Which carseat for airplane travel?

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

DH and I are considering buying a new convertible carseat as a backup and for airplane travel. We are flying to Chicago in two weeks, and it will cost around $50 to rent a seat when we get there, so if we buy a seat, I'd like it to be in that range. We are torn between renting when we get there and just buying a seat to travel with. It also must be light and easy to maneuver, as our TrueFit would be a nightmare at the airport. Anyone have any seats that they recommend? Inexpensive + light + easy to carry + easy to install?

Thanks all.

[DahliaRW]

How old/heavy/tall is the child you're looking for the seat for. Rfing or ffing?

I would always buy and bring over rent. You never know what your'e going to get with rental seats. Sometimes parents end up with booster for 2 yos or harnessed seats that are too small, dirty, or missing parts. There is no guarantee.

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

Sorry, I should have included that - she will be 7 months old, and we haven't had her weighed or measured recently, but I would estimate around 28" and 21lbs or so. Obviously rear facing for now, and I'd like to keep it rear facing as long as possible.

[c'est moi]

cosco scenera.

cheap, safe, and light.

we use ours as our airplane travel and grandma car seat. bought mine at overstock.com, but they are on stock at target and probably walmart and kmart too.

[DahliaRW]

Your cheapest option is the cosco scenera. You can find them for $40-50. It can be a bit of a challenge to install rfing, so I would practice before you go and bring a pool noodle or 3 cut to length.

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

Are they terribly uncomfortable? My DD had a really hard time in her bucket seat but seems to be doing much better in the TrueFit - if the Scenera is really uncomfortable, I worry that she will scream the whole trip. Also, are they safe at that price? I read something about recalls and negligence on the part of the manufacturer.

And do we RF on the airplane, assuming we use the seat on the plane?

[leighi123]

cosco scenera is a good seat and pretty much the only one thats around $50. My son never complained when he was in one for a few days (he will complain if he is uncomfy!)

NEVER rent a carseat, they are almost alway expired/dirty/missing bits/damages/gross/unsafe. Also, they are required to clean them with bleach, which damages the straps.

[Lauren82]

When my 3yo dd and I traveled by plane earlier this year, I checked the car seat at baggage claim and used a CARES seat harness that I rented from eBay. It worked out great as we were able to have her usual car seat at our destination and the harness was quick to install. I just figured I'd mention that as an option.

[snoopy5386]

I agree that a Scenera is your best but, but it can be very tricky to get installed RFing. It is bare bones, - no padding, just a cover over the plastic shell. A CARES harness is not an option for an infant.

Do you have a bucket? Does she still fit in it? IF that was an option, I'd do that. Certainly the easiest/lightest/cheapest option.

[jessafina]

We love our Sit n Stroll. It's a stroller, it's a carseat and once your daughter is over 2 and has to have a seat on a plane it fits in the plane seat. They're not cheap, but so versatile. If I'm not using it as a stroller for DS in the airport I often carry him the ergo and put all of our carryons on the sit and stroll and push it through the airport. It's great!

[Eclipsepearl]

Please NEVER check a car seat as luggage. Use the seat on the plane. I assume your child has a seat and is not on your laps? Car seats are lost and broken all the time by the airlines and they wont offer compensation.

My dh's family arranged a rental and they showed up with an infant bucket no way could my son have fit (he was a year and they knew this). I was told that was my only option. We were all dressed and headed to a wedding so he had to ride on my lap. I was a stupid FTM and I'm lucky that nothing happened. Don't make my mistake!

I had a Sit & Stroll and it was great. It's not the best car seat nor stroller but because of the price, and the low shoulder slots, I can only recommend it if you do A LOT of plane travel, as we do. My dd outgrew it 6 months before she outgrew the Scenera! (at 1/4 of the price!!)

There are a number of seats which are just a bit more expensive than the Scenera which have a higher harness and/or rfing option. If you'll be making this trip a lot, this might be better value in the long run.