Car Seats

We are considering flying to visit family instead of driving. ANyone use a Radian65 or Blvd on an airplane? If so, how was it?

Thanks,

Katherine
ds 8 Parkway and backless
dd5 Radian65
dd2 Blvd

I've used the Radian 65 as a forward-facing car seat on the plane and it worked great. It sits low enough that my DS was able to use the airline tray table to color and eat. My DH carried it through the airport over his shoulder by attaching a handle to it. There is a place provided where you can add the shoulder/backpack straps to it and that is what we used. I think it's the perfect travel seat for big kids.

My understanding is that it doesn't work well as a rear-facing car seat on airplanes though. Someone on another board was able to use it rf in the bulkhead row, but there is usually not enough space to install in rf in other rows.

We've traveled with our Britax Decathlons mulitple times (CA to FL, Reno to Chicago). We've used it as a rf seat and a ff seat on planes. I think we usually have had to put the armests up to make it fit better. We put the car seat on a luggage rack and used that as our stroller through the airport.

Other specific questions I could answer?

Thank  you for your reply! 

I just had a person on another board (not a carseat board) tell me to gate check the Radian since it's for my 5 yr old. And another told me to rent carseats when we rent a van! What???!!! They are crazy! I will NOT use rented seats!

Should I buy the strap from Sunshine Kids to carry it? Or do you think I could take a strap off a duffel bag?

Can you give me tips on traveling with an 8,5,and2 yr old? 

We'll bring the backless booster for my 8 yr old and probably put it in our luggage if we can. The Radian is for my 5 yr old and the Blvd for my 2 yr 4mo old. Both FF.

I was thinking I could try and borrow suitcases from friends (we only have 1) and also borrow a luggage cart for the Blvd and carry the Radian since you said that is what you did.   Then the kids can each have a small carry on bag with snacks and activities.

Would flying with 3 kids still be better than driving 12-16 hours? 

We might not have a direct flight either.

The trip would go like this: drive 1 hr to airport, drive 1 hr to my parent's after landing. Stay couple days, drive 4 1/2 hrs to in-laws , stay couple days, drive back to my parent's, stay overnight, drive 1 hr to airport, drive 1 hr home.

It stinks, my parent's are 5 min from Dulles Airport but it costs a LOT more to fly into that airport.

Thank you so much for your help!
Katherine
ds 8 Parkway or backless
dd 5 Radian65
dd 2 Blvd

I traveled to hawai with my two kids 2 and 4 at the time with 2 raidian 65s I put two duffle bag straps on one and put it on my back and one strap on the other and carried it on my shoulder I then pulled my carryon rolling suitcase behind me. Changed planes at total of 4 times during the trip and had no problems. Got some flack from one flight attendent about putting two carseats next to each other until I showed her I could reach across from my seat while buckled and buckle and unbuckle my son across my daughter then they left me alone.
if you have any other questions let me know

sue