3 year old too tall for Scenera needs travel seat

I've searched and read so many posts I'm going cross-eyed, but I haven't found an answer for my problem.

I need a ff seat that will comfortably and easily go on a plane for my very tall 3 year old and that is easy to carry for layovers and will work well in the rental van as well, of course.

Long version/extra detail:

DD3 is turning 3 this week, and we are flying cross-country in 3 months. After a nightmare of a trip taking our Nauti's on similar flights a few years back, DH has sworn off flying with car seats. The older two are big enough that we are just packing backless boosters, but my 3 year old has put me in a quandary. DH wanted to fly sans seat and then leave me at the airport with the kids while he ran across the street to Walmart to pick up a Scenera, but I just sat DD3 in one, and she's already maxing out the height, with her shoulders almost coming above the highest slots. No way that will work 3 months from now. I'm not sure how much DH will be willing to spend on a travel seat, but there's no way we would take our Nauti's again, or our other seat, which is a beast of a Marathon. DH will not want to take anything on the plane at all, so I'm also open to car-only approved options. Not sure what our budget is, but since we don't need any seats for home use, this will only be for travel, and I obviously don't want to pay a fortune.

DD3 is forward facing, so we don't want or need a rf'ing seat.

She'll need something on the plane, right? Are you planning to use a Cares harness? If not, you should carry on a car seat.

Good options include the Evenflo Maestro and Evenflo Sureride. The Sureride is a convertible, but is inexpensive, lightweight, harnesses to 65 pounds, and has taller top harness slots than nearly any other car seat on the market. The Maestro costs slightly less and can be used as a booster, but is outgrown much sooner.

lgenne said:

She'll need something on the plane, right? Are you planning to use a Cares harness? If not, you should carry on a car seat.

Good options include the Evenflo Maestro and Evenflo Sureride. The Sureride is a convertible, but is inexpensive, lightweight, harnesses to 65 pounds, and has taller top harness slots than nearly any other car seat on the market. The Maestro costs slightly less and can be used as a booster, but is outgrown much sooner.

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Yes, I believe she'll need something on the plane, but DH doesn't think she does...it's a conversation in progress.

Thanks, I'll take a look at those seats.

Keep in mind the plane lap belt doesn't fit children until they are around 40 pounds, or more if they are skinny. And the cares harness doesn't tighten or keep them from unbuckling the lap belt. I would also think she would be more comfortable in a car seat seat and less likely to fidget/kick the seat in front of her and sleep if it's a long flight. I'd bring a maestro as they are fairly cheap, lightweight and tall enough to be a backup/travel seat for the next few years.

http://carseatblog.com/25408/recommended-carseats-for-airplane-travel/

Scroll down to FF seats. I have spent too much time there lately.

HTH,
Mamabear to 4

1mommy said:

Keep in mind the plane lap belt doesn't fit children until they are around 40 pounds, or more if they are skinny. And the cares harness doesn't tighten or keep them from unbuckling the lap belt. I would also think she would be more comfortable in a car seat seat and less likely to fidget/kick the seat in front of her and sleep if it's a long flight. I'd bring a maestro as they are fairly cheap, lightweight and tall enough to be a backup/travel seat for the next few years.

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I absolutely agree! I broached the subject with DH last night, and I don't think he's going to put up a fight over taking one seat.
I'll take DD somewhere that I can check out the maestro so I can see how it would fit her and how easy it would be to carry.

mamabearof3 said:

http://carseatblog.com/25408/recommended-carseats-for-airplane-travel/

Scroll down to FF seats. I have spent too much time there lately.

HTH,
Mamabear to 4

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Thanks! I like being able to see pictures of them all together, too.

We have a Maestro that we absolutely love for our super tall 3 yo (42"). It's the Grandparent seat and is super light and easy to install in just about anything. Would highly recommend it for travel.

The Sureride would be a good choice too, and actually has higher harness slots for the longevity of the seat. I haven't used one, so I can't speak to the ease of install etc, but with a tall kiddo, those high harness slots are appealing.