Anyone have recommendations for a toddler, booster, or convertible seat that they have been able to fit in most cattle class plane seats? After checking seat dimensions on seat guru, I am feeling pessimistic about whether any of mine will fit....

Thanks.

We purchased a second carseat from Britax with the specific intention of using for traveling. It's fairly lighweight so it isn't an issue to haul it around.

Although neither of our kids need carseats on the planes at their age, we find the Britax an easy way to sve the $20+ that the car rental companies charge daily for a seat.

Britax fits, but be aware that only true carseats, not boosters, are used in airplanes. You can't use a booster on an airplane because they have to be used with a shoulder harness, which of course an airplane does not have. How old are your kids? If they are over two, they probably will be happier not in the carseat anyhow because the carseat restricts the amount of seat space they have.

thanks, all. Kid is 2 yrs., 3 mos. I have 2 Britax Marathons, an Evenflo Titan that I wouldn't give away, and a Combi Avatar. Am thinking that a car seat is 1) safer (which it is), 2) more comfy for a 2 year old than trying to get comfy and sleep on a plane seat, and 3) likely to make him a bit more content to settle in for longer. He has traveled a lot, but we haven't used the car seat en route in quite awhile and have two very long flights coming up. Actually make that 4.

And when I said booster, I should have clarified that I meant the sort of combo booster/toddler thing with the 5 point harness and all.

Also, which Britax seats did the two of you use successfully and on which planes/flights?

I have used a Britax Marathon and a Britax Roundabout on American Airlines and British Airways. If it has an airline safe notice on it (either on the carseat or in the manual) it should fit. But your child really might not like it--no worries, if it doesn't work out you can check it on the way back. If I had my flight to do again (with a two year old and a four year old to Italy) I would get the bulkhead row and go sans carseats and put blankets on the floor for them to sleep.

we've used both the roundabout and marathon on American and Air Tran planes with no problems.

I found my kids are much happier in their carseats. They are used to traveling in them, are comfortable i them, sleep well in them (not that they slept), and the seats makes them sit up higher which makes it easier to see out the window and around the plane which they enjoyed.

Thanks, all! I have friends who have had the experience of lugging the car seat on rather than checking it and having the seat not fit, so the FAA approval does not necessarily mean it will fit. Will just take the one he likes most and keep our fingers crossed.

I've never had a problem with fitting a Britax Roundabout in a coach plane seat. Before my daughter turned 2, that was how we always travelled with her. Once she hit 2, though, her legs got to be long enough that she could kick the back of the seat in front of her, if she was in the car seat. Rather than have to physically restrain her to keep her from doing that, I've stopped putting her in the carseat on planes and just check the seat with the rest of our bags. She has more space and is still comfortable, I just need to make sure she doesn't take her seatbelt off. If she wants to sleep (which never happens), I just lift up the armrest and let her put her head in my lap.

We've used the Britax Marathon on American, Delta, United, Jet Blue, and BA. They fit every time. Now we just use the Sit 'N Stroll to avoid having to bring a stroller and a car seat.