travel car seat?

Question

I want to visit my friend in Philly this summer. Rather than drive, I was thinking of either flying or taking a train with my two year old. Is there a portable, easy-to-carry car seat available for kids about 25 pounds? I have thought of the backless booster, but I think my son would have to weigh more.

Answer 1

The Scenera weighs 9 pounds and is very lightweight to carry around an airport and to rental cars, friends cars, etc. It's easy to install in most cars. It has a 35 pound rearfacing limit, so your son could RF on the plane and in the car (safer for both). No 2 year old should be in a booster, nevermind a backless booster. Doesn't matter about the weight, they're simply not mature enough.

Another option is a Sunshine Kids Radian. I'd recommend this only if you plan on doing quite a bit of travel. It folds and goes into a bag so you can carry it on your back. It's 20 pounds, but not as noticable in a backpack. It can have installation issues in some cars, though there hasn't been a car I can't get it in in some position (I'm a CPST, and we travel a LOT, my 4.5 year old has been to 7 countries on three continents and I think 22 states). The Radian is $180 and the Scenera $40-$50.

All infant and convertible carseats are FAA approved. Of course you can use them on a plane. Every single one of them has a sticker that says, "This child restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and on aircraft." We've used Piper's on everything from a six seater Piper Saratoga (I think a Saratoga) to a Boeing 777. Also, children under two should have their own seat, they don't have to be lap babies. It's a lot safer for a child to be in their own seat with their own carseat. An airplane seat may feel cramped to us, but to a baby it's huge. They're safer and honestly more comfortable in a seat that fits them.

The FAA recommends children use child restraints. You can use them to the limits of the seat, there's no age that a child must be out of them. And if the attendants try to tell you otherwise, at least on American airlines, ask to see the manual. I have seen the American Airlines manual and it says black on white that a seat may be used as it is certified for a car (a British Midlands manual says that seats must be used forward facing, I've also seen their manual).

Definitely bring a seat. A train doesn't have seatbelts, but a lightweight seat can be stored up above, and a folding seat will fit very well up above (we've also done train trips, though generally if we're taking a train in the US it's to a place usually with a subway (we've done the NC to DC trip a few times), and the trains we just took in China took us to someplace where we just took busses or walked).

Have a great time!!!!

Wendy Thomas
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, North Carolina

Answer 2

You are right that your son is too small for a booster, so you will need a harnessed seat. The Cosco Scenara is a great choice!

The person that said you cannot use a carseat on an airplane is incorrect. In fact, the FAA and the AAP recommend that all children under 40 lbs use a carseat. You do not have to buy a ticket for a child under two, but it is safer if you do. If your child has a ticket, the airline is required to allow you to use a carseat as long as it is approved for aircraft use (which most harnessed seats are).

ETA: For the poster that said it is not "permitted", the FAA REGULATION 125.211(c)(2)states:

"...no certificate holder may prohibit a child, if requested by the child's parent, guardian, or designated attendant, from occupying a child restraint system furnished by the child's parent, guardian, or designated attendant..."

Answer 3

I second the vote for the Cosco Scenera. It's full sized but very easy to use, and light enough to hang on the handle of your stroller. There are no seatbelts on trains, though, so you couldn't use it on the train, but you could use it on a plane easily enough. Or just bring your own car seat, then you and your son are familiar with it (you know how to install it, he'll be most comfortable in is regular seat). If it's the Cosco Tote N Go that you are asking about, it's HARD to use properly, I would not recommend it unless you are going on a particularly exotic vacation and a regular carseat is impossible to bring (like a cruise where only only might go in a taxi in a foreign country that might not even have seatbelts, for example).

The FAA encourages the use of car seats on airplanes. It certainly is not illegal to use one.

Answer 4

A great light-weight seat for your child would be a Cosco Scenera (not the overhead sheild). They are about $40 at Walmart. It has capabilites of keeping your child rear facing for up to 35 lbs, considering your child is short enough to rear face. It can be used forward facing until 40 lbs.

Edited to add: Yes, you can use a carseat on an airplane as long as it is FAA approved (look for the sticker on the side of the seat)! Do not listen to the advice below on not being able to use a carseat! It is actually safer to use the carseat so your precious child is secure on the plane. There could be turbulance and you wouldn't want your child to get hurt because of it. Your child will also be more comfortable on the plane in their carseat, if you decide to use it. Just trying to correct the incorrect info given below! :)

Answer 5

As a Child Passenger Safety technician, I can tell you for sure that it is not true about not being able to use a carseat on an airplane. The FAA allows any carseat that has been subjected to and passed an inversion test to be used on an airplane. A seat such as this will be labeled as FAA approved. There are several on the market - Britax Marathon, Cosco Scenera, etc.

Here are the USAirways and American Airlines' websites stating that an FAA approved carseat is fine:

http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/traveltools/specialneeds/children.aspx

http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/specialAssistance/childrenTraveling.jsp&anchorEvent=false#Seating%20Restrictions

What airline does your brother-in-law fly for?

Answer 6

I have flown on multiple flights with my son and his convertible car seat. As previously mentioned the FAA regulations state parents can use an FAA approved seat on a plane. We installed our son's seat rear facing and it kept him happy AND safe. We did just take our everyday seat (Britax Marathon) but I had my husband with me to carry the heavy seat. If I were to travel with my 2 year old by myself I would get a Cosco Scenera for around $40. Good luck on your trip!

Answer 7

I love my Cosco Scenera for travel. It's 9 lbs, I believe, and we'll be taking it on our upcoming trip for my 21 lber.

When we travel with ours, we use the tether strap to carry it (NOT the harness - carrying by the harness is bad!) and it's soo easy. Carrying a booster is more difficult, plus your little one just isn't old enough, not to mention that he doesn't weigh enough.

Here's the FAA page on carseats: http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/

And each airline has information regarding carseats as well.

We're flying AA: http://www.aa.com/content/travelInformation/specialAssistance/childrenTraveling.jhtml;jsessionid=XRMLPXWB3MQ1DEAJJNBSKLEQBFFSWVMD#Carry-On%20and%20Checked%20Item%20Allowances

But here's Southwest's info: http://southwest.com/travel_center/infants.html

And United Airlines:
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1051,00.html
"You may use an approved infant car seat on board the aircraft when you purchase a seat for your child. The seat must be an FAA-approved child safety seat device."

If there's any other airline you are considering, I would be happy to find their policies regarding carseats.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Answer 8

You most certainly CAN use a car seat or child restraint on an airplane!!! I have posted a link to the FAA website that verifies this.

Answer 9

this is a great website for travel tips etc. Make sure to check with your airline that the car seat fits guidelines!
http://www.carsafety4kids.com/airplanesafety.html#05

Answer 10

Hmmmm for the person that made the comment about using it on an airplane, you are not allowed to use a car seat on an airplane. My brother-in-law is a pilot and you are not allowed to use one. If the child is under the age of 2 they have to be on your lap, that is why they do not need a ticket.

Didn't say it was illegal, learn to read please, I said they were not allowed (permitted, acceptable, tolerable). Once again, articles that you pull off the internet are not as reliable as someone that works on an airplane everyday, that is where I got my information from. Most car seats will NOT fit in an airplane seat securely.

He is a pilot for United Airlines, but has also been a pilot for American Airlines.