1yr old on plane

[DcKen]

Hello,
        on friday the family are heading on a mega long trip for my sister-in-laws wedding in Peru. Flying with KLM the whole way with 5hr stop in Amsterdam. So thats two back to back 13.5hr flights.

We have a seat booked for our 1yr old daughter and are trying to decide what to do about our car seat situation.

We have a Britax Marathon car seat (bought by my in-laws) that weighs a tonne - I carried on route back from states at xmas and was not a happy camper. My wife on her return from Lima will be alone with my daughter and taking a layover in the uk with great granma.

So would appreciate any creative suggestions for a lighter car seat that would be allowed on KLM. Would need to be used in the uk car rules as well.

My wife could always check the britax on the way back but would need something for our little one to sit in.

Many thanks in advance, Ken.

[Caligirl]

Hi Ken:

We have been using the ever-popular "Sit 'n Stroll" -- it's a toddler car seat that can be used both as a plane seat (fits KLM economy seats) and a stroller (there are wheels that pop out so that you can push it around the airport). It is not lightweight per se, but since it is multi-functional and has wheels, it is useful for people on the go -- that is, travelling from airport to plane to taxi to rental car, etc.

You can buy them at a few shops here in Singapore -- they run about SGD $369, but you should be able to re-sell easily once your daughter outgrows it. If you guys do a lot of international travel, it might be a worthwhile purchase. You can use them up until a child is 40 lbs., I believe.

I have done 5 solo trips with my now-18 month old from Singapore to the U.S. I would not have been able to do so without my Sit 'n Stroll!

Hope you guys have a safe & fun trip.

[cheap alternative]

What we do is bungee cord the car seat to one of those small folding luggage carts with wheels.  Then we can wheel the car seat through the terminal and who gives a flip what it weighs.  Practice at home first.  If you get the angle right, you can put the seat on the cart and then the kid in the seat and then you can check your stoller because there is no need for it.  When you get to the plane door, unstrap it all and fold the cart and have a stewardess help you store the cart in an overhead bin while you get the seat and kid situated.  I have done this many times flying solo with kids.

It looks funny and people will give you odd stares when you are walking through the airport, but it is worth it to have the seat on the plane and then with you for sure when you land.  

[DcKen]

Hello,
          thanks for the suggestions! I had already tried the luggage cart idea as this was out stop gap at chicago having flown from kansas city with our daughter - wasnt very stable for our big clunky car seat.

Thanks Caligirl, have gone ahead and bought the Sit N Stroll and I am very happy that it will do the trick. Not sure if it will wheel down the aisle to the back of the plane but will see.

Cheers, Ken.

[Caligirl]

Ken:

It doesn't always fit down the aisle of the plane (esp in economy).

With that in mind, here are two caveats to my original note --

1) Reassure the airline staff that it is in fact a car seat (they will be eager to "check" it for you as you board)

2) My husband usually places our daughter in it, collapes the wheels, and then carries it (with her in it) in his arms as we are boarding & exiting the plane.

I used to do the same when travelling solo with our daughter, but now that I'm pregnant, that's not an option. Suggest to your wife that she ask one of the male attendants or a kind fellow traveller to help her board/exit when she is solo -- though she might be able to manage alone!

I always carry a baby sling with me, so that I can "wear" my daughter on my hip & carry the Sit 'N Stroll off the plane, if need be.

3) The seat WILL fit into an economy seat on KLM. Make sure you are not booked in bulkhead (where the arm rests don't lift up). Simply lift the arm rest in the seat, and wedge the Sit 'n Stroll in. It should be a perfect, tight fit.

You will find that the product is brilliant for tooling around the airport, as well as a secure, comfy seat for your daughter to rest in once you are actually on the plane.

Again, it is not a flawless product, but it beats any other options I've seen -- especially on the very long haul flights.

Best of luck & safe travels!

[This message has been edited by Caligirl (edited 06-03-2007).]

[or]

Bit late to help you, but we use a  JoeySafe harness for flights / cars and a lightweight stroller for getting around airports.

[CA Expat]

Ken, sorry, don't have anything to add about the car seats but just wanted to ask if you're from KC?  That's where we're from originally!  However I moved to CA in the late 80's and now consider that home.  

Regardless, just wondering if there was a fellow midwesterner here in Singapore.  I'm actually heading off first thing in the AM for the States.  Have a great trip to Peru, sounds lovely......

[DcKen]

Cheers Caligirl! I will bear all advice in mind on the days ahead. Made sure we dont have the bulkhead seats - daughter is too big and i have no legroom means no way josey. I agree it is a perfect fit for the lay overs in the airports. We have a solid block of 5hrs in Amsterdam so will be making a dash for the airport hotel for someplace quiet to chill out before getting on the next leg.

Sorry the ruse is up, it is my wife (Teresa) who is a "proper" american from Kansas city, MO. I was born in DC and raised in uk, but moved back to the states 5 years ago in DC.

Thanks, Ken