So its recommended we FF on the plane? We have a 2 hour flight, then a 1 hour layover then another 2 hour flight. Is there an advantage besides the person in front being able to recline? Is it easier to see/care for the child this way?
And I've heard that the coccoro can be hard to install in some cars which is really what worries me, is that just with the seatbelt, as long as have latch it should be ok?
Also I wasn't planning on taking a stroller as we wont need it once we arrive, I was thinking about strapping the seat to a carry on suitcase and getting my husband to pull him instead of me pushing a stroller and a carry on, although maybe I could get away with checking the bag and just pushing him with the diaper bag attached to the stroller. Hmm lots to think about!
There are lots of ways to get through the airport if there are two of you! No worries on that front, just be creative.
From a safety perspective, I'm totally comfortable FF on a plane though I won't do it in a car at this age. RF would have totally blocked the front seat's recline and we had a 12hr flight, so no question for us. Honestly I don't think it matters, just personal preference. FF was also easier to read books together or for DS to watch movies on the built in screen (23mo + 12hr flight = movie marathon!). RF would have been easier for feeding him and using the kindle (though he managed the latter *just fine* while FF).
I have had no trouble installing in cars a few cars (CR-V, Camry, European BMW 1-series). The LATCH install is easy enough, you just have to unsnap the cover and keep the belt in the little guides. I find it helpful to manually pull on the strap and then use the "tail" to tighten while still holding taut. Does that make sense? I'm not sure where you heard that it was hard. The curved base helps it play nicely with different cars. We got a Scenara previously for travel and THAT was hard. The CCO is a cake walk by comparison.
I've only done seatbelt once as practice, but if you're staying in the US where all cars for the last 10+ years have locking belts it would be just like installing an infant seat without the base. If you'll be outside the US or in a car with non-locking seat belts then you can either do euro routing (I haven't quite gotten this down yet, though some swear it's easy) or use the included locking clip (haven't needed it, but will soon). It's easy enough to use that we plan to put it in the babysitter's car (no LATCH or locking seat belts!) once she starts driving DS home from preschool this winter.