Good but light weight and inexpensivem car seat for air travel? I will be traveling alone with my 15 month old daughter this summer (she is currently only 20lbs) and I have been researching on a good but light weight car seat for air travel, and also as a back up car seat. Any suggestions would be great, thanks! Good but light weight and inexpensivem car seat for air travel? I will be traveling alone with my 15 month old daughter this summer (she is currently only 20lbs) and I have been researching on a... » Read More Good but light weight and inexpensivem car seat for air travel? I will be traveling alone with my 15 month old daughter this summer (she is currently only 20lbs) and I have been researching on a good but light weight car seat for air travel, and also as a back up car seat. Any suggestions would be great, thanks! « Show Less
177686
We used it for air travel, fairly easy to install and fit the small seats in those small rural airport planes. Easy to carry around too as long as you are carrying only a backpack diaper bag and the carseat with baby. I wouldn't recommend trying to juggle more than that (unless you have a husband or helper to assist you.)
177687
Check out the Cosco Scenera. It's super lightweight. The only issue I've found using it on the plane is that you have to be in the bulkhead seats to rear-face it but other than that it's a great, cheap, lightweight seat. I think it weighs about 8 or 9 lbs and depending on the version you get it's between $40 and $60 so you can't get cheaper.
2177240
My wife, 2kids (ages 3 and 7 months at the time) flew from TX to CA in June of 2012. We were very glad to have the stroller. It kept both kids contained when needed and was easy when she needed to get down. The plane ride was no more difficult than taking a single stroller. If renting a car you do need to get a SUV or a car with a full size trunk.
1702276
We decided to buy a cheaper, more lightweight car seat for travel as well as an umbrella stroller. The car seat is so heavy & bulky that I thought it might be a pain to travel with. Also didn't want it to get damaged at all! Love the car seat though & it's even more helpful to be able to turn the car seat now that my daughter is toddler sized.
874186
I think you will find that the vest is too big for her. My 3 year old is 33 pounds and 39" tall. It's a little big on him and I will not use it at this point for him but think in 6 months it would be ok for occasional use. Out of curiosity, I tried it on my 64 pound, 52" tall 7.5y. Although he's passed the weight limit (I wouldn't use it for him), it still fit. I would not attempt it on a child so young unless you would otherwise go without a car seat as I'm sure it's better than nothing. I suggest the Diono Radian, it's a great foldable car seat with high safety ratings. Get the simple one without all the extra supports, we use that for travel for our 3y old. Diono Radian R100 Convertible Car Seat, Stone I think you will find that the vest is too big for her. My 3 year old is 33 pounds and 39" tall. It's a little big on him and I will not use it at this point for him but think in 6 months it would be ok for occasional use. Out of curiosity, I tried it on my 64 pound, 52" tall 7.5y. Although he's passed the weight limit (I wouldn't use it for him), it still fit. I would not attempt it on a child so young unless you would otherwise go without a car seat as I'm sure it's better than nothing. I suggest the Diono Radian, it's a great foldable car seat with high safety ratings. Get the... » Read More I think you will find that the vest is too big for her. My 3 year old is 33 pounds and 39" tall. It's a little big on him and I will not use it at this point for him but think in 6 months it would be ok for occasional use. Out of curiosity, I tried it on my 64 pound, 52" tall 7.5y. Although he's passed the weight limit (I wouldn't use it for him), it still fit. I would not attempt it on a child so young unless you would otherwise go without a car seat as I'm sure it's better than nothing. I suggest the Diono Radian, it's a great foldable car seat with high safety ratings. Get the simple one without all the extra supports, we use that for travel for our 3y old. Diono Radian R100 Convertible Car Seat, Stone « Show Less
1892706
Our little one was born 6 lbs 18 inches and we have used this car seat from the day we left the hospital. She is now 6 months and we still use this car seat and have even used this car seat to help calm her down when nothing else would work and I am not just talking about the 2:00 a.m. car rides, we just strap her in and carry it around....she just feels comfortable in the car seat I guess....but as I have quickly learned some things will work for you and your little one and others might not...so if you think it has to acute of an angle, don't buy it b/c if your little one is upset in the car seat all your going to think about is "its that stinking acute angle and that darn car seat making him/her uncomfortable", even though it might not be.
1459415
I have a 30 lb 2 year old that fits well, but it is a very upright seat and he seems to be sliding down a lot. Basically it doesn't seem very comfortable for him. Plus there is no shade. Another problem is that it puts all of the weight on the front tires and it becomes pretty difficult to steer. Honestly, I would get the City Select tandem with the stand on thing in the back. The Valco baby seats and storage just feel cheap. I had a 16 month old when I had twins and this stroller seemed to be the best solution, but I'm sorry I chose this one. I really wish I had gotten the tandem city select. It moves better, has the roller board thing for the older one, and the babies would be comfortable. I have a 30 lb 2 year old that fits well, but it is a very upright seat and he seems to be sliding down a lot. Basically it doesn't seem very comfortable for him. Plus there is no shade. Another problem is that it puts all of the weight on the front tires and it becomes pretty difficult to steer. Honestly, I would get the City Select tandem with the stand on thing in the back. The Valco baby seats and storage just feel cheap. I had a 16 month old when I had twins and this stroller seemed to be the best solution, but I'm sorry I chose this one. I really wish I had gotten the tandem city... » Read More I have a 30 lb 2 year old that fits well, but it is a very upright seat and he seems to be sliding down a lot. Basically it doesn't seem very comfortable for him. Plus there is no shade. Another problem is that it puts all of the weight on the front tires and it becomes pretty difficult to steer. Honestly, I would get the City Select tandem with the stand on thing in the back. The Valco baby seats and storage just feel cheap. I had a 16 month old when I had twins and this stroller seemed to be the best solution, but I'm sorry I chose this one. I really wish I had gotten the tandem city select. It moves better, has the roller board thing for the older one, and the babies would be comfortable. « Show Less
1884036
I probably would not recommend this seat for an infant even though is comes with an infant insert. We started out with the Chicco KeyFit 30 and loved it. He was in it until he weighed 30 lbs and it was very easy to get him in and out and with the base, made it particularly easy to take the entire seat out if he was sleeping without waking him. The Britax Advocate 70-G3 seems to be working out very well for him at this stage. We have it rear facing at this point but may have to turn it forward facing soon if he grows much taller as his legs seem a little cramped in the rear facing position.
291094
I know this is late to the discussion, but it will help someone in the future. We traveled with that car seat and had no problems. It was difficult to get through security because they had to hand search it, and carrying a car seat onto the plane was bothersome, but the added safety is well worth it. Had no problems getting the car seat to fit once on the plane. Strapped my son in and he slept the either flight.
265408
The beauty of this stroller is that it's lightweight, compact, and durable. The compact part is your issue here. Not a lot of width in the seat area. We use ours for my 1 yr old and 2 1/2 year old. It might work for your trip, but your son will very shortly if not already outgrow it. You might be in a tough spot due to age and size of kids. We were recently in Disneyland (CA). They do rent double strollers at a reasonable rate (by Disney standards).
1393685
I see a bit of miss information here. You can absolutely take your car seat on an airplane if it is FAA approved and you have purchased a seat for your child. In fact, it is the safest way for your child to travel in the airplane.
998590
It's very convenient for moving in and out of cars - like taxis. However, the fine print says NOT to use on airplanes. I will say it will depend on size of your child too, my middle son is stocky but when he was 3 he still was tilted because he was too small for the best even though he weighed minimum weight restrictions for best. Now he is 4 and fits fine, but it may be too big to be comfortable at 2.5! The weights might have changed - check into the new vests. It is VERY CONVENIENT for a third child in back seat of tiny car!
1442258
I have traveled with the carseat and alone with a 2-3 yr old, both internationally and domestically. Now, I'm a pretty strong woman, but it's not very joyful carrying this over your back along with carry on bag, stroller, kid, backpack, and or whatever you choose to bring with you. It does not come with the back straps, they have to be purchased separately (I purchased on amazon) and they have about a 6 inch long padding strip (which is very minimally padded). My daughter is 3 now and I have no plans to travel anytime soon, but if I do I'll be checking in the seat, not bringing it on the plane. Now, the seat itself is incredible, it's fits on any airline seat, its comfortable, safe, amazing quality. Although I can't really give a great experience traveling with this seat, I do have to say it is and was a lot easier than when I used to have to travel with a regular carseat. It is also alot easier if you are traveling with an adult companion (I've always traveled alone with toddler with this seat), and can find a way to add a little extra padding to the strap, then you will be golden! Hope this helps!
1297026
I've used mine on a plane. No car seat is really easy on a plane, I guess. The hardest part was just getting it down the aisle. But it was well worth it. My kiddo slept the whole flight.
608308
Maybe? This has come up on car-seat.org several times. It seems Diono has said yes it is OK, but they had to draw the line somewhere. If you feel your child is OK in the more upright position, then I guess it becomes a parental decision. I will point out, though, that my 2 1/2yo often slumps in this seat when sleeping, so with an 8mo, it might be even worse. I don't think you're going to get a hard and fast yes or no. You could call diono yourself and see what they are currently saying. http://www.car-seat.org/showpost.php?p=2139611&postcount;=35
800929
It worked great for us when we travelled with our 9 month old. We just tried it again now that he is 15 mo and 26lbs and it tends to fold. But when he was smaller we were gone for 2 weeks and used it daily and never had a problem.
1075657
Hello there! Our "little" man is 3.5 months, 25" and 18 pounds. We use the RNP and aren't sure how much longer we will be able to use it. It only goes up to 25 pounds, but your child could outgrow it for length. We still have some head room, but we are thinking he will have transition by the end of August as we use this for his primary sleeping space due to acid reflux. So, you might be cutting it close if you decided to get it.Also, it travels VERY easily! We have taken it on many trips. It breaks down into a few pieces and could fit into a large suitcase. Have you looked at using a peapod?? KidCo PeaPod Portable Travel Bed with Air Pump - RedIn any case, have a great time on your trip! Hello there! Our "little" man is 3.5 months, 25" and 18 pounds. We use the RNP and aren't sure how much longer we will be able to use it. It only goes up to 25 pounds, but your child could outgrow it for length. We still have some head room, but we are thinking he will have transition by the end of August as we use this for his primary sleeping space due to acid reflux. So, you might be cutting it close if you decided to get it.Also, it travels VERY easily! We have taken it on many trips. It breaks down into a few pieces and could fit into a large suitcase. Have... » Read More Hello there! Our "little" man is 3.5 months, 25" and 18 pounds. We use the RNP and aren't sure how much longer we will be able to use it. It only goes up to 25 pounds, but your child could outgrow it for length. We still have some head room, but we are thinking he will have transition by the end of August as we use this for his primary sleeping space due to acid reflux. So, you might be cutting it close if you decided to get it.Also, it travels VERY easily! We have taken it on many trips. It breaks down into a few pieces and could fit into a large suitcase. Have you looked at using a peapod?? KidCo PeaPod Portable Travel Bed with Air Pump - RedIn any case, have a great time on your trip! « Show Less
42202
Not a great choice for either I would say... its not an offroad stroller, and its simply too large to be reasonable at a busy airport. I wont lie, this sucker is heavy and long. I would take measurements of your vehicle before you buy because it wont fit in some. That said for things like zoo days or parks with sidewalks, we absolutely love it. Our 4 year has some physical limitations and the back seat allows her easy in and out and lets her feel like a big kid without being strapped into a traditional mobility stroller. I completely endorse it, but you need to be aware this is probably not an every day kind of stroller. Not a great choice for either I would say... its not an offroad stroller, and its simply too large to be reasonable at a busy airport. I wont lie, this sucker is heavy and long. I would take measurements of your vehicle before you buy because it wont fit in some. That said for things like zoo days or parks with sidewalks, we absolutely love it. Our 4 year has some physical limitations and the back seat allows her easy in and out and lets her feel like a big kid without being strapped into a traditional mobility stroller. I completely endorse it, but you need to be aware this is probably not... » Read More Not a great choice for either I would say... its not an offroad stroller, and its simply too large to be reasonable at a busy airport. I wont lie, this sucker is heavy and long. I would take measurements of your vehicle before you buy because it wont fit in some. That said for things like zoo days or parks with sidewalks, we absolutely love it. Our 4 year has some physical limitations and the back seat allows her easy in and out and lets her feel like a big kid without being strapped into a traditional mobility stroller. I completely endorse it, but you need to be aware this is probably not an every day kind of stroller. « Show Less