car seat for international travel?

mommytogilly · Nov 24, 2010

Hi, I would like to hear tips and hints for traveling overseas this xmas season.

My son is 2.5 and we have a Cosco Scenera and Graco My Ride.

We will flying from Florida to South Africa, total flying time is 20+ hours.
Which car seat would you recommend we use? My son is more comfortable in the MyRide, but the Scenera is lighter.
We are flying American and British Airways. Once in South Africa, we will rent a car and will do a lot of driving.

Thoughts??

murphydog77 · Nov 27, 2010

Hi. Does he fit better in one seat over the other? Are you more comfortable installing one seat in multiple vehicles (meaning, if faced with an unusual situation with seatbelts, are you better with the Scenera or the My Ride)? Whichever seat you choose, be sure to take a locking clip with you since you may need to use it--not all foreign vehicles have the same locking belts that we have in the US and Canada.

Another thought: how much are taking on the plane vs. checking as luggage? Dh and I were shocked to find out that an airline we're taking only allows 15 lbs. for carryons and that's including the luggage weight. If you pack tight (should be easy because of the weather

) and use the Traveling Toddler to cart the carseat around, it might not be so bad to take the My Ride.

Have a good trip!

mommytogilly · Nov 29, 2010

Thanks for the reply. He is more comfortable in the My Ride. Thanks for telling me about the locking clip, I would not have even thought about that.
I will show that link to my husband, looks like a good idea.

HayleyCPST · Dec 3, 2010

British Airways does not allow rear facing car seats on their flights, so you'll have to FF him on that leg.

I'd recommend bringing the MR. For some reason, the Scenera takes up more room front to back than the MR does, at least in my car. Plus you won't need noodles or a towel and can install it quickly.

Of the 2 cars I rented in ZA (one was a Nissan Micra, the other a Corsa), none of them had ISOFIX or LATCH, so you'll need to use the seat belt. Bring a locking clip just in case.

So, I'm guessing you're flying from Orlando to London, then London to Joburg or cape town?

Have so much fun! I was there for 8 months, just got back in August!

ETA: they only weigh your carry ons when you're leaving south africa. It must be under 8kgs or they will get really mad at you! I had to talk my way out of my 13kg backpack/purse thing with some Xhosa.

car seat for international travel?

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