting written off. I’m not sure we’ll ever see anything happen as far as mandatory carseats or harnesses until something happens to a major dignitary’s child.
We traveled last fall with a 4 year old (turned FF in a Radian for the plane) and an 18 month old (RF in a BLVD). Two strap on the Radian turned it into a backpack that I was able to manage even and we used the Go Go Kidz on the BLVD. This combination for boh seats made traveling a BREEZE with two children and two car seats. Having the toddler in the BLVD through the airport was wonderful. Both seats installed quickly and easily.
Tip for not getting any flack for a RF installed seat on the plane – we put my son with his FF Radian in the row in front of the RF BLVD. The stewardess had started making noises about installing the RF seat until I showed her who and what was going to be ahead of that seat.
Though I would have been totally within my rights to install the seat RF, we all know that sometimes that message has not gotten to many stewards/esses.
We travelled to Europe a couple years ago with our 6-month old as a lap baby. We planned ahead enough to get a front row seat in the section and requested a wall mounted basinet. This is great for a long flight, and free! On KLM, during take-off and landing – and variably if the seat belt sign was on, they provided a seat belt for baby that attaches to the parents belt with a loop. They also provided a baby life preserver (imagine a baby-sized duffel bag with inflatable collar.) Their American partner NWA/Delta did not. Why does FAA not require this, when Europe clearly does?
I love the Pac-Back, by Cheeky Monkey, for carrying our carseat on our back. It is super easy to use. We carry our Marathon in it all the time. I actually prefer that to the GogoKidz rolling cart, because of the ease of getting it on and off the seat (when I’m traveling alone with two kids, that’s important) With the Pac-Back, I can carry the carseat to my row on the airplane. The GogoKidz was too wide to roll down an airplane aisle (we only use that if I have another adult traveling with me. They can carry it up the aisle)
And I am sending a pox to Southwest on behalf of the previous poster. What is this world of lack of customer service coming to? I’ve never been allowed to preboard with my kids and carseats either – what the airlines don’t seem to understand, is that in doing this they are causing me to slow their whole boarding process down! I am slow moving with carseats and kids and stroller and carryons! If they let us on first, we could be settled and out of the way of everyone else! Gah.
I’ve flown with just myself, three kids, and 2 Radians and a Boulevard. I figured out how to stick all three seats into a regular stroller and had the kids walk. It was much more difficult getting all the seats on the plane and installed than it was getting them through the airport.
(A pox be upon Southwest for not letting me preboard.)
In February I flew by myself with my just turned 3 year old and my 17 month old and I was 30 week pregnant. I took my Radian on board with 2 straps wearing it as a backpack. It was by far the best decision I made for that trip. Yes it was heavy, but having a seat for my 17 month old to sit in was a lifesaver! And using the 2 straps was definitely much easier than lugging one of the bigger convertible seats on the plane. The flight attendents were all very impressed when I pulled it off my back 🙂 We’ll be flying again in a few months (this time with 3 kids!) and will most definitely be taking the Radian on the plane again.
Cute pictures. 🙂
Two straps on the Radian turns it into a backpack, and the weight is really not noticed. Most backpacks filled with stuff for a trip hit close to the 25 pound mark on their own. The only time I noticed the Radian on my back was if I hit something with it when I bent over reaching, and mostly because I’m short.
I LOVE the Traveling Toddler. We used a luggage cart with bungee cords for a while (before the TT or GoGo Kidz came out), and while that was very nice for what it was, the TT is SO much easier and more convenient. However, I loathe checking luggage, so if I can use the rolling luggage to carry my carseat, so much the better. Rather than have something separate and then need to check my luggage.